Our human community has evolved exponentially from the Silent Generation to the new Generation Alphas. Think about what humanity has been through from the 1800s until 2022. Imagine if the people who created the Steam Locomotive could see today's self-driving cars. But it isn't the material things that will cause Generation Alpha's need to transfigure and shift. The social environments, exposure to violence, and social awareness will drive the need for adaptions that will create the most significant metamorphic evolution in all future generations. Each generation has endured pain and suffering and had to adapt to cope, which is how we approach life.

Merriam-Webster states that the new term "adulting" started around 2008/2009. Because of how much social environment changes have impacted our children's lives, they have had to adapt and evolve to cope. Changes are sometimes not so helpful, but we can't deny them because they play an intricate part in shaping us. Amy hopes you enjoy this newsletter explaining our Zillennials (or Zoomers) and Generation Z's difficulties with being an adult.

Amy learned something interesting as she started Aspire, LLC. She has found that our young people are struggling to "adult," and they are reaching out for help. Parents are also reaching out for help because it is challenging to teach your adult child to "adult." This trend has intrigued Amy to research "adulting" and make it the main topic of new information in Aspire's newsletter.

Amy spoke briefly at a business community breakfast and used "adulting" as if everyone knew what it meant. She was wrong. So let's start there. Rosemary K.M. Sword and Philip Zimbardo, Ph.D., wrote an article titled Rebooting 2022 for a Fresh Awakening. Their definition of adulting is discovering what you need versus what you want. This concept is difficult for our young adults today for many reasons. Sword & Zimbardo continue to talk about how understanding this need over want helps one to put life into perspective. Amy feels that many of our young people lack perspective, which significantly contributes to their lack of growth in adulting.

Rachel Burris' of Rocket HQ, Detroit, MI (2022) research found that the challenges of Zillennials and Gen Z stem from a conflict between their desires and attainable goals. Their findings seem to marry with Sword and Zimbardo's definition of adulting. Burris also writes societal expectations create tension for Zillennials and Gen Zs that struggle to find ways to act like adults. The financial pressures cause them to feel much more like children.

Also, Zillennials and Gen Zs are in debt at such an early age, whether it be college, low wage-earning, rental hikes, the rise of prices in grocery, gas, etc. Many Zillennials and Gen Z still rely on their parents for financial support. This does not allow them to grow into full adults independent from caregivers.

Also, 90% of young adults are on social media; and we all know that social media can exacerbate anyone's struggles. They deal with unhealthy comparisons that leave them feeling inadequate and even with feelings of despair. The COVID-19 pandemic did not make being a young adult easier; it only caused another setback for our adolescents and young adults. Zillennials and Gen Zs went through the pandemic at a crucial time when they should have been developing their adulting skills. Our current young adults were isolated, not working, moving back in with their parents, and spending more time on social media. The pandemic also stunted the growth of adulthood in many (those aged 18-24).

Young people aged 18-24 need help. Parents are reaching out to coaches to support their young adults because it is so difficult for our young adults to hear their parents, and it is difficult for parents to teach these skills with empathy for what their children experienced during their generation. It can cause a rift in the parent-adult child relationship. That is why coaches are seeing a rise in this area of personal development. And Amy of Aspire is no different; she too can coach young adults so they feel empowered and in control of the skill-building they need to move forward.

(Zillennials also identify as Zoomers) Check out the generation chart by clicking on the link below this article.

Laguna Shores Behavioral Health in CA does a great job explaining "adulting." And they have a great list of what young adults don't do, don't know how to do, and won't do; however, it is not getting done. Here are a few:

• Buying tires for your car
• Getting the oil changed in their car
• Cooking a meal from scratch, instead of ordering out or popping a frozen pizza in the oven
• Paying bills on time
• Writing checks
• Applying for a loan
• Making appointments with doctors, dentists, hairdressers, etc.
• Unclogging a sink
• Comparison shopping
• Fixing a running toilet
• Doing laundry, reading the care labels on clothing (understanding the symbols)
• Menu planning
• Balancing a bank account
• Creating a budget and sticking to it
• Keeping financial records
• Understanding insurances, like; renter's, life, care, and health
• Grocery Shopping (with a budget in mind)
• Light a pilot light
• Basic household tasks
• Taking good care of the things they have
• Initiating (anything)
• Balancing living a responsible life with social fun times
• Being resourceful (using what you have and not going out to buy what you think you need)
• Managing time, being on time
• Being prepared for work, school, events, and responsibilities to others

You may find some helpful information if you go to the resource page on the CBC's website.

Alec Miller and Lata McGinn of Cognitive and Behavioral Consultants in Manhattan and Westchester wrote a blog titled, Young Adults & Parents need Assistance, and they have a short list of interesting statistics.

• About 4.7 million young people aged 18-24 aren't in school or have a job
• Out of 2.2 million young people aged 24-25 live with their parents, and one in four do not go to school or work
• About one in three young people aged 18-34 (yes, 34) rely on their parents for financial support
• 61% of parents are doing too much for their adult children these days (2022)

This video is excellent. It seems to be for women, but many of her points are for anyone, regardless of gender. It is worth the watch!

While this newsletter focuses on adulting, that is not the only experience that holds people back from achieving the life they want to live. Here is a sample list of topics people come to work on at Aspire:

• Caretaking of a loved one
• Finding new opportunities to get involved in (spreading wings)
• All types of relationships
• Impulsive shopping/ spending remorse
• Sleep issues
• Managing work life and home life
• Executive Functioning Skills
• Just life (some individuals come to work on whatever is happening at the moment)
• All types of transitions
• Learning to live without a partner (death or break up)
• Career unhappiness/ career exploring

Every client's session is individual, so topics vary.

Give Amy a shot and sign up for a 30-minute discovery session, at no cost to you, with no pressure to become a client. The session is informational and allows clients to get to meet Amy to see if she may be a good fit. Go to www.aspireself.com to schedule an appointment.

If this newsletter resonates with you or your adult children need help, I am here, just a phone call, email, or Zoom away. Aspire tackles many of life's challenges that keep people stuck or hold them back from achieving goals or being in the place they want to be at this point and time in their life. Check out the contact information and reach out. I am always available for a 30-minute discovery session at no cost to you and with no pressure to continue. Schedule an appointment; I would love to meet you.

Email: amy@aspireself.com
Website: www.aspireself.com
Location: 19 Main Street, New Milford, CT, USA
Phone: 860.222.0797
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aspire.amyjacques
Twitter: @aspirebyamy