“Generation iY” by Morgan Hopper

From a chick born in 1990, this post may seem a little strange. Here we go, nonetheless!

I can no longer count on two hands the amount of times Millennial jokes have been thrown in my direction since I entered the workforce almost 3 and half years ago.

*Millennials have the attention span of a gold fish.

*We’re contributing nothing to society.

*We don’t know how to work hard.

*We’re narcissistic and entitled…

We get it, we get it.

Recently, I was introduced to the idea of Generation iY, which is specifically people my age and younger.

According to Leadership Now, Generation iY is the younger group of Millennials born after 1990. Our world has been defined by technology and shaped by the Internet— iPod, iBook, iPhone, iChat, iMovie, iPad, and iTunes (thanks Apple!)—and for many of us, life is pretty much about “I,” says Tim Elmore in Generation iY.

I always found statements like this offensive. I was raised to be selfless and to serve others. I give when I have extra to give and always try to  help others who ask for it. I make an effort to not stray too far from those teachings, but I also don’t feel the need to flaunt it very often. I think that’s where I differ from other girls my age and I’m A-Okay with that.

I’m not saying that my Facebook and Instagram aren’t polluted with pictures of my boyfriend and adorable four-legged child. I would be lying if I said I didn’t take pictures to remember things on a daily basis. Especially when I cook something that turns out halfway decent, because Lord knows that THAT is a miracle.

I. Love. Pictures.

But I think I’ve begun to notice the difference in enjoying the moment and ruining it with a 15 minute photo shoot to get the perfect shot just to see how many people will “like”  it.

I have a select handful of friends that I’ve kept around for more than a decade, and they will probably read this nodding their heads and smiling. However, I made it my goal this past year to make new friends and put myself out there. I quickly discovered that Generation iY is the real deal.

I have been in situations where I’ve missed the band playing because it was more important to try and get the perfect picture. I’ve worn coordinating and matching outfits for the sake of good pictures. I’ve witnessed people complaining while serving with a church and then posting a picture a few hours later about how great it was to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus.

This doesn’t sit well with me.

I want to be so busy living my life to glorify God that I forget to take pictures. I want to be forced to discuss happy memories with friends and family. I want to work hard to be the light in the world and forget that my phone is in my purse. I want to detach from the technology aspect of being social and actually be social.

So, this is my vow. I want to drop the i from my Y. Here’s to taking less pictures of myself and more of beautiful things that God has created for us to enjoy. Here’s to remembering that even if it’s not on Snapchat, it still happened. Here’s to looking at those I’m at dinner with, instead of taking pictures of my food. And here is to enjoying the beautiful people that God has gifted me with.

About the Author: Morgan Hopper

Morgan is a Huntsville native who loves Jesus, rescue dogs and anything literary. She enjoys sharing about her walk with God and speaking life to everyone she meets. Morgan works for Fleet Feet Huntsville as a marketing director, which blends her adoration of running with her passion for helping others. Catch up with Morgan on her blog, https://southernlysaid.wordpress.com/2016/10/18/iy/

Tags: Generation iY, Huntsville, Morgan Hopper, Our City On A Hill, social media