Millennials: The Perplexed Generation !

Before my fellow millennials start cussing me over the title of this blog, let me clarify that I am, indeed, a millennial myself. I don’t intend to put anyone down; rather, this piece arises from a curiosity cultivated through interactions with various demographic age groups and a self-awareness of the traits we often share within our generation. Over time, I’ve managed to navigate and gradually overcome many of these biases, thanks to my decade-long journey in investments, which has instilled in me patience and a greater command over emotional decisions, particularly in the realm of finance. Although I usually focus on factual writing, this topic—though outside my typical genre—directly relates to decision-making and its impact on investments. The title may come across as overly generalized, and for that, I stand with you in solidarity. As with any self-reflection, this analysis has its own limitations.

In India, millennials occupy a unique position in generational history. Born in an era where we spent childhoods chasing kites and playing gully cricket, we then witnessed the technological transformation that shaped our youth. Unlike Generation Z, who have been connected to the internet since childhood, or Baby Boomers, who were largely untouched by rapid tech advances in their prime years, millennials live between two worlds: pre- and post-digital. This duality is both captivating and, at times, confusing, especially when it comes to decision-making and navigating social influence.

For Baby Boomers, life has maintained a certain clarity. Take my father, for instance—he has zero presence on social media and remains entirely unbothered by it. Millennials, however, feel the constant pull of FOMO, balancing fondness for personal interactions with the pressure to stay visible online. Gen Z, by contrast, seamlessly adopts digital presence as a natural extension of identity, more attuned to technology’s tools without the millennial struggle of adjustment.

This “confusion” among millennials seeps into our investment behavior too. We often wrestle with competing emotional drivers: a desire for stability tied to nostalgic values and the urge to participate in current financial trends. A recent survey reveals that around 52% of millennials feel uncertain about their financial futures, despite being among the most educated generations. Behavioral finance expert Daniel Kahneman might consider this a classic case of “loss aversion”—our instinct to avoid perceived loss is so strong that it sometimes clouds effective decision-making.

The challenge, then, is to become aware of these generational biases. The duality that defines millennials can, if recognized, serve as a powerful advantage. By consciously acknowledging our ties to both the “real” and digital realms, we can begin making choices that honor our past while aligning with our future financial goals.

Disclaimer: These reflections are purely discretionary and do not imply any demographic precedence over another. I share them here with a sense of curiosity, hoping to connect with like-minded readers and discover whether these observations resonate—or if I’m merely navigating my own existential questions (a jest, of course!). Let me know if you enjoyed this genre; it’s a new venture for me, and I trust it adds a thoughtful perspective to the conversation.