Now Trending: Vulnerability

Blame it on the Internet

There’s a widespread narrative about how fragile Generation Z is—how we’re too sensitive, too quick to seek therapy, and how we just “can’t handle things” as previous generations did. But when we look at the generations before us who followed this same advice, we must ask: for every person who “dealt with it,” how many were quietly suffering, lost along the way? Sure, that old-school “toughness” may have been effective for some, but at what cost? Maybe nothing can fully “fix” the weight of the world, but we’re trying something different. We’re creating new definitions of resilience—ones that allow us to stay connected to ourselves and each other. This is the evolution of care; it’s not weakness, it’s survival.

We are living in an age where information is instant, constant, and often overwhelming. Never before has a generation been exposed to such a flood of global crises. Every day, we are inundated with images of wars, climate catastrophes, economic instability, and human suffering. These events are often shared in bite-sized formats on social media, news apps, and online forums—delivered straight to our phones in real-time. It’s an emotional exhaustion unlike anything previous generations experienced, and it can be hard to keep up with the overwhelming pace of both life and the news cycle.

Yet, despite this deluge of information, our generation doesn’t simply endure. We pause, reflect, and question. We prioritize mental health in a way that challenges old norms and insists on a more compassionate worldview. For us, acknowledging our emotions—whether joy, anger, sadness, or fear—is not a weakness. It’s how we make sense of a chaotic world. We have learned that in order to thrive, we must first understand and take care of ourselves.

As we navigate these complexities, one emerging issue stands out: the commodification of our feelings. This, rather than our emotional expression, is the true target. Vulnerability, self-care, mental health, it all seems to be getting turned into a product. From “mindfulness apps” to “self-care kits,” these once deeply personal practices have become marketable trends. The irony here is undeniable, while we’re actively trying to better understand and address our emotional well-being, there’s an industry keen on turning those very emotions into a source of profit.

Take therapy, for example. For us, therapy has become an essential resource, a vital part of staying grounded in a world that’s always shifting. But increasingly, therapy has been marketed as part of the broader self-care trend, a luxury service packaged with the promise of instant happiness. What was once seen as a tool for healing has now been transformed into something that fits neatly within the larger wellness culture, often reduced to just another “must-have” on the path to personal perfection. It’s capitalism at its finest, rebranding mental health as a commodity, while obscuring its true value: emotional and psychological support.

And yet, dismissing therapy or any form of emotional support simply because it’s been commercialized is not the solution. Rather than perpetuate harmful stereotypes or resist these practices, we should be focusing on how to regulate and maintain their integrity. Therapy should be recognized for what it truly is: an essential tool for emotional resilience, not a luxury or a trend. We need to resist the narrative that “fixing” ourselves is an indulgence. In a world where traditional support systems have eroded, therapy offers continuity, consistency, and a steady hand in a rapidly evolving social landscape.

Unlike previous generations, who adhered to more rigid social structures and expectations, we lack a clear blueprint to follow. Our world is evolving too quickly—technologically, socially, and politically. The systems that once guided older generations, often prioritizing survival over emotional expression, have fractured. In their place, we’re left grappling with a reality that shifts constantly beneath our feet.

For us, vulnerability has become an essential tool for navigating these changes. When we “vent” or “complain,” it’s not about seeking attention—it’s about making sense of a fragmented world. Expression allows us to acknowledge our problems and validate our emotions. There’s immense relief in recognizing what we’re going through and giving it a name.

Dismissing the psychology of our minds is akin to rejecting medical care. Mental health deserves the same legitimacy as physical health. As we process and express our feelings, we’re laying the groundwork for personal resilience. We’re figuring out who we are in a landscape where the lines between what’s real and what’s curated are increasingly blurred. This is the work of survival in the digital age.

Social media is both a blessing and a curse in our journey toward emotional wellness. On the one hand, it connects us, allows us to share our stories, and creates a sense of community. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z has the ability to create and share content with ease. Social media serves as a window into the world, connecting people who might never have crossed paths and giving a platform to voices that have historically been unheard. Over time, this promotes awareness and opens minds to new ways of thinking.

However, the vastness of our digital worlds can be overwhelming. It is one of the cause of our mental health issues. Social media surrounds us with idealized images—perfect bodies, perfect lives, perfect moments. The constant exposure to these curated versions of reality can take a heavy toll on our self-worth, even when we know, intellectually, that they’re merely highlights and not the full picture.

Here lies the true value of therapy in the modern age. It offers a sanctuary from the pressure to measure up to digital standards and the harshness of a world constantly at our fingertips. Therapy provides us with a stable sense of self, one that isn't reliant on likes, shares, or digital applause. We need it because we’ve moved past the ‘just deal with it’ mentality, believe us, we’ve tried.

We’re navigating a complex world with open eyes, acknowledging our emotions, and doing our best to thrive amidst the chaos. We’re rejecting the outdated notion that resilience means burying our feelings, and instead, we’re redefining strength to prioritize vulnerability and self-awareness. Most importantly, we are young! Yes, we are emotional and abrasive, weren’t you all once? We might take longer to work through things, not because we don’t want to grow, but because the world doesn’t allow us to fully experience growth. Our adolescence feels stunted, shaped by circumstances beyond our control. Therapy, mental health resources, and self-care are not indulgences, they are essential tools for our survival and emotional well-being. We must strive to create a world where vulnerability is valued, not mistaken for weakness, and where emotional well-being is seen as fundamental to living a fulfilling life.

Rather than seeing ourselves as dependent on these trends, we’re equipping ourselves with strategies to manage and protect our emotional experiences. It’s a process—one that may succeed or face setbacks. But ultimately, we’re aiming for more than just survival. We want lives imbued with purpose, genuine connection, and intentional care.