Millennial existentialism

When I first coined “Millennial existentialism,” I meant it to describe the angst and unique existential dilemma faced by my generation — those born between 1981 and 1996. Globalization, the internet, climate change, AI… We are shaped by a convergence of societal, technological, and environmental changes, and face questions previous generations haven’t — or do we? 

What I didn’t anticipate were the layers of meaning behind these two words: millennial and existentialism.

“Existentialism” is a philosophical movement that emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries, with thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus playing significant roles — though they did not identify as “existentialists.” Existentialism explores themes of individual freedom, choice, responsibility, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent or absurd world.

While the word “Millennial” describes Generation Y who came of age in 2000 at the turn of the new millennium, “millennial” is an adjective that refers to a period of a thousand years, figuratively qualifying something that spans over a significant period of time.

With this in mind, I think Millennial existentialism is a perspective that delves into the fundamental questions of our existence, acknowledging the interplay between individual lives and the broader historical, cultural, and technological shifts that unfold across generations.

It seeks to explore the endurance and continuity of these questions across distinct epochs,  regardless of time or place, and investigates how different generations grapple with and answer similar questions and challenges.

So maybe “millennial existentialism” is the relationship between a generation and the timeless, enduring questions that have persisted across time. And “Millennial existentialism” is the focus on how my generation, Milllennials, is responding.

For me, this exploration is fueled by a relentless desire to discover a transcending principle and  reveal our interconnectedness.

This fundamental intuition is the heart of my poetic pursuit.