Latest news with #Millennials
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
The loneliness of remote work: 7 signs Gen Z and millennials are quietly struggling
When remote work became mainstream, it felt like a generational win — especially for Gen Z and Millennials, who had long questioned rigid office culture. Finally, we had the freedom to work from anywhere, wear what we wanted, and reclaim time for ourselves. But several years in, the happy-phase is over. What many young professionals are now experiencing isn't just burnout — it's the slow, quiet ache of disconnection. There are no watercooler chats, no after-work plans, and often, no real sense of community. Remote work has solved many problems, but it has also created new ones — and for Gen Z and Millennials, those problems often go unseen. Here are 7 signs remote work is quietly taking a toll — and what you can actually do to push back. You're communicating constantly, but still feel disconnected Sure, you ping coworkers with memes or drop emojis in Slack threads. But without real, unplanned human interactions — quick coffee breaks, casual brainstorming, or shared side-eyes during meetings — remote communication can feel mechanical, even isolating. Zoom fatigue doesn't help either. When every interaction is scheduled, performative, or boxed into a rectangle, connection starts to feel like a chore. What to do: Start small: DM a teammate just to check in, without a work agenda. Join casual online spaces like hobby channels, meme groups, or book clubs. Opt for voice or walk-and-talk calls to reduce screen fatigue. You're working hard, but feel like no one notices You hit deadlines. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo You're responsive. You're 'on.' But somehow, you feel invisible. In remote settings, visibility isn't automatic. If you're introverted, new, or not physically in the room, it's easy to be overlooked for mentorship, projects, or praise — even if you're delivering results. What to do: Share your wins in team channels to keep your work visible. Ask your manager for feedback and clarify your growth path. Volunteer for cross-functional or public-facing projects. You're never truly off the clock Your bedroom doubles as your office. Emails bleed into dinner. Slack notifications buzz long after dark. 'Work from anywhere' can quickly become 'work all the time.' Without boundaries, rest becomes optional — and guilt about 'not doing enough' becomes constant. What to do: Create hard stops: shut your laptop, switch locations, change clothes. Block time for meals, breaks, and walks — and treat them like meetings. Use structure tools like Pomodoro timers or focus apps to reclaim routine. You feel stuck in your career before it even begins Many Gen Z professionals started their careers remotely — with no real office, onboarding, or mentor presence. That means missing the unspoken stuff: observing how meetings work, learning through casual chats, or being pulled into conversations you didn't know you needed. Without these moments, early-career growth can stall — or feel like a lonely uphill climb. What to do: Ask to shadow teams or join optional calls just to learn. Schedule regular 1:1s with leaders, even for informal chats. Seek out internal mentorship or buddy programs. You're struggling mentally, but no one sees it Remote work lets you hide in plain sight. You can smile on camera, type 'All good!' in chat, and disappear when it gets hard. And because others don't see your body language, mood, or silence, you might suffer for weeks without anyone checking in. The worst part? You may start thinking you should be okay — that flexibility should cancel out everything else. What to do: Normalize emotional check-ins, even with close coworkers. Use therapy apps, journaling tools, or peer support groups. Take personal days — you don't need to justify rest. You feel ungrounded, even if you're free to roam Remote work gives the illusion of freedom — digital nomads, travel, independence. But in reality, many feel emotionally untethered. Without a consistent environment or local network, it's hard to build routine or belonging. Eventually, you start asking: Where do I actually belong? What to do: Stay in one place long enough to form local routines. Anchor your week with habits — co-working days, recurring meetups, favorite cafés. You miss real community The office once gave us built-in friendships, mentors, even roommates. Now? Community isn't handed to you — you have to create it. Across platforms, across time zones, with intention and courage. It's hard work. But without it, remote life can feel emotionally starved. What to do: Host recurring virtual or real life gatherings — game nights, dinner parties, clubs. Join alumni meetups, coworking mixers, or professional Slack communities. Don't wait for invites. Be the person who reaches out. Remote work still offers freedom, flexibility, and autonomy. But it also demands more from us — more self-advocacy, more structure, and more effort to stay connected. If you're feeling lonely, stuck, or unseen, you're not doing it wrong. You're just discovering what remote work doesn't automatically provide: real connection, mentorship, emotional safety, and a sense of place. The question isn't how to be more productive from home — it's how to feel more human while doing it. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
The Star
7 hours ago
- General
- The Star
Trending terms in bad romance
AFTER countless swipes on the dating app, Ryan (not his real name) thought he had found his soulmate. A woman named Lisa with whom he had been texting regularly, seemed the perfect fit. Initially, her texts were thoughtful and kind, conveying warmth, making 24-year-old Ryan feel wanted and needed. But it did not last. Gradually, her messages became shorter and more infrequent. Soon, Ryan found himself wondering what went wrong. The heartbroken and dejected Ryan is not the only person in the world of dating to have gone through this experience. He had just been lovebombed. Around the world, such slang terms connected to dating, coined by either Gen X, Gen Y (Millennials) or Gen Z are being popularised through social media platforms, dating apps, and online forums such as Reddit, TikTok and Twitter (now X). These terms have even caught on with online medical forums and dictionaries, and are being employed by professionals in understanding the language of love used by both young and old when relationships go sour. These terms are not limited to just the generations mentioned above, as even Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation are known to use them too. StarMetro takes a look at some modern terms used to describe the landmines in the dating world. Lovebombing is when a person shows intense affection in early stages of a relationship, followed by sudden or gradual emotional withdrawal. Lovebombing What Ryan experienced is known as lovebombing. This is usually characterised by intense affection by the pursuing partner in a relationship's early stages, followed by sudden or gradual emotional withdrawal. A 2017 study titled 'Love-bombing: A Narcissistic Approach to Relationship Formation' carried out by multiple universities in the US, defined lovebombing as excessive communication and overwhelming attention at the start of a romantic relationship, used to gain power and control over the other person. The term can be traced back to a controversial religious sect in the 1970s who used manipulative strategy to control its members. As Ryan began to feel valued, an emotional bond was formed between him and Lisa. However, this initial emotional high state also left him vulnerable to manipulation, leading to eventual heartbreak. Gaslighting is when someone makes you doubt your own feelings or reality in order to gain control or avoid blame. Gaslighting To gain clarity on where he stood, Ryan confronted Lisa about their relationship status, reminding her of her sweet promises. Much to his chagrin, Lisa denied ever making such promises, despite being presented with screenshots of their conversations. This is a form of gaslighting. Oxford Dictionary defines gaslighting as psychological manipulation in which a person seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual, making one question his or her own memory, perception or sanity. The term came from a British play Gaslight in the 1930s, and subsequent film where a husband manipulates his wife to make her doubt her own sanity. A 2024 study 'A Qualitative Analysis of Gaslighting in Romantic Relationships', published in Personal Relationships journal, described gaslighting as a psychological abuse that may affect both men and women. It did, however, note that a significant percentage of perpetrators are men. Ghosting Ghosting occurs when one party suddenly stops all communication without prior warning, leaving the other confused and hurt. According to Cambridge Dictionary, ghosting is ending a relationship by suddenly stopping communication with someone. A 2023 survey by a US-based therapy and counselling service Thriving Center of Psychology found that 84% of people reported having experienced ghosting. Another study 'What is (not) ghosting?' published in 2025 in Computers in Human Behavior Reports journal said ghosting often leads to emotional distress, confusion and damage to self-esteem. Jennice Vilhaue of the American Psychological Association's Speaking of Psychology podcast said, 'Ghosting is a heartbreaking fact in the modern dating world. 'It's when a friend or someone you've been dating disappears from contact with no explanation. Ghosting can shatter self-esteem and hurt just as much as physical pain.' If not addressed, victims may also develop trust issues in future relationships. Future faking is when a person makes promises that he or she never intends to fulfil. This is done to gain someone's trust. Future faking Sarah has always dreamed of marrying and starting a family. The 25-year-old met Mike, whom she thought shared her goals and values. In addition to talking about marriage and children, Mike also made promises about going on holidays together. After dating for sometime, none of their plans ever materialised and Sarah soon found herself heartbroken when Mike left. Sarah is a victim of future- faking. Future faking occurs when a person makes promises he or she never intends to fulfil, to gain someone's trust. It is designed to create a false sense of security and emotional attachment, thus keeping the partner emotionally invested. An article in Psychology Today published on July 2 last year described future faking as 'lovebombing on steroids'. Breadcrumbing involves giving minimal attention to keep someone interested without any intention of taking the relationship to the next level. Breadcrumbing After the break-up, Sarah thought her ordeal with Mike was over but she was mistaken. In months that followed, she began getting messages from her ex, though none of them indicated that he was ready to commit and work through their issues. The inconsistent and irregular messages kept her emotionally hooked and unable to move on. This is referred to as breadcrumbing. The term is said to have originated from the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale where the children left breadcrumbs on their trail. A 2023 study 'Attachment Insecurity and Breadcrumbing Engagement in Young Adults' conducted by researchers in India and Spain said breadcrumbing involves giving minimal, sporadic attention, such as vague messages or social media interactions, to keep someone interested without any intention for the relationship to progress. The messages that Sarah received were 'crumbs of affections' keeping her invested in Mike but causing her confusion and trapped in a toxic situation. Pocketing is keeping a romantic partner hidden from family and friends, showing hesitation to fully commit to a relationship. Pocketing Sarah resumed her relationship with Mike. In weeks that followed, she began noticing that he was avoiding her. He refused to introduce Sarah to his family and wider social circle, leaving Sarah feeling socially isolated. This is a sign of pocketing, a new term that gained popularity among Millennials and Gen Z on social media. It is often taken to mean the act of keeping a romantic partner hidden from family and friends, indicating reluctance to commit fully. Cultural pressures and family expectations to maintain a certain image may lead one to resort to pocketing. Pocketing leaves a heavy toll on victims, sparking insecurity and trust issues. Slow fading Emma, 27, has been seeing her boyfriend Ben for two years when she noticed the communication between them dwindling. Soon, plans got cancelled at the last minute and Ben started making excuses, before cutting her off completely from his life. Almost similar to ghosting, slow fading takes place more gradually as a partner decreases contact in phases, leaving the other person in a state of ambiguity. Slow fading usually leaves a person without closure, making it difficult for the victim to make sense of what had transpired. As for Emma, she did not realise the relationship had ended until weeks later, leaving her hurt and traumatised. Orbiting Months passed and Emma started feeling stronger after signing up for therapy and counselling. But soon, her ex's name began appearing in her notifications – as Ben was following her stories and status updates on social media, even liking her posts and pictures. Yet, he never made direct contact with Emma, leaving her confused about his intention. This behaviour is called orbiting, in which a person makes minimal effort to remain on someone's radar. Orbiting is the new dating terminology said to have been coined by an online blog site. A 2022 study in Journal of Social and Personal Relationships said orbiting was a sign of emotional ambivalence where a person has difficulty in detaching yet not wanting to commit fully. In an article on University of Milano-Bicocca's Milan Social Psychology associate professor Dr Luca Pancani said that in orbiting, the disengager (in this case Ben) will follow the victim (Emma) on social networking sites after the breakup. The article said, 'With the advent of the digital era, these practices have become increasingly common thus gaining the attention of researchers'. Paper clipping Weeks went by before Emma heard from Ben again. 'Hey, what's up?' read his message. Though short and casual, it was enough to bring up memories Emma wanted to leave behind. In the next few months, Ben continued sending similar messages sporadically, though he fell short of stating his intentions. According to reports, paper clipping is when someone you have lost contact with resurfaces sporadically with minimal engagement, just enough to keep you as an option but without an intention to commit. Paper clipping comes from Clippy, the early 2000 Microsoft animated paperclip figure that pops up on and off, offering tips and suggestions. Benching After six months of going on dates with Adam, Nadia had hoped he would finally define their relationship. But her hopes were dashed when she found out that Adam was seeing other women too. Adam had been benching her – a term used when someone keeps another as a backup option. By keeping connections casual and non-exclusive, a bencher gets to enjoy freedom without being tied down by commitment. A 2023 article in The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health highlighted that the rise in online dating has promoted benching behaviours, largely thanks to illusions of endless options on dating apps. Benching creates uncertainty and leaves the recipient feeling undervalued. *All names of interviewees have been changed to protect their identities.
Axios
10 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
Axios Event: Young consumers want realness from brands
CANNES, France – Young consumers are demanding authenticity, interactivity and relevance from media and brands with which they engage, said creators and industry leaders at an Axios event at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Why it matters: Millennials and Gen Z spending is outpacing the broader global population and companies are looking for ways to capitalize on that. Axios' Sara Fischer and Kerry Flynn spoke with podcast host Jake Shane, Spotify chief public affairs officer Dustee Jenkins, Business Insider CEO Barbara Peng and Dotdash Meredith CEO Neil Vogel at the June 18 event, sponsored by Uber Advertising. What they're saying: Young consumers are seeking more than just words about a brand's authenticity. "For Gen Z in particular, video podcasts have really grown. … They not only want to hear you, they want to see and feel exactly what's playing out," Jenkins said. "It speaks to this idea of tapping into culture. Culture is unfolding on platforms like Spotify, it's unfolding through the creators." "Influencing inherently is like an authentic thing," said Shane, the host of "Therapuss with Jake Shane." "If you're an influencer, you're a tastemaker, you're influencing people, and the only way you're actually able to do that is if you are like authentically yourself." Media companies are shifting attention to original video and smart TV platforms where audiences are watching long-form content. Business Insider's videos are watched for about 14 billion minutes a year. "A lot of it is YouTube, where we have audiences that want to engage very deeply with us," Peng said. "We have over 10 original series, and people like to watch that not only on their mobile phones but with the rise of smart TV and a lot of the streaming options, that's been huge." As for Dotdash Meredith and its repertoire of legacy brands, Vogel says it doesn't matter where consumers are finding their content, what matters is that they are engaging with it. "We get traffic from everywhere to our web – but we also don't care," he said. "I could care less if you're in the app, if you are on the website, if you read the magazine, if you're on TikTok or Instagram. As long as you are part of our brand, we can figure it out." "You can't say 'I am going to make Gen Z love me.' That's the quickest way to make Gen Z or any gen not like you. You just have to be authentic to what you do." On the creation of its unique app that had elements of its editorial content as well as Instagram and TikTok, Vogel added: "We didn't want to make an app until we could figure out how to do something special that would resonate with Gen Z." Content from the sponsored segment: In a View From the Top conversation, Uber's global head of advertising Kristi Argyilan said the company is the "platform of now" as it taps into cultural moments through concert rides, food deliveries and its newly launched creative studio. "That creative studio is designed specifically to cater to what we're hearing loud and clear from what we call 'Gen Uber,'" Argyilan said. "And this is a large group of consumers who want to be able to flip from digital world to physical world at a flip of a switch. And so we're bringing these activations that brands participate in that acknowledge their participation on our app but then also … eventually the destination they go to."
Forbes
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Forbes
A Great Nation Or What? Poll Responses Over Time
In 1955, the Gallup Organization asked Americans to suppose they were talking in a general way about the United States and other countries. The organization then asked which of three statements came closer to the respondent's point of view. Two-thirds chose the response that the United States was the 'greatest country in the world, better than all other countries in every possible way.' Thirty-one percent believed the US was 'a great country but so are certain other countries.' And finally, 1% said that in many other respects, certain other countries were better than the US. A version of this question has been asked occasionally by pollsters ever since. A 1998 survey of parents done for Public Agenda found 84% believed the United States was 'a unique country that stands for something special in the world,' while 13% said the US is 'just another country whose system is no better or worse than other countries.' In 2011, the Pew Research Center began asking another version. That year, 38% responded that 'the U.S. stands above all other countries in the world,' while 53% said the U.S. was 'one of the greatest countries in the world, along with some others.' Eight percent said there were other countries that were better than the U.S. The 38% response has been trending downward unevenly, and in 2024, using a different methodology, 20% said the US stands above, while 55% said there were other countries that were also great. Twenty-four percent said there were other countries that were better, three times as many as had given that response in 2011. The Chicago Council for Global Affairs presents a binary choice: 'Some people say the United States has a unique character that makes it the greatest country in the world. Others say that every country is unique, and the United States is no greater than other nations.' In 2012, 70% chose greatest country response, while 29% opted for the 'no greater than other nations.' In 2023, the last time they asked the question, there was a big change in the no greater response: almost as many, 47%, chose it while 52% chose the greatest country. The Chicago Council looked at the responses by generations and found that majorities of the oldest generation, the Baby Boomers, and Gen X-ers all opted for the greatest response. Millennials, born in 1981 and beginning to come of age in the mid-1990s, were different. Just 40% of Millennials chose this response, and 59% opted for the no greater one. Other pollsters show the same generational differences with Millennials and younger generations more skeptical than their elders about the US's role. The Council noted that racial and ethnic differences to the question were small. In 2009 Barack Obama gave an interview in which he was asked whether he subscribed to the view of many of his predecessors that America was uniquely qualified to lead the world, that it was exceptional. He responded that he believed in American exceptionalism 'just as I suspect the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism . . .' He went on to extol America's great accomplishments and strong ideals, concluding that because we have a lot to offer that we should still recognize the values and ideals of other countries. Obama's views are one of many factors that may have influenced members of younger generations. Their own coming of age experiences also have played a role. Exceptionalism did not mean America was better; it meant that we were different, with a different history, some facets of which are unique. One of those unique characteristics is optimism. Even in these deeply polarized times, most Americans still believe America's best days are ahead. Like the exceptionalism question, pollsters ask about optimism in different ways, and in most of them, including a new poll from Quinnipiac released last week, optimism beats pessimism. In the new poll, 53% said America's best days were ahead, and 40% behind. Differences about presidents, policies, and priorities are real, but most Americans still believe the US is a force for good, a great country with problems and potential.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Buy Now, Pay Later loans popular among Gen Z, Millennials will soon affect credit scores
FICO announced it will begin factoring in Buy Now, Pay Later loans into people's credit scores starting in the fall of 2025. Credit scores affect Americans' ability to get a loan, buy a car or home, rent an apartment, and more. FICO, the data analytics company whose credit models are used in the majority of lending decisions, said scores accounting for BNPL loans will give lenders a more comprehensive view of consumers' repayment behaviors. In a joint study simulating the inclusion of BNPL data with Affirm, FICO found score impacts were generally consistent with the opening of a new account, meaning scores improved or decreased by about 10 points for the majority of consumers. FICO offers several scoring models. NerdWallet spokesperson Sara Rathner said lenders adopting new scoring takes time and most consumers likely won't notice the change this fall. 'Different scoring models are designed for different focuses,' Rathner said. "It could be years before these are largely adopted in decision making and they might not be adopted by lenders for all types of borrowing. ' Still, FICO said the introduction of this new kind of scoring represents a significant shift, as lenders catch up with consumers' growing reliance on BNPL loans. More: What is the average credit score and how is it measured? Expert tips on how to raise yours Younger generations appear to be digital BNPL loans' most common adopters. Apps like Klarna, Affirm, and Afterpay have made securing the loans easy. In many cases, it can be done on a mobile device, often without a hard credit check, and consumers can take on many loans at once. Use of these loans among Gen Z and Millennials seems to have accelerated over the last year, with about 10% of each cohort taking advantage of them, a new Bank of America report found. This comes following a three-year period of slowing use after digital BNPL platforms saw a rise in popularity. 'For some people it's because it's convenient, but there are some who are reaching for it because they've perhaps been a bit financially stressed,' said David Tinsley, senior economist at the Bank of America Institute. For those responsibly using BNPL loans to delay payments for big purchases like a home appliance, computer, or wedding dress, the FICO change could actually improve their credit score. Rathner said credit institutions had already found ways to factor in missed or late payments into people's scores, but this change could give people more recognition for their habits of paying off loans on time. 'We're certainly seeing this acknowledgement that there are lots of different ways consumers are financially responsible,' she said. 'So it is absolutely beneficial to consumers to factor that type of behavior into decision making when evaluating them for a loan.' Tinsley said while some gravitate toward BNPL loans as a way to spread out payments knowing they'll have the cash to make them, some low-income consumers with higher rates of delinquency also use them. Of course, for consumers taking on several BNPL loans at once and not paying them off, FICO's new scoring model could be another way for lenders to clearly identify that behavior. Rathner advises consumers to read the fine print before agreeing to a BNPL loan and ensure they know how much they will need to pay at what time. 'Keep that in mind with all of your other financial obligations, especially if you're using Buy Now, Pay Later frequently and you have multiple plans going on all at once,' she said. Tinsley said consumers should remember that BNPL loans usually put them on a stricter repayment schedule than credit cards. So, while they may have an initial zero-interest grace period, they will usually also have less flexibility. If people can't make the payments on time, they can be hit with late fees and interst rates equal to or greater than those they would have faced if they made the purchase with a credit card. 'Buy now pay later can be an incredible tool,' Rathner said, if you 'enter in knowing you have the money to pay it off.' If consumers are concerned about how BNPL loans are affecting their credit score, Rathner encourages them to check their score online. Checking your own score won't make it drop. Make sure it's accurate, Rathner says. If you see an account listed you don't remember opening, that could be a sign of fraud or an error. Report it to the credit bureau and the financial institution. If you apply for a loan and are denied or unhappy with the terms offered, don't be afraid to speak up. 'Speak to the lender about the factors that went into their decision and they can help you understand whether or not there are actions you can take that would improve your odds later,' she said. If consumers believe a lender's decision was unfair and based on inaccurate information, they can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Reach Rachel Barber at rbarber@ and follow her on X @rachelbarber_ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Buy now, Pay Later loans will soon affect FICO scores
