National – In a stunning revelation that has rocked the foundations of social media and therapy circles alike, members of Generation Z have come to the mind-blowing conclusion that the toxic, traumatic, and abusive world they inhabit is not an apocalyptic anomaly but rather a mundane, everyday occurrence.
“I always thought my existential dread and constant anxiety were signs of some impending societal collapse,” admitted 22-year-old TikTok influencer Madison Fomo. “But after scrolling through some ancient memes and watching a few too many episodes of ‘Friends,’ I’ve realized this is just life.”
The epiphany struck when a group of Gen Zers stumbled upon a collection of historical documents, known colloquially as “old movies” and “books,” in a dusty corner of the internet. These artifacts depicted previous generations also grappling with oppressive systems, economic instability, and relentless existential crises.
“We were absolutely floored,” said Kyle Overwhelmed, a 19-year-old self-proclaimed professional meme curator. “Turns out, boomers and Gen X had their own versions of doomscrolling. They just called it ‘watching the news’ and ‘reading newspapers.’ Wild.”
Psychologists across the globe are now scrambling to redefine their understanding of generational trauma. Dr. Ima Shrink, a renowned expert in millennial malaise, explained, “We initially believed that the rise in anxiety and depression among young people was due to the unprecedented challenges of the digital age. But now we see that enduring a soul-crushing existence has always been part of the human experience.”
Gen Z’s new outlook is reshaping their approach to daily life. Instead of striving for utopian social change, many are embracing the nihilistic wisdom of their predecessors. “If our parents and grandparents could survive decades of cold wars, financial crises, and disco, surely we can handle a few more years of climate change and late-stage capitalism,” mused Jenna Burntout, a 20-year-old college dropout turned life coach.
Meanwhile, corporations are eagerly capitalizing on this revelation. Major brands have launched ad campaigns celebrating the banal horrors of everyday existence. “Why be anxious alone when you can be anxious with a Frappuccino?” quipped a recent Starbucks billboard. Amazon has even introduced a new Prime feature: 24-hour delivery of coping mechanisms, including weighted blankets, essential oils, and a variety pack of ironic t-shirts that say, “This Is Fine.”
Despite the bleak acceptance, some Gen Zers remain hopeful. “We’ve realized that every generation thinks the world is ending,” said 21-year-old optimist Bree Brightside. “So maybe that means we’ll find a way to make things better, or at least make it to next week’s episode of whatever show we’re binge-watching.”
As Gen Z grapples with their newfound understanding, one thing is clear: the world may be a relentless dumpster fire, but at least they have each other—and a Wi-Fi connection to complain about it.
Gen Z discovers reality’s ugly truth Gen Z discovers reality’s ugly truth
