Filipino boomers think that Gen Z Filipinos are all just kids who are obsessed with TikTok or are still taking their first steps. That’s their first mistake — a handful of us are already in the workplace or are already living on their own.

While that’s perfectly fine, what we don’t appreciate are these labels old people love giving us to dismiss what we have to say. What they don’t know is they’re the ones who end up looking like fools because picking a fight with someone half their age just makes them look insecure.

Here are six of the worst things we keep hearing about Gen Z Filipinos that need to be put to bed.

1. You don’t know anything.

While wisdom does come with age, it doesn’t mean that we don’t know what we’re doing or saying. Filipino boomers love to claim that we don’t know anything when we speak about something remotely political. But when our opinions are backed up with facts or simply consider basic human rights, then maybe they should listen to what we have to say.

It’s just a universal truth that you aren’t treated seriously the younger you are. So imagine how tired we are pointing out valid and research-based arguments but having them fly over people’s heads because we have a little less wrinkles on our face.

2. You get offended too easily.

I’ll be the first to say that this is true to an extent. Twitter and Instagram are a cesspool of eager Gen Z Filipinos cancelling people over the smallest of things. But most of the time, we are offended when someone does or says something which reinforces a culture of hate and oppression.

Trust us, we have better things to do than to tweet about what’s offending us for the day. But when activists are getting killed left and right for simply fighting for what we are owed, the worst thing a person can do is to sit back and watch things happen. Have you ever thought that maybe we wouldn’t be offended all the time if there’s nothing to be offended about?

We’ve already pointed out why calling us snowflakes is not a good idea. And if you don’t see anything wrong with what we’re ranting about, maybe it’s time to educate yourself.

3. You’re wrong because back in the day…

It’s hard to accept that the world has changed so much the past years. Filipino adults should realize that their values and traditions aged along with them. Not everything that was taboo back then is still taboo now. For example, same-sex relationships and premarital sex are more widely-accepted now than they were back then.

Being vehemently against children for supporting or engaging in these things because they didn’t fly in society back then is a lame excuse. Just say you’re judgmental and move along. The Philippines is still a country dominated by religious beliefs, and there’s still a lot of work to be done in terms of truly “accepting” these so-called taboos. But we don’t have to shun anyone just because of what society back then thought.

It’s 2020. If you have access to the internet, then you should know why it’s so easy for Gen Z Filipinos to accept people from different backgrounds. We are constantly exposed to diverse views from all over the country and world.

4. You’re overreacting.

This line can pertain to a lot of things, but let’s shine a light on how some older people just disregard mental health so easily. Depression exists and suicide rate is increasing in the Philippines. Yet there are those who still can’t get it in their heads that these issues do happen to more people than they think.

When you tell someone who is experiencing anxiety attacks or fighting a silent battle against suicidal thoughts that they’re overreacting, what do you think they’ll feel? Do you think they’ll be comfortable confiding in you next time?

It wasn’t an issue back then because people didn’t have a name for it; hell, I didn’t even know what mental health was until I was in college back in 2016. But now that there is more awareness around the idea of mental health, there is no excuse for someone who has heard about it to dismiss it completely. When a parent doesn’t believe a child who says that they may be depressed, it’s just blatant disregard on their part.

5. You have it easy.

Listen, we totally understand why you may think that everything is easy nowadays. The advances in technology from the moment we were born have been nothing short of amazing. We are appreciative of the fact that we can have a message sent over instantly, and be able to watch a show we choose anytime we want.

But it’s unfair to think that our life is sunshine and rainbows. Gen Z Filipinos face problems which are unique to a generation that grew up with the internet. Cyberbullying springs to mind as a prevalent example. Catphishing, sexual harassment in dating apps, and death threats sent through the internet are also things that some of us have fallen victim to.

Additionally, our late teens and twenties are supposed to be some of the best years of our lives, yet we are growing up in a world that’s doomed to fail. If you think we’re overreacting again, then you probably haven’t educated yourself about climate change even if its effects are staring you right at the face. The intense typhoons will kill us if not gunshots from policemen.

Guess which generation our current leaders are from. Now, guess which generation will have to clean up the mess in the future while taking all the blame.

So no, we do not have it easy. And even if we do, you are not a better person for having it harder.

We have a lot to say about older generations looking down on Gen Z Filipinos. Read our open letter to boomers. Never miss out on anything by following us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The post 5 Things Gen Z Filipinos are Sick of Hearing from Adults appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

If you asked me who I was at the start of the year when we were living life like it was meant to be lived, I couldn’t tell you.

That person in the chilly evenings of January is nothing now but a shell of myself.  It was laughable— the way I let the world bully me into submission.  The earth treated me like I was some sort of victim that it could just toy around with.

And I didn’t just let it happen, I allowed it.

It was March when the news trickled in about the big hairy enemy we’re still facing to this day: coronavirus.

I remember reading about lockdowns and cases spiking and just being in awe of the whole thing. It never occurred to me, the gravity of it all. The pandemic was nothing but a novelty that would go away after two months at most.

I didn’t realize how much it would shake up the world.

So much that even the pavement I used to walk on Marcos Highway feels so foreign to me now. How something as mundane as picking vegetables in the grocery has become deplorable. But the biggest surprise was how much it would shake me up.

Early in the year, I let the world bully me into submission.

It was April and I felt my mind going to dark places.

I mean, it was nothing new but there was nothing to look forward to when I woke up in the morning. Who are we to turn to when the people who are supposed to help are the ones tightening the rope around our neck?

I had already carved a path in my head on how I was gonna be standing in the sun at the end of it all. But the days have been anything but sunny and breezy. Every day, it seems like there’s a new reason to be furious at Him. I was never a religious person but I always made it a point to be thankful and pray before going to sleep.

How was I going to do that when people around me were dying?

People who were nicer, people who had mouths to feed, and people who were never given a fair chance at life?

I wish I’d wake up one day to my privilege being stolen from me, by a thief in the night who had no choice to do it if he wanted his baby to live. Like some sort of Robin Hood who steals privilege but has good intentions.

It was May, and the world was still burning.

Everything in its path caught on fire, and the firemen have given up trying to put it out. Instead, they kept asking for money from other grander and richer fire stations. Not to get more fire trucks or fire hoses mind you, but to dine in Michelin-star restaurants.

When you’ve boxed yourself in as a victim for so long in your life, it’s hard to get out. At some point though, by hook or by crook, you are going to break. There wasn’t really anything that triggered me, but rather a series of small events.

Early in the year, I let the world bully me into submission. But I’ve had enough.  

Locked in the house for days, I was seated with people who didn’t care. It’s hard to have the mind of a young dreamer when you’re surrounded by those who only got furious about how undercooked or overcooked the food on the table was. They didn’t even give a damn that the unlucky ones didn’t have food… or a table.

My dignity? I never had it.

Their respect? I don’t want it.

Peace? Not with rich people who only cared about rich problems.

It was June, and I only found myself getting angrier.

The world wasn’t the one pushing me around anymore, but a bunch of armed old men who got off on inciting fear. And somewhere along the way, I started the discovery process of my identity as a brown man.

Even when George Floyd and Breonna Taylor lived a million miles away, the pain was felt strongly in my heart.

But I knew that anger alone wasn’t healthy for me. It was so unlike me.

That’s when I rediscovered my passion for writing.

And through the things I wrote, I was able to convey my thoughts as articulately as I could. I was and am not a writer by any means because that sounds too pretentious a term for someone who just needs an emotional outlet.

It was July and I felt the anger inside me start to go to my brain, and not my heart like it used to.

When I said something, it was because I knew I had a point. I was becoming more confident and sure, and I knew that I didn’t need to apologize for anything I said because I meant it.

They saw shades of the angry brown boy who spoke too much about politics on Twitter. I wasn’t gonna give them an out by keeping quiet on their problematic rhetoric like I used to.

If there’s anything I learned throughout this hellish year, it’s that being outspoken takes you places, takes you there quicker. I did catch myself wondering “what the hell did I just say” too many times than I can count.

Sometimes I feel like I’ve become too fearless for my own good.

And sometimes, I feel like I’ve become too mean. But I tell myself that the anger I feel is justified.

In any case, if God forbid I regret the person I’ve grown up to be, I can always blame it on the pandemic.

Loved this article? Continue to delve into zoomers’ state of mind here. Never miss out on anything by following us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The post Coronavirus Made Me Angrier and More Outspoken appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

I know that I would be bigger and more successful than I am today if it wasn’t for my being shy, and my lack of self-esteem holding me back. Being shy was cute when I was dough-eyed and could barely pronounce words with more than three syllables.

But now that I’m older, it has done nothing except rob me of experiences that could’ve potentially changed my life. The worst part is that even if I’m aware of this fact, I can’t bring myself to turn off the switch.

My shyness has become part of me.

Intimidating myself into silence

When I was growing up, I was that kid who would barely say a peep. My teachers would always tell my mom that they wished I was noisier in class. It came to the point that my mom didn’t even have to go to these meetings because she knew that was all they were going to say about me.

I told myself that it was because the other kids intimidated me — that I didn’t really get along with my classmates because they were as loud and proud as a blinking neon sign.

To add to that, I didn’t have the looks, talent, nor interests that the “cool people” had growing up. So when you were that easy to bully, it was better to keep quiet instead of ruffling anyone’s feathers.

But as I started to become confident of who I was as a person, I realized that it wasn’t the other people suppressing my voice.

It’s the demon inside my head that keeps telling me it’s better to shut up and stay in my own comfort zone.

The unexplainable anxiety

The worst part about being shy is that it can attack you out of nowhere! I can do all the motivational inner monologues and power poses I want, but the anxiety that comes with being shy will just keep coming back.

This can manifest itself in a lot of ways like bumbling like an idiot in front of a crowd or pretending not to hear or read something that was sent to me. It’s not like I don’t know what to say, but I just can’t bring myself to spit it out.

And that is what’s so frustrating!

People don’t realize that every time I have to put myself out there, it literally drains so much of my physical and mental energy. I could present my ideas to the same people a thousand times, but still get the jitters by the 1001st time.

The “shy attacks” just come during the absolute worst times… the times when I have to be at the top of your game.

Saying no comes with the gig

Being shy means saying no to amazing possibilities because of fear. Honestly, I get so upset when I look back at all the times I had refused to take on something just because I was a dangerous combination of shy and afraid.

During the rare moments that life has passed me the ball, I just stand there and feel so… small. Before I know it, my mind has already created infinite imaginary scenarios that all end with my inevitable failure. So instead of running with it, I simply throw it back at life.

Then there are times where I know what I need to do to get ahead.

Unfortunately, that path is filled with having to deal with other people which I just can’t do without getting a heart attack. Just thinking of reaching out to strangers or any living creature is something that I find difficult to do because of the fear that I have planted in my brain.

I know that I can achieve my goals and how to reach them if only I wasn’t an overthinker. If I could learn how to shut off my brain for a while, I swear I would be so much better off.

Keeping quiet kills you

Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to do something but someone swoops in to finish the job because you just sat there and did nothing? Well, welcome to the club!

A lot of times, I’ve watched as other people have taken an opportunity that was right in front of me. An opportunity that I wanted.

Instead of taking it for myself, I constantly let fear and anxiety get the best of me. I mean even if I wanted to, I can’t blame anybody but myself for that.

And there comes a point in life where these moments of denying yourself opportunities pile up and take a toll on you. For shy people, dreaming about the what if’s are a constant battle that eats away at them.

There are times when I would beat myself up over chances I’ve passed up from eons ago. They haunt me in my sleep!

I know I could be the star of the show, but I just settle for being a B+ player. And you know why that is? Because of fear.

The other obstacle

Where does this fear of speaking up and showing off come from? For me, it all stems from a damaged self-esteem.

Sometimes I wonder if I’m okay with being good enough when I know I could do so much more.

Even if I am somewhat confident in my skills, there’s always something inside me that feels like I am simply not meant to be bigger. I tell myself that I’m not bad but I will never be extraordinary.

I’ve come to a point where I am so aware of my own mistakes that I’m always the first one to criticize everything I do.

Aside from that, I also suffer a lot from pretty bad imposter syndrome. Any moment now, I feel like people will finally catch on that I’m not as good as they make me out to be — that I’m simply a fraud.

It’s gotten so bad that most of the time, I don’t believe compliments and praise about myself and my work anymore. Don’t get me wrong. I’m okay receiving them but deep inside, they don’t really reassure me that I’m good.

What now?

This is usually the part in the article where I give some words of wisdom, but honestly I don’t have much to impart now. I feel like this problem has been cooking up my entire life, so it’s gonna take some time for me to nip this in the bud.

Although, what has been helping me is directly putting myself in the line of fire, so to speak. Sometimes before my mind even catches itself thinking, I already open my mouth to say something and let instinct take over.

Because the moment I let doubt seep into my brain, I curl back to my own little shell.

I know there are people who can relate to my experience too. Since this is such an “internal” problem, I think the only way we could get out of it is making the conscious everyday choices to keep the demon in our head quiet.

Who knows, maybe this is a problem that will never go away. But as long as we are able to keep our shyness from making choices that make us happy, we should be okay.

Want to hear more about our state of mind and other random thoughts about how we see the world? Click here. Never miss anything by following us on our social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Featured Image: Anna Shvets from Pexels

The post Being Shy with a Low Self-Esteem Has Gotten Me Nowhere appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

For some reason, older generations really like to assume we’re all about TikTok and K-pop fancams. So what we’re gonna do is take the narrative from them, and create a list of Gen Z stereotypes that we can actually get into.

Just to warn you, we are placing a trigger warning for number 4, because there is a slight discussion about suicide.

1. Between us and boomers, we’re not the snowflake.

Our generation has been tagged as “snowflakes” for getting easily offended over certain things. But honestly, that doesn’t really affect us as much as boomers think. When we voice our opinion, we’re most likely doing it for good reason.

Calling us snowflakes has just become a way for older people to discredit outspoken zoomers who bring up valid points.

Say, remember when boomers got pretty offended over “OK boomer” last year? I still laugh my ass off when I think about it.

2. Diversity is in our bloodstream.

Growing up with the internet in our pockets has made it easier for us to accept people who come from different backgrounds.

We have always had access to apps and resources that make us truly appreciate what it means to live in a global community. There’s Youtube to watch vloggers of different ethnicities, Spotify to explore different sounds from all over the world, Netflix to experience various languages and cultures secondhand… and the list goes on!

There are definitely still bigots in Gen Z, but it’s easier to educate ourselves and change each other’s mindsets when Reddit and Google are always in our disposal.

3. Everyone knows a little astrology.

There are two types of zoomers on the internet: people who are into astrology, and friends of people who are into astrology.

No matter how much you’ve tried to avoid it, you probably know a thing or two about the different signs. You also know that zodiac signs are so last year. Of course you’d have to know your moon and rising signs too, duh!

To the boomer reading this, we know astrology isn’t real. It’s just fun for us.

But, I can point you to the direction where anti-vaxxers and flat earthers are. Maybe that’s where you should direct your negative energy instead. Let our astro-loving asses be!

4. We always kinda want to die. Not really, but yes.

If there’s something you should know about Generation Z, it’s that death isn’t really such a taboo subject for us to discuss.

There are days when zoomers would casually tell each other that we want to die, and no one in our circle would bat an eye. It’s not really a “joke”, but it’s just a statement that has an inkling of truth to it.

Most of the time though, we do make sure the person who said it is truly fine. Talking about death and self-harm with friends has thankfully become normal.

Here’s a quick test: try deciphering this: i.w.t.k.m.s.b.i.d.w.m.f.a.f.t.b.s. If you get what this means without Googling it, then you’re probably a zoomer!

5. Our sense of humor doesn’t make sense.

Ah, Gen Z humor. Some call it quirky, some call it stupid. Honestly, I couldn’t even begin to explain why I find certain Gen Z memes funny, and I don’t think other zoomers can too.

We’ve come to a point where the most random jokes just make so much sense to us.

6. We have the shortest attention spans.

Ever notice how songs are getting shorter? It’s because our attention span is only at 8 seconds, so music had to adjust to get to the good parts faster.

More than that, we’re bombarded with so many content that we can literally jump from one video or song to the next without skipping a beat. There’s a reason why Gen Z stereotypes will never not include TikTok, and that’s because we absolutely love short bite-sized content.

Maybe this explains why we suddenly find ourselves watching FBE React videos an hour later when we’re supposed to be studying.

7. Books are not our (only) thing.

To many people, it might come as a shock that zoomers actually read. But technology has evolved so much during our time that traditional print books aren’t our only source of knowledge anymore.

I have not touched a book in almost a year (not proud of that one) but I am able to learn about the world and my personal interests through podcasts, videos, and online articles. Some of you may be surprised to hear this, but many content creators have also taken to TikTok videos to educate others on social issues and other things. Crazily enough, most of them are entertaining and easy to follow so they actually work!

8. We’re shameless AF.

There are some things that come out of our mouths that older generations may find shocking. But that comes with the brand, Jan. Young people nowadays will probably say what they want to say for better or for worse.

We were born into a shitty world, so try to understand.

More than that, we have been able to create an open and safer environment for each other. Boys will hug boys, boys will openly cry, girls will speak up against sexist jokes, straight people will be in public places with queers.

A conversation among zoomers could go from “how was your day” to “what are your thoughts on abortion” real quick. Hell, I could talk about wanting to be in an open polyamorous relationship, and zoomers will be all “me too”! There are not a lot of taboo topics with us.

The world is changing, ma’am. Obviously, not everyone is there yet. But the fact that these things have become more normal in our generation is astounding.

9. We easily get scared…

I will literally spend the whole night getting anxiety over saying hi to a teacher the next day. The same goes for when I’m sending a long message to a friend, going to a relative’s birthday party, making small talk with the cashier… you name it and I’m probably scared of it.

10. … but we’re ready to fight.

When we see injustices that affect our community, we will fearlessly take off the gloves and defend our principles. We will move heaven and earth to protect those who can’t protect themselves.

If y’all are gonna choose to attack something that a zoomer believes is important, then you better tread carefully.

There’s gonna be a bloody war.

We may be scared of the littlest things, but we’re definitely not scared of fighting ignorance and stupidity. Boomers, to the left!

Even though I just gave you ten Gen Z stereotypes, it’s important to note that I do not speak for all zoomers. I am extremely lucky to have met people that made me experience all these positive things about our generation. With that said, not everyone in Gen Z subscribes to all of these things because stereotypes are just that: stereotypes.

More than that, zoomers from all over the world have diverse upbringings and beliefs that a list like this just cannot document everyone’s experience.

The important thing is that when we talk about Gen Z stereotypes, they have to come from zoomers ourselves. We cannot let people from other generation who cannot relate to our struggles paint us in a dishonest light.

Want to hear more life commentary from zoomers? Head on over to the Thoughts section! Never miss anything by following us on our social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Featured Image: Kon Karampelas

The post Here’s a List of 10 Gen Z Stereotypes Made By a Zoomer appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Congratulations to the new batch of “gradwaiting” and graduating students! Now, it’s time for you to face the real world. The post-graduation life is both confusing and overwhelming, but the lessons you’ll learn are endless. It’s been a year since I graduated, but I’ve learned more about the world in the past months than I have in the four years that I’ve been a student. Here are some lessons and tips for graduates in the Philippines that I want to share from the experiences of both myself and my friends.

1. Rest before you find a job.

If your parents aren’t kicking you out of your house or forcing you to get a job, take a break. Not everyone has the privilege of being able to rest after college. So if you do, take the chance! You will thank yourself later.

It’s tempting to go job-hunting when you’re worried about competition, but rest doesn’t come so easily as a working adult anymore. I’ve heard many friends tell me they regret not taking a break after college because they were instantly burnt out after they landed a job.

Remember: life isn’t a race, it’s a marathon.

2. Finding a job isn’t instant.

When I was a college senior, I really thought it would be easy to secure a job. But obviously, I was wrong. There are a lot of things you’d have to do, like prepare a killer resume and/or portfolio, filter through jobs and companies, send out e-mails, and ace job interviews.

As a fresh graduate, you’d find a lot of jobs that is beyond your experience level. Reality is, there are also many companies who will not get back to your job application. These things delayed how long the job-hunting process for me. Luckily, the internet is full of tips for graduates in the Philippines that will ensure that you get that dream job.

I was lucky enough that everything only took me a month and a half. For some, it took three months or even more. If you’re going to rest after college, make sure you’re realistic with the timetable that you set when it pertains to job-hunting.

3. You will meet people who are so different from you.

This one is kind of obvious, but you won’t really realize how true it is until you’re out there. When you’re in school, you more or less grow up thinking the same as your classmates and friends.

However, once you get out of that bubble, you will inevitably meet people who have different opinions and mindsets as yours. There will be people who will make you think: what kind of messed-up environment did they grow up in?

You thought you had the patience and tolerance to deal with those people? We’ll see.

4. Finding friends isn’t easy.

My college friends and I would talk about this a lot when we first started. In school, there are many opportunities to make new friends through classes, and extracurricular activities.

However, it’s kind of tough to create new connections after college because you’d have to willingly put your foot forward. You’d have to put some effort in finding people to talk to, which may be an introvert’s worst nightmare.

On top of my head, you can meet people through Tinder, mutual friends, workout classes, or work. So there are options, but no one’s going to force you to be friends with anyone anymore except yourself.

5. Doing vices was a phase for many people.

College was a playground for experimentation. For many of us, it was the “wildest” phase of our young lives where we were into sex, drugs, smoking, and alcohol.

Now that we have bigger problems to take care, those things have taken a backseat. Most of my friends who doubled down on vices during college eventually grew out of them.

Of course some of us still do engage in them, but don’t be surprised if your lasinggero friend isn’t always up for blackout nights anymore. Oh, and just to make it clear, we don’t condone the use of any illegal drugs here. Please stop if you are.

6. College friends are forever… or not.

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Post-graduation is a great test of that.

I’ve already drifted apart from friends whom I thought I was going to be close with forever. But I’ve also forged even deeper connections with a few of the people I met in college even when we started working.

There is definitely some effort involved in maintaining the friendships that you have, so it’s up to you to decide which ones are worth fighting for.

7. Everyone has their own lives.

In college, it was easier to be there for your friends when you saw each other regularly.

But in the real world, it’s sometimes hard to find time and energy to be there for each other.

As you’re making all of these adjustments in life, it’s hard not to get caught up in your own little world. There will come a point where you’ll think you’re a crappy friend, but the guilt is perfectly normal. You can’t be there for everyone all the time, and not everyone can be there for you all the time too.

The important thing is the effort you exert in finding time for each other, because that alone speaks volumes.

8. College did not prepare you for the important stuff.

I can tell you about some communication theories and frameworks that I learned in college, but I’d be lying if I said I knew how taxes worked.

The post-graduate life has taught me that I was clueless about a lot of important, real-life stuff. For instance, knowing how to apply for SSS, PAG-IBIG, PhilHealth, TIN, and NBI Clearance was a task I needed to learn on my own. Back in August, I was involved in a car accident, but had no idea how insurance worked. Also, don’t even get me started on bills.

One of the most important tips for graduates in the Philippines is to do your research as early as now!

Looking back, I wish I had some sort of guidance on how to go about them. And I’m sure there will be more surprise life lessons to come.

9. You can’t take away the school from the graduate.

Unfortunately, you will be judged a lot by the school you graduated from, especially if it’s relatively well-known.

There are a lot of times when I’ve heard I only act a certain way because I came from UP. Which is a slap in the face, because I am more than my school. That’s why I’ve decided to always refrain from telling people where I went to college unless it’s relevant to the topic.

Whether you like it or not, you represent your school and your school represents you too.

10. Priorities change.

I remember being quite ambitious after I had just graduated from college. There were big dreams that I wanted to follow. But shit (that I’m probably gonna blog about soon) happened, and now, I just want to be happy.

When I was still in college, I always planned to work in the developmental sector through an NGO. However, when I had to go the corporate route because NGOs wouldn’t hire fresh graduates, I realized that I needed to work on myself and my hard skills first.

Truth is, most of us don’t know what the hell we want in life. Because of that, the things we find important will definitely change.

We will all go through certain events that will lead us to constantly rethink the things we hold dear and the path we ought to take.

11. People change.

It’s hard to accept, but you know it’s gonna happen.

The people around you will not be the same people they were in college. Everyone will face different obstacles and triumphs that will shape the way they think, feel, and behave. Sometimes, you won’t even recognize who they are anymore.

But it’s not just them. You will change, too. It’s human nature so don’t try to fight it.

However, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Most of the time, people change for the better.

With everything have been said, I hope I didn’t scare you too much. Because trust me, life after college can be difficult, exhausting, and downright mean. But it’s also exciting and magical. This is the beginning of your lifelong journey to becoming your own person.

Once again, congratulations to the 2020 graduates! May you show the world how beautiful zoomers can be.

Got more tips for graduates in the Philippines? Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to share the post to your graduating friends!

Make sure to find more pieces of advice for zoomers here if you enjoyed reading through our tips for graduates in the Philippines.

Featured Image: Emily Ranquist on Pexels

The post 11 Lessons for College Graduates I Wish I Knew Before appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

You’re lost, and you’re at a scary point in your life. You can’t help but feel like you need someone older to guide you. But it’s okay, young grasshopper. You don’t need a mentor.

Going through the maze of life is already confusing in and of itself. But trying to find my way through the darkness without somebody holding the proverbial flashlight for me is unbelievably difficult. While the only thing some people wish for in life is a faithful lover or a loving child, I’ve always asked the higher beings for something else: a mentor. Oh, how I envy the people who have that special someone with the right answers to all their questions — a crystal ball that holds all the wisdom that they need to conquer the road ahead.

As much as I love to tout that I’m an independent boy, I can’t help but feel like I’m missing out on so much in life when I feel like I’m doing it on my own. I mean sure, I have a strong support system in my family and friends. I’ve even had college professors who were beyond inspirational. But I always felt like I was never a Cory Matthews to any Mr. Feeny’s. Nobody has really believed that much in me that they decided to take me under their wing.

Not gonna lie, that fact in of itself has really messed with my self-esteem. My relationships with my teachers are one-way admiration at best.

It’s not anyone’s fault though; I get total social anxiety talking to people of authority. I don’t know what it is, but I have a difficult time talking to older people like they’re actual human beings. I tend to treat them as people I have to be nice to, rather than people I can pour out my soul to. And it just gets harder for me to connect with them because I have it inside my head that they don’t really like me. After all, they only get to see the side of me that’s designed to impress, rather than somebody whom they can root for.

No one really believes in me. At least, I don’t think so.

And that’s what makes it so frustrating.

During the times where I have little to no confidence in myself, there’s no one to assure me that I can do it and actually mean it. There is nobody who will leave me be in arduous situations to find my own way, but keep a watchful eye to make sure I’m okay. There is nobody I can talk to about what I want to do in the future and tell me that I can do way better. There is nobody who will be tough on me and eloquently debrief me once l’ve learned my lesson.

These are the times I think to myself… I need a mentor.

While my friends are a good soundboard for all my personal frustrations, I feel like it’s different when advice comes from someone who knows what they’re talking about. Digging deeper, I guess that’s also why I invest so heavily in watching television shows and movies; I’ve substituted the mentor figure in my life with a mere electronic gadget displaying color and playing sounds.

For instance, Meredith Grey from Grey’s Anatomy is someone I’ve attached myself so deeply to. Even though she’s just a TV character, I’ve witnessed her go through the endless ups and downs of life for over 15 years that the show has been on air. There’s something about watching a surgeon overcome personal and professional obstacles that inspire me to become better.

And it’s not just her.

There are talented television writers who know how to craft true-to-life scripts and quotable one-liners that make me stop and ponder on my own life. I know that any scene, line, or character arc that moves me to tears was probably written by somebody who has experienced something similar in their own lives. Hence, it must be credible.

And as delusional as it may sound, I always feel like those particular scenes were written especially for me, as if God was talking to me through the television.

I guess a little delusion is needed to survive this mentor-less life.

Because when you feel like nobody is there to give you words of wisdom, you’ll find a sense of authority in the characters you see on screen. Or the characters in your book, a Disney Channel Original Movie, a tear-jerking Jollibee commercial… every line with a hint of semblance to your own life will sound like gospel. And you run with it.

Some of the pivotal decisions I have made are all thanks to television. Pursuing a communications degree was all thanks to Scandal’s Olivia Pope and my fleeting dream of becoming a crisis fixer. Then at some point before senior year, I swore that it was my destiny to become a doctor just like Meredith Grey. And after binge-watching some Shark Tank episodes, I swore that I was born to be a successful entrepreneur like Mark Cuban. Okay, that one’s not fictional, but the point stands.

Who knows what fortune a show will bring me next time?

I guess what I want to try to say is, you don’t really need a mentor. But it will require you some inner stability, unfounded self-confidence, and creative ways of motivating yourself. For me, it was watching television and living vicariously through the characters. As you get used to it though, you’ll slowly learn how to depend more on the voice inside of you.

Now that I’m twenty-two, I know that it’s not too late for me to find someone to fill that particular void in my life. But even if I never get one, I’ll be okay. Because I realize that I’ve only gotten better as a person without depending on anyone else. I learned to pick myself up and find my way around with just me shining the light.

At the very least, I feel like I’m doing my part in making sure that other people who feel like they need a mentor can look up to me even in the littlest ways. I am definitely not the best choice to be anybody’s role model by any means, but hey, there’s no harm in trying.

When I found my groove in college, I really took it upon myself to step up in leadership roles. What started out as a way to prepare myself for my own future (and a kick-ass resume) became an enjoyable avenue to influence people younger than myself. You can pay forward something that wasn’t passed onto you.

That’s what life’s like when you can’t confide your goals and dreams to people older than you.

It will feel aimless at times, but you’ll find yourself reaching the finish line somehow. There’ll probably be a lot of mistakes made, but because of them, you’ll learn faster than everyone else. You’ll be fighting a lot of demons just to convince yourself that you can keep going. That’s what makes you stronger than them. And somewhere along the way, you’ll realize that the limit does not exist because you say it doesn’t.

It’s scary, difficult, and oftentimes, frustrating. But in the end, you’ll come out a dreamer, always excited for what’s to come.

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Featured Image: Yogendra Singh

The post No, You Don’t Need a Mentor (You Just Need Yourself) appeared first on Zoomers Corner.