As an older Gen Z’er, I try not to compare myself to my peers. However, when I see people my age posting on social media about traveling the world, starting families, or moving into their own place, I sometimes can’t help but feel like I’m “not where I’m supposed to be.”
It feels common to think you should have life all figured out and settled by a certain age — but that’s just not realistic for everyone.
To showcase that there’s no real timeline to follow in life, I sought out Gen Z’ers from the Soocial Community who were willing to share their lives with us — by highlighting parts of their day-to-day life.
Welcome back to Gen Z Journals.
This week: Meet Sarah (she/her), a 25-year-old from Upstate New York. The rest of this story will be from her POV.
Hi, I’m Sarah, a 25-year-old digital marketing specialist living in Upstate New York.
I work for a workers’ compensation insurance organization and earn $82,500 a year.
I’ve been in this position for just over a year, and while I enjoy the work, it comes with its own set of challenges.
Managing Finances
I’m quite meticulous about budgeting.
I use software that allows me to assign every dollar to a specific purpose.
On average, I spend around $600 weekly.
Currently, we pay $1,050 in rent, but that will soon increase to $1,475.
We allocate $500 a month for groceries, $100 a month for cat food and litter, $100 a week for my therapy sessions, $225 for gas, about $1,000 combined for both our car payments, and roughly $1,900 a month for student loans.
I’m fortunate to be able to pay an extra $600 a month on my loans to try to reduce them faster.
I usually budget the money I have in my bank account for the current month, and as paychecks come in, I allocate them for the next month.
My partner and I share our budget, so we don’t view our bank accounts separately anymore.
Despite being in a better financial position than many, I still feel the pressure.
My parents earned enough money that I received little federal aid for college, assuming they would help pay for it.
They didn’t, and I was over $110,000 in debt when I graduated, mostly in private loans.
Although I live comfortably now, the purchasing power has decreased significantly.
When older generations ask why I struggle financially despite earning more than they did at my age, it’s frustrating.
The cost of living has skyrocketed, and our generation is not willing to tolerate exploitative work cultures.
Work-Life Balance
The money I make now is proportionately less than what older adults made at my age, and everything is more expensive.
It’s not that Gen Z doesn’t want to work — we just refuse to accept the work culture that older generations did.
No one should have to work 80 hours a week for a job that only pays for 40. That’s exploitation.
Many of us believe that a job shouldn’t define your life’s purpose.
I set boundaries with work because I want to enjoy my life outside of it.
A typical to-do list for me looks like:
- Wake up and get dressed
- Make an iced coffee, tea, or some other drink and breakfast
- Feed my cats breakfast
- Sit down at my desk for work
- Check my email and respond as needed
- Scroll on company socials to get caught up
- Check our website for new inquiries
- Decide on social content for the day
- Design a graphic or video for each platform
- Eat lunch (if I remember to)
- Feed cats lunch (spoiled!)
- Design a marketing email or invitation to training
- Respond to questions from members about our learning management system
- Work on quarterly, annual, or monthly reports
- Edit content for articles or newsletters
- Post on all our social media pages
- Finish the day by responding to more emails
- Try to go to the gym for an hour (Monday, Wednesday, and either Friday or Saturday)
- Make dinner for or with my partner
- Feed the cats dinner
- Run off to one of my hobbies (stage lighting or acting) or try to decompress by watching something, scrolling on my phone, or going to Target
- Go to bed by 12:30 a.m.
I usually get eight hours of sleep unless I’m working on a show.
I do theatrical lighting for my former high school’s drama club and local community theaters in my spare time.
Rehearsals can run late at night, so I often get home much later.
Relationship and Personal Life
I am in a relationship with Alex, my wonderful partner of three and a half years. We support each other in numerous ways.
We are very open, honest, and communicative with each other.
We support our individual interests, and we both have ADHD, so we try to balance each other’s weaknesses.
I am very grateful to have Alex because the current dating scene is daunting to me.
I would NOT like to be on dating apps right now; people seem to avoid difficult conversations, leading to unsatisfying relationships.
Currently, I’m in the process of moving out of the apartment I’ve lived in with Alex for one and a half years.
We’re not moving far, but I’ve never moved with another person before. Plus, this apartment is all our cats know.
We’ve had to adjust our budget to afford this new place and figure out how to downsize from 1,100 square feet to 890 square feet.
Financial Pressures and Future Plans
My partner and I want to build a life together, but my student loans are a significant burden.
The minimum payment, even after refinancing, is $1,000 a month.
Despite our relatively high incomes for our age, the cost of living makes it difficult to afford much beyond our bills.
Buying a house is out of the question for at least another six years.
We’re also thinking about how to afford a wedding someday, which seems nearly impossible right now. Still, I hope Alex will propose soon.
I have amazing, supportive friends, some of whom live far away, so I don’t see them often.
I know that when I need someone, I have people to turn to.
The hard part is remembering to reach out when things get tough; it’s easy to turn inward and get lost in your problems.
I am pretty close with my family. My parents split when I was very young, and my mom and I moved to live with my stepdad when I was nine.
My dad and his family live three hours away, and the rest of my mom’s family is about four hours away.
I have four half-siblings — three on my dad’s side and one on my mom’s.
All of them are at least ten years younger than me.
My mom, stepdad, and sister only live 20 minutes away now, so my partner and I try to visit them once a week.
Social Media and Self-Comparison
I constantly feel like I’m not where I’m supposed to be.
I watch people on social media DIY their homes, get pregnant, travel to other countries, and buy luxury items, and I can’t help but feel behind.
Content creators give us a perfect snippet of their lives, and it’s easy to forget they get multiple takes to create the final product.
I try to keep in mind that my priorities and situation are different from theirs — and that’s okay.
Balancing Expectations and Reality
The pressure to have it all figured out by a certain age is immense.
Social media often exacerbates these feelings by showcasing only the highlights of people’s lives.
It’s easy to forget that these snapshots are curated and often don’t reflect the daily struggles and realities.
I remind myself that everyone’s journey is different, and comparing myself to others won’t help me progress in my own life.
One of the biggest challenges I face is managing my expectations versus reality.
I see friends and influencers achieving milestones that seem out of reach for me right now.
Whether it’s buying a home, getting married, or traveling extensively, these achievements make me question my own progress.
However, I try to focus on my own path and remember that everyone’s timeline is unique.
The Importance of Community
Having a supportive network is crucial.
My friends, although some live far away, provide a sense of stability and comfort.
We might not see each other often, but knowing they are there for me is invaluable.
During tough times, it’s essential to reach out and lean on your support system rather than isolating yourself.
My family also plays a significant role in my life.
Despite the physical distance, we maintain strong connections.
My partner and I make it a point to visit my mom, stepdad, and sister regularly, which helps keep our bond strong.
Family gatherings and visits offer a break from the daily grind and remind me of the importance of maintaining these relationships.
Career Ambitions and Work Culture
In my professional life, I strive to balance ambition with well-being.
The corporate world often glorifies overworking, but I believe in setting boundaries.
My job as a digital marketing specialist is fulfilling, but I don’t let it consume my life.
Work-life balance is crucial for mental and physical health, and I make it a priority.
My daily routine is structured to maximize productivity while allowing time for personal interests and relaxation.
After a day of work, I engage in hobbies like theatrical lighting and acting, which offer a creative outlet and a way to unwind.
This balance helps me stay motivated and prevents burnout.
Looking Ahead
Looking to the future, my partner and I are focused on building a stable life together.
The financial burden of student loans is significant, but we are committed to paying them off as quickly as possible.
Homeownership might be a distant goal, but we are working towards it steadily.
Planning for a wedding also adds to our financial considerations, but we remain optimistic.
Despite these challenges, we find joy in the small things.
Whether it’s cooking dinner together, spending time with our cats, or enjoying a quiet evening at home, these moments are what make life fulfilling.
We support each other’s dreams and aspirations, which strengthens our relationship.
Conclusion
Navigating life as a Gen Z’er comes with its unique set of challenges and pressures.
Social media can often amplify feelings of inadequacy, but it’s important to remember that everyone’s journey is different.
By focusing on my own path, maintaining a supportive community, and balancing work with personal life, I find fulfillment and purpose.
If you relate to any of these stories or are interested in sharing your own experiences, let me know in the comments below!
If you have a Gen Z Diary to share, email us.
We’ll be in touch to discuss it further if your story is a fit.