There’s a voice we’ve all heard, gently nudging us to concentrate on our journey before we invite someone else to join us. This voice resonated strongly in our conversation with Lauren, a 21-year-old on the cusp of adulthood determined to focus on herself outside of a relationship. Raised in a half-Mexican-American family, she felt the pressure of becoming a good wife to a husband.
Lauren entered the podcast intending to focus on herself outside of a relationship. She explained that she had just experienced a breakup that seriously changed her perspective on how she treats her priorities.
“I have been in and out of relationships since I was 14; I feel a sort of pressure to be in a relationship, which takes away most of my energy.” She talks about the mental load of trying to be on top of everything: work, college, and personal life.
Lauren is now studying to become a realtor; before that, she steered through college and found herself gasping for air to keep everything going. She eventually decided to step back and concentrate on understanding what might resonate with her.
She started working as a waitress and discovered she was a people person. She loved entertaining, meeting new people, and listening to different perspectives, which inspired her to reflect on her experiences.
As our conversation moved away from the relationship, Lauren started to share a glimpse of her dreams: “I want to own a ranch, I want to be around animals, I want to volunteer, and I want to be part of the community.” This vision has driven her to consider the real estate industry, and she is now taking the course to complete her license while keeping the possibility of going back to school in the back of her mind. Although compelled by the hope of reaching her goals, Lauren admits she has fears: “Is the struggle worth it?” She talks about the influence of social media, which frequently wakes her up with news of war, diseases, and economic disasters. She finds herself comparing herself to influencers and impossible body standards.
She states: “What’s going to affect me now? Because before COVID, I wanted to be a veterinarian. I wanted to go to A&M. I wanted to go to vet school…But, it’s scary sometimes to be a young adult.”
At the base of Lauren’s preoccupations is the fear of working hard for nothing, a widespread doubt that, if given space, becomes a well-known companion in life: anxiety. Despite her fears, Lauren is putting herself out there, questioning her patterns, and thriving to become a better version of herself.
Our latest podcast, Uncharted Your Sidekick for Life, looks into Lauren’s situation alongside her peers. We are followed by professionals such as Becky Henderson, a licensed therapist, career coach, and motivational speaker, who joins the conversation to provide valuable insights and practical advice. As a seasoned mental health professional and career coach, Becky offers guidance and strategies to help our Gen Z contributors and listeners navigate their own mental health journeys with confidence and resilience.
Join us on our journey.
You can find Lauren’s episode here:
Inside Out: Gen Z’s Mental Health Journey with Becky Henderson
This blog was written by Anais Schmidt, one of the hosts of the Uncharted Podcast. Anais is also an aspiring musician. When not in her studio, she tours Europe with Monte Mai.
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