Millennials excel in many areas of life, but there are still some aspects where they could improve, such as making healthier food choices, managing finances more effectively, and incorporating mindfulness into their routines. Although perfection isn’t the goal, here are 19 habits millennials should adopt to live a more fulfilling life.
Authentic Communication Skills
If a millennial can avoid a face-to-face conversation or talking on the phone, then they will. This is supported by MicroD, which writes, “Actually, one of the consumer habits of millennials is that they do not want to pick up the phone and call; they would rather text.” For deeper connections, millennials should try to balance face-to-face conversations with their preferred texting.
Better Cooking Skills
If there’s one thing millennials rely heavily on, it’s food delivery. Sometimes, it’s out of laziness, and other times, they’re just too busy to cook. However, prioritizing home-cooked meals will help promote a healthier lifestyle. It also means they can experience cooking different cuisines and learn new techniques.
Be More Savvy When Shopping Online
Millennials prefer to shop online, as it’s much more convenient than heading to the store. Online shopping, however, isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be, with many people falling for scams. Millennials should ensure they’re always cautious when giving card details and make sure to check a brand’s online reviews before making a purchase.
Financial Responsibility
Many millennials have large stacks of debt, which may have come from student loans. This debt has forced them to live at home with their parents while they try to become more financially able. Millennials should consider budgeting to reduce debt or learn to manage it better. Other options include looking into investments and saving strategies.
Reduce Dependency on Digital Technology
Reducing their use of digital technology can have a positive impact on a millennial’s mental health. This is supported by Limely, which writes, “Millenials and Gen-Z have become accustomed to instant rewards and reactions due to the connectivity of our world, largely fuelled by social media.” A great way to reduce dependency on digital technology is to do a detox.
Choose Healthy Foods
Millennials prefer healthy food options compared to processed foods; however, with hectic work schedules, this isn’t always possible. Reducing fast foods and highly-processed snacks by swapping them with organic options will lead to a much healthier life. Just because a person is constantly on the go doesn’t mean they can’t be more aware of what they’re eating.
Consumption Habits
Millennials have always been conscious of who they’re purchasing from. They like to be ethical and purchase from sustainable brands; however, this sometimes means they bypass supporting local businesses. Purchasing from small businesses would still align with their values of making sure the product meets societal and environmental standards.
Balance Self-Care with Self-Indulgence
Gallup writes, “Millennials’ increased spending on leisure activities versus a year ago and versus other generations is intriguing, as it suggests they might be starting to free up their bank accounts and spend more on nonessentials.” While it’s important to spend money on things we love, millennials should try to direct this toward long-term self-care, rather than short-term indulgence.
Rethink Home Ownership Goals
Millennials have become much slower at buying homes compared to previous generations. Many rent rather than own, which lacks security. Instead, millennials should look to find ways to budget and reduce debt so that they can save toward a home if purchasing one is a life goal.
Be More Cautious Online
Millennials don’t mind handing out personal data so that they can have a more personalized experience with products and services. For example, Fit Small Business writes, “A major piece of the modern e-commerce and marketing experience is retail personalization, which refers to the gathering of user information in order to provide personalized site experiences.”
Awareness of Social Media Influence
Social media has a huge impact on a millennial’s life. They’re highly influenced by brands on the platforms, and this makes them happy to buy products from these sites. However, a millennial should try to use social media more mindfully and critically. This will lead to social media having less of an influence on their mental health.
Adopt Sustainable Lifestyle Practices
Millennials are interested in sustainable and eco-friendly products and services. While they may purchase more sustainable products, they can also help the environment by recycling and reducing waste through methods such as donating things they no longer need. They can also help by supporting businesses that prioritize sustainability.
Practice Continuous Learning
Learning shouldn’t stop as soon as a person leaves college. In fact, SkillFine writes, “As a Millennial, you may think that you know everything and already have all the skills needed in the marketplace. After all, you have an MBA degree! But that’s not the way things work in the real world.”
Community Engagement
Millennials love to play active roles in their community. They’ll always try to participate in local events and help out in any way they can. What may be beneficial for a millennial is to focus on helping communities or events that matter most to them. This will help them feel as though they’ve really contributed to something they believe in.
Consumption
The millennial generation is best known for consumption and being materialistic. Reducing this habit and becoming more minimalistic would not only help the environment but also their wallets. It may also be more rewarding to focus on purchasing more meaningful items, especially if you have to save for them.
Enhance Financial Knowledge
According to Everfi, “Millennials are the demographic with the highest spending power, which is only set to grow over the next decade – but many millennials’ financial literacy is lacking.” Millennials need to understand the importance of financial management, especially as they get older. Learning about investment and retirement options will set them up for a more secure life.
Prioritize Mental Health
This is something some millennials still struggle to do. It’s important to recognize that your mental and physical health have a huge impact on your everyday life. Millennials should make sure to adopt regular practices like meditation, eating healthy, and exercising. They shouldn’t be afraid to seek professional help if they feel like things are becoming too much.
Develop Long-Term Career Plans
It’s important to focus on long-term career goals and not just immediate job satisfaction. This can be achieved through continuous learning, which will really help to show an employer how dedicated you are. Just make sure to achieve a work-life balance to avoid any stress or burnout issues.
Foster Strong Relationships
It’s important to create deep and personal relationships, especially beyond the comforts of social media and texting. This can be done by taking part in social activities or helping out the community. Developing listening skills can also help to create strong relationships, as it shows empathy for another person.