Millenials.

Somehow, the word is associated with the worst of the generation.

It's become a shameful label of sorts, despite the positive qualities that uniquely belong to them.

Facebook page and website Millenials of Singapore, however, presents local millennials in a more personal and frank way, than broad generalisations of how they should be.

Founded in 2016, they photograph or video their subject and invite them to share their stories, à la the Humans of New York:

"There is a difference between “be yourself” and “stay true to yourself”. Sometimes, the former becomes an excuse that people use to explain their actions and disappointments in life. If you find that nothing seems to be going well, perhaps it is time to improve yourself instead of throwing fits of narcissistic rage.

No one should accept you for being just yourself, unless you show that you have the willingness to keep practising, studying or taking risks. On the other hand, staying true to yourself involves accepting your little quirks and standing up for what you believe in.

I’d like to believe that the universe is kind and all of us can find a niche area for ourselves. We can often get by just fine by taking on the world with our so-called “default settings”, but a version 2.0 or extra add-ons may bring about new opportunities that life has to offer."

“Dive in, get your hands and yourself dirty”

“When I started my first business, it involved a 12-hour business plan, 26 hours of creating a website, and within 48 hours, my first online e-commerce business was launched. Whenever my friends tell me that they always wanted to start their own business, I will always reply “What are you waiting for?” Even when you don’t have any ideas, just start doing something – even if you were to source and sell products on Carousell, at least you started.

Being millennials, we are often viewed as the ‘strawberry’ generation, many fear pushing themselves outside their comfort zones. While getting my degree, I juggled with 24 AUs, worked as a bartender at night, and ran a start-up - all at the same time. It was really tough and all I had was 4 hours of sleep every night. But it is because of that that I got out of my comfort zone, and started to learn a lot more, to grow stronger, to become a better as a person.

I strongly encourage anyone out there to start doing something if you always wanted to be an entrepreneur. It is only when you start your own line of products/brands/idea/services then you are an entrepreneur; not a ‘wantrepreneur’. "

It's not all rainbows and butterflies, of course.

For example, a millennial shared her story of abuse, which she eventually found out to be as a result of her being adopted.

"I was never a bright kid. I struggled with homework and exams. My mother tried to help me with my homework, but always only ended up scolding and beating me. She would hurl insults at me, calling me demeaning names, and when words weren’t enough to express her contempt, she hit me in the head with her bare hands. One time, she grabbed my little head in her hands and smashed it into a wall, and stopped only when my maid came to my rescue.

I never fought back, never even spoke a word out of place. How could I? It would have been so disrespectful.

A part of me always felt like I must have deserved the abuse. I must have been really stupid and useless, because my siblings received no such treatment. I had no idea if they were really much smarter than me in school, but from how I was treated at home relative to them, they had to be.

It wasn’t until I learned of my adoption that everything started to make sense."

However, stories like Hitesh Ramchandani's provides hope and optimism for those who experienced setbacks in life:

"Exactly 25 years ago, the doctors screwed up. They went against the protocol and they took a risk. The risk didn't pay off. I was born with Cerebral Palsy, due to the doctor's negligence.

The same doctor then told my parents that I will not be able to survive for more than 24 hours. Even if I did, I would NEVER be able to walk or talk. However, the Universe, God, or whatever you wanna call it, had a bigger plan for me. I survived.

Today, 25 years later, instead of having a Quarter Life Crisis, I'm a Quarter Life Success. I am an International Inspirational Speaker, High Performance Coach, National Para-Athlete, author of my own book and founder of the Better Than Normal Movement.

The Better Than Normal Movement aims to inspire 50,000,000 people by 2050 to become Better Than Normal. Becoming Better Than Normal means to be the best version of yourself every single day. I believe that every individual is destined for greatness. I believe that every individual has a bigger purpose in life. I believe that every individual has the ability to become Better Than Normal."

- Hitesh Ramchandani

Regardless of how you view them, we can all agree with this millennial's advice to keep fighting and work hard:

" "There is nothing, but I want nothing more."

I no longer recall where I read this, but it has been the way I've lived my life and expanded my career for as long as I can remember since I dropped out of school.

Never let people tell you that you're useless or that you'll never amount to anything, at least never believe them.

Work hard and believe in yourself, if you don't die - you will make it, and if you do die - at least you did yourself proud enough to get somewhere others never imagined you could.

Keep your chin up and your hustle strong.

Keep fighting."

Perhaps, this is how we will see the generation in a different light.

Top image via

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