A collection of essays, reflections, journal entries, individual journalism, short stories, thought pieces and poems written by people in their 20s living in the 2020s.
20s in the 20s is an initiative that intends to grasp the stream of consciousness and lived experiences of people in their 20s living in the 2020s through various reflection and thought pieces, short stories, journal entries, essays, and poems written by the contributors. In doing so, it aspires to create spaces, both digital and physical, in which our generation can write and reflect in ways that are non-commercial about our experiences and observations.
Most people encounter a period of great disillusionment at some point in their lives. However, at a time that most youth passes their days inside and in front of screens rather than with other people, or the physical world, disillusionment has become the collective experience of a generation. These days, most hands are occupied with phones, keyboards and other products as minds travel across space and time trying to envision different realities. Societal structures have grown in complexity and implications of the loss of nature are becoming more and more visible by the day. Under these conditions, one thing permeates in most minds: the desire for a different, simpler, less hierarchical, less information- centred, less polarised and less consumption-driven existence.
After personal reflections, many conversations with peers in my age group and attentive listening to concerns and hopes about the present and future alike, it became clear to me that people in their 20s are encountering many existential questions on a daily basis. Many of the questions range from the pervasive influence of consumerism in our lives, to the questioning of the roles and responsibilities in the societal, economic, political and environmental frameworks we are set to inherit.
Reflecting on these complex issues can be both time-consuming and daunting. Yet, the act of questioning our material reality is the only way to change this material reality. As writing remains a timeless tool for intergenerational and cross-border communication, its role in today’s society is one of great importance. Thus, "20s in the 20s" aims to capture and express the introspections and endeavors of our generation through writing.
The reasons why this project is dedicated to people in their 20s has to do with multiple factors, including the following:
💻 Affinity to Technology This is the first generation to grow up with technology from a young age, integrating digital experiences fundamentally into their development. As such, now many are questioning why interactions with computers have become almost mandatory for existence.
🌍 Global Challenges People in their 20s represent a pivotal demographic that will soon inherit and navigate the complex array of societal, political, economic, and environmental challenges passed down from earlier generations or those newly emerging.
🧙🏽♀️ “Identity” Formation People in their 20s are often at a critical stage of forming what can be addressed as their personal and professional identities. This decade is marked by significant life decisions about careers, relationships, and personal beliefs, making their insights particularly vibrant and transformative. However, whilst the creation of “persons with personalities” has been one of the key focus areas of the last decades, new generations are questioning whether this process in itself is something that needs to be continued.
🗣️ Willingness to Take Initiative Young adults are generally more adaptable and open to embracing new ideas and changes, and they are more keen to contribute to the amelioration of the current conditions. This generation is also more critical to the current modes in which societies are operating.