upworthy

Skip Black Friday and shop discounts at these companies making a positive impact on the world

Michelle Gant
11.27.19
Courtesy of DoneGood

While Thanksgiving is meant to celebrate all we have to be grateful for, it's also the unofficial kick-off to the holiday shopping season. Last year, Americans spent about $1 trillion on gifts. What if we all used that purchasing power to support companies that reduce inequality, alleviate poverty, fight climate change, and help make the world better?

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the coming days will have spending on everyone's brains. But in an effort to promote the companies doing good for the world, DoneGood founder Cullen Schwarz created Shop for Good Sunday (which falls on December 1 this year.)

Dubbed the "Alternate Black Friday," Shop for Good Sunday is dedicated to encouraging people to shop brands that do good for people and the planet. It also serves as a reminder to support local businesses making a positive impact in their communities.

While Shop for Good Sunday technically falls on a single day, this year, participating ethical and sustainable brands are running discounts for the whole week prior.

Where you invest your dollars matters, and there's great potential to put that money to good use if you know how. Check out these six brands that sell amazing products while also making a positive impact on the world. You'll not only be getting your loved ones meaningful gifts, but also making the world a brighter place along the way.

Isn't that what the holidays are really about?

Functional outdoor gear

Parque Rain Shell

Cotopaxi makes unique, sustainable outdoor gear, like this Parque rain shell, while keeping ethics at the core of its business model. The company gives 1% of its annual revenue to organizations that fight poverty and improve the human condition.

Modern furniture

Simbly Coffee Table

Simbly is a direct-to-consumer furniture company that sells modern, sustainable products built in the U.S. made of FSC-certified wood. And for every product sold, the company plants a tree.

Beautiful jewelry

Tho Bar & Geo Buffalo Horn Earrings

Hathorway is a jewelry company that handcrafts its accessories with materials like ethically-sourced up-cycled buffalo horns and handwoven rattan. Each item is designed and assembled in the U.S. with thoughtfully selected materials sourced from Vietnam, Thailand, and South Korea. A portion of the company's profit goes to initiatives that empower young, underprivileged women.

Luxe linens

Bamboo Charcoal Sheet Set

Ettitude crafts its home textiles from CleanBamboo fabric, a unique material made from 100% organic bamboo, the most resource-efficient plant on the planet. It also requires significantly less water to grow and produce than traditional cotton textiles. The products are also ethically made and come in packaging made from extra pieces of fabric.

Unique wood wares

The Charcuterie Board

Would Works creates and sells beautiful household wood products handcrafted by people experiencing homelessness or living in poverty. The company works with its artisans to provide job skills, financial literacy, and an income so they can reach their financial goals.

Empowering candles

She Inspires Candle

Prosperity Candle products are created by women refugees building a brighter future for themselves and their families. Each candle is made of soy-blend wax with essential oils hand poured in a well-designed container that is easily refilled or repurposed.

Find more of these great deals at DoneGood!

*Upworthy may earn a portion of sales revenue from purchases made through affiliate links on our site.

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Business

17 delightfully outrageous photos from the Comedy Pet Photo Awards

The 2021 crop of winners remains legendary.

via © Jakub Gojda/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021 and © Zoe Ross /Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

Pets do the darnedest things.

It's no secret that pet owners are obsessed with snapping candid photos of sleeping dogs, yawning cats, and anything that looks cute, cuddly, or hilarious. Taking photos is one way we humans express our love for our pets.

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are a fun-filled competition created by Tom Sullam and Paul Joynson-Hicks to promote positive awareness of animal welfare issues. Past winners include a well-timed shot of a monkey who appears to have hurt the family jewels on a suspension wire. (Don't worry, folks, no monkeys were harmed for the awards.) The competition has been so successful that the duo decided to branch out and create the Comedy Pet Photo Awards, where photographers can submit pictures of their furry friends for a £2,000 ($2,650) prize.

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Watching Make It Rain GIF Giphy

Donations generated by the competition go to Animal Support Angels, an animal welfare charity in the U.K. The 2024 winner features a dog shoving his head through a way-too-small cat door. In 2023, the champion was a kitten caught red-handed trying to sneak-attack his brother. (The competition is on hiatus for 2025 but will resume in 2026.)

But even several years later, the crop of winners from the 2021 contest remains one of the best ever. The overall champion was Zoe Ross for "Whizz Pop," a photo of her labrador puppy Pepper, who appears to be tooting bubbles.

Overall Winner: Zoe Ross "Whizz Pop," Penkridge, U.K.

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Overall Winner: Zoe Ross "Whizz Pop," Labrador puppy, Penkridge, UK© Zoe Ross /Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

Did this puppy swallow a bubble? Either he drank some bubble solution or this photographer just happened to have remarkable timing.

“We never ever thought that we would win but entered the competition because we loved the idea of helping a charity just by sending in a funny photo of Pepper," Ross said in a statement. "She is such a little monkey, and very proud of herself, bringing in items from the garden and parading past you until you notice her. She is the happiest puppy we’ve ever known and completely loved to pieces.”

Here are the rest of the winners of the 2021 Comedy Pet Photo Awards.

Best Dog Category: Carmen Cromer "Jurassic Bark," Pittsboro, North Carolina

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Best Dog Category: Carmen Cromer "Jurassic Bark," Pittsboro, North Carolina© Carmen Cromer/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

"My golden retriever, Clementine, loves to stick her face in front of the hose while I water the plants. Her expression in this photo made me think of a tyrannosaurus rex, hence the title, "Jurassic Bark." Duh nuh nuuuh nuhnuh, duh nuh nuuuh nuh nuh, dun duh duuuh nuh nuh nuh nUUUUUUhhhh." – Carmen Cromer

Best Cat Category: Kathrynn Trott "Photobomb," Ystradgynlais, U.K.

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Best Cat Category: Kathrynn Trott "Photobomb," Ystradgynlais, U.K.Best Dog Category: Carmen Cromer "Jurassic Bark," Pittsboro, North Carolina

Jeff stealing the limelight from his brother Jaffa. What is it that cats love so much about photobombing?

Best Horse Category: Mary Ellis, "I Said 'Good Morning,'" Platte River State Park, Nebraska

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Best Horse Category: Mary Ellis, "I Said 'Good Morning,'" Platte River State Park, NebraskaBest Cat Category: Kathrynn Trott "Photobomb," Ystradgynlais, U.K.

"I like to visit the stable horses before I begin my hike at the State Park. This is the reply I received when I said 'Good morning.'" – Mary Ellis

When they say you should never look a gift horse in the mouth, maybe this is what they had in mind.

All Other Creatures Category: Sophie Bonnefoi, "The Eureka Moment," Oxford, U.K.

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor All Other Creatures Category: Sophie Bonnefoi, "The Eureka Moment," Oxford, U.K.© Sophie Bonnefoi/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

"Cutie and Speedy are two chicks hatched from eggs placed in an incubator at home in August 2020. They spent their first few weeks indoors. In the photo, they are just over two weeks old. They were curious about everything. This is the day they discovered their own shadow. It was hilarious to see them wondering and exploring that 'dark thing' that was moving with them!" – Sophie Bonnefoi

Junior Category: Suzi Lonergan, "Sit!" Pacific Palisades, California

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Junior Category: Suzi Lonergan, "Sit!" Pacific Palisades, California© Suzi Lonergan/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

"Our granddaughter gave the command to sit. Beau is very obedient." – Suzi Lonergan

Anyone who's ever owned an oversized dog has been here before. This snapshot absolutely reflects the hilarious reality of keeping a gentle giant in your home.

Pets Who Look Like Their Owners Category: Jakub Gojda, "That Was a Good One!" Czech Republic

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Pets Who Look Like Their Owners Category: Jakub Gojda, "That Was a Good One!" Czech Republic© Jakub Gojda/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

"This photo was taken by accident during the photography of my ex-girlfriend with her beloved mare. For this cheerful moment, I thank the fly that sat on the horse's nose and he instinctively shook his head." – Jakub Gojda.

The resemblance is uncanny!

Highly Commended: Chloe Beck, "Hugo the Photobomber," Walsall, U.K.

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Highly Commended: Chloe Beck, "Hugo the Photobomber," Walsall, U.K.© Chloe Beck/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

"This is my best friend Faith, her husband Alex, and their cheeky Sproodle, Hugo. Faith wanted a photograph to mark a special occasion—her first outing after shielding at home for 14 months. Hugo jumped into the frame at just the right moment!" – Chloe Beck

Highly Commended: Luke O'Brien, "Mumford and Chum," Coventry, U.K.

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Highly Commended: Luke O'Brien, "Mumford and Chum," Coventry, U.K.© Luke O'Brien/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

"Losing the opportunity to play with my human bandmates during lockdown, Flint, my rescue dog, soon taught me that we didn't just have sharp bones in common, but musical ones, too. He soon became the perfect substitute for a collaborative stomp up at home, so much so that we felt we deserved our own band name (Muttford and Chum). With my camera set up remotely during this shoot, I think it's fair to say that the image is proof that his conviction as a performer matches my own." – Luke O'Brien.

Luke and Flint could have been strong competitors in the lookalike contest, if you ask me.

Highly Commended: Kathryn Clark, "Wine Time," Chichester, U.K.

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Highly Commended: Kathryn Clark, "Wine Time," Chichester, U.K.© Kathryn Clark/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

"It's that time of day again! Little Blue enjoys it almost as much as me." – Kathryn Clark.

This cat just gets it.

Highly Commended: Diana Jill Mehner, "Crazy in Love With Fall," Paderborn, Germany

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Highly Commended: Diana Jill Mehner, "Crazy in Love With Fall," Paderborn, Germany© Diana Jill Mehner/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

"This is Leia. As you can see, she definitely loves playing with all the leaves in autumn. It was really tricky to take this picture because you never know what the dog is going to do next." – Diana Jill Mehner

Highly Commended: Christine Johnson, "Boing," Crosby Beach, U.K.

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Highly Commended: Christine Johnson, "Boing," Crosby Beach, U.K.© Christine Johnson/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

"I was busy playing with my dog on the beach and this dog came to play. I liked the shapes he was making in the air." – Christine Johnson

Highly Commended: Manel Subirats Ferrer, "Ostrich Style," Platja del Prat de Llobregat, Spain

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Highly Commended: Manel Subirats Ferrer, "Ostrich Style," Platja del Prat de Llobregat, Spain© Manel Subirats Ferrer/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

Nuka playing hide and seek at the beach. Hey, we've all buried our head in the sand at one point or another.

Highly Commended: Colin Doyle, "Nosey Neighbor," Bromsgrove, U.K.

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Highly Commended: Colin Doyle, "Nosey Neighbor," Bromsgrove, U.K.© Colin Doyle/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

"According to Ozzy, we need a new fence panel ASAP. He is fed up with Chester our nosy next door neighbor spying on him every time he has a meal." – Colin Doyle.

There's a lot going on in this one, but the hidden camera is what really makes it a winner.

Highly Commended: Corey Seeman, "A Warm Spot on a Cold Day," Michigan

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Highly Commended: Corey Seeman, "A Warm Spot on a Cold Day," Michigan© Corey Seeman/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

"Two of the morning regulars at the dog park are Gary (hound mix with the jacket) and Kona, one of the most chill dogs ever." – Corey Seeman.

Highly Commended: Lucy Slater, "So What?" San Diego, California

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Highly Commended: Lucy Slater, "So What?" San Diego, California© Lucy Slater/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

"This is how I like to sit!" – Vincent the cat

Highly Commended: Mollie Cheary, "Photobomb," Poole, U.K.

comedy pet photo awards, funny pet photos, pets, animals, humor Highly Commended: Mollie Cheary, "Photobomb," Poole, U.K.© Mollie Cheary/Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021

'"Bailey was so excited to see her friends, she couldn't sit still for a photo!" – Mollie Cheary

The photos are hilarious and adorable, but you might wonder: What's the point of all this?

The founders have actually given that quite a bit of thought. According to the website:

"Lots of people ask us why we do the competition and what we are trying to achieve. This is an epic question. So, we’ve had a really good think, (with tea and biccies obvs) and come up with this: 'Through the Comedy Pets, we want to promote positive awareness of animal welfare issues and celebrate the incredible and valuable contribution that pets can and do have on our lives.'"

So you're actually doing a lot of good by viewing, laughing at, and even sharing these photos. Great work!

This article originally appeared four years ago. It has been updated.

comedy pet photography awardspet photosfunny animal photosanimalscomedyhumorfunnyphotographypets
Pets

Adorable 5-year-old gives his mom 6 pieces of advice for her handling anxiety

We have quite the mini philosopher on our hands.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash, @EPrecipice/Twitter

Kids really do say the darnedest things.

Any parent knows that kids can be surprisingly astute little philosophers at the most unexpected times. One minute, your child is throwing a tantrum because you sliced their sandwich wrong, and the next, they are blowing you away with their deep preschool thoughts. It's enough to give you whiplash, but it's also one of the most fun things about being around kids. You never know what they're going to say, and sometimes what they say is just awesome.

Case in point: This 5-year-old who gave his mom some sage advice about handling her nerves. X user @Eprecipice (StressieBessie) shared the story in a tweet thread. She wrote: "When talking about our agendas for the day, I told my 5yo I was a little nervous about a meeting I have today. He said, 'Mama, I am nervous all the time. I know what to do.' So friends, here is all the advice he could fit into the drive to school:"

A 5-year-old's incredible advice

kids, advice, parents, parenting advice, smart kids A very thoughtful child. via Canva/Photos

1. “You gotta say your affirmations in your mouth and your heart. You say, ‘I am brave of this meeting!’ , ‘I am loved!’, ‘I smell good!’ And you can say five or three or ten until you know it.”

Okay, first of all, the fact that this kiddo knows what affirmations are is awesome. Some people have questioned whether this advice really came from a 5-year-old because of the vocabulary, but kids are sponges, and affirmations aren't rocket science. It's become quite common for preschools and kindergartens to teach kids things like this, so it's not actually surprising to hear him talk about affirmations. It's just adorable to hear the ones he suggests.

2. “You gotta walk big. You gotta mean it. Like Dolly on a dinosaur. Because you got it.”

Okay, so this actually is sound advice. Researcher Amy Cuddy gave a whole TED Talk about how our minds respond to our own body language, and how using confident body language can actually release chemicals in our brains that make us feel more powerful and self-assured. So "walk big" like you mean it is legit.

3. "Never put a skunk on a bus."

No idea what this means, but it's definitely solid wisdom.

4. "Think about the donuts of your day! Even if you cry a little, you can think about potato chips!"

I'm genuinely not sure if this is referencing real donuts or not, which is part of what makes it delightful advice. Metaphorically, "the donuts of your day" could be the positive things that happened, and focusing on those instead of the negative is basic positive thinking. Then again, if you cry and think about potato chips, perhaps he's just referencing comfort with food. Either way, totally feeling it.

5. "You gotta take a deep breath and you gotta do it again."

Pretty much every therapist from every psychological school of thought will tell you that breathing exercises are one of the quickest ways to calm your body and mind. Simple, but seriously sound advice.

6. "Even if it's a yucky day, you can get a hug."

Even though it sounds like a pretty typical thought for a kid, it's also good advice for well-being. According to The Conversation, the chemicals released when we hug can help us manage stress, reduce anxiety, and manage our emotions. They can also improve sleep, reduce stress reactivity, increase well-being, and help fight off infections. So when the going gets rough, there's nothing wrong with hugging it out.

Smart kid.

He added one more piece of advice for good measure


“Don’t get distracted and your feet will stay on the sidewalk and not too full of snow.” That's sage advice if I ever heard it.

Like a little Confucius, this one.

Seriously, if you ever want to hear some of the most oddly profound things you'll ever hear in your life, spend some time interviewing a 4- or 5-year-old. They really do say the darnedest things. And if you're nervous about something, just keep telling yourself you're "brave of" it. If nothing else, it'll bring a smile to your face remembering this delightful thread.

This article originally appeared three years ago.

adviceaffirmationsbody languagefunny kidshugskidskids are smartparenting adviceparentsphilosopherssmart kidswisdomyoung philosopherchildren
Family
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Movies

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Psychologist shares 6 conversations parents should have with their kids before gatherings

These rules can help protect kids' mental and physical well-being at family and friend get togethers.

Photo credit: Canva

Keeping kids safe at gatherings requires certain conversations.

In many families, large gatherings over the holidays or at other times are commonplace, with kids, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and in-laws getting together to eat, play games, watch movies, and spend quality time together. For others, friends might hold parties or events that involve multiple generations gathering in a home for fun and frivolity.

For parents, such events can be a tricky balancing act. Some kids might love big parties, while others get overwhelmed. Sometimes family dynamics can make such gatherings less-than-ideal. And then there are the safety aspects to consider for our children's mental and physical well-being.

Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Raquel Martin shares six conversations parents need to have with their children when attending events, even when they take place in their own home. These family conversations are designed to help protect kids' personal safety, both mentally and physically.

1. The bodily autonomy conversation

No one should ever feel forced into giving someone physical affection, even a close family member. Kids don't owe anyone hugs or kisses, no matter who they are. Martin says parents can tell kids, "If someone asks for a hug or any form of affection and you don't want to, you can say no. If you freeze, catch my eye, I will step in."

Rule #1: No forced affection. I will always back you up.

2. The teasing conversation

Martin points out that there's a difference between playful jokes and hurtful comments. The difference is whether or not you feel uncomfortable. "I tell them if someone makes a comment about your body, your food, your emotions, your voice, or compares you to others, and it makes you uncomfortable, or if anything conversation-wise makes you uncomfortable, that's not joking," she says. "The line is where you draw it."

Rule #2: If it makes you feel bad in your body, you do not have to stay.

3. The secrets conversation

Surprises are one thing, but secrets are another.

"I tell children there are surprises and there are secrets," Martin explains. "Surprises are safe and temporary. Secrets make you feel scared, confused, or uncomfortable and should always be told to me, even if someone says don't tell. And if you don't know the difference, tell me." Adults should never be telling children to keep secrets, and no one should tell kids to keep a secret from their parents. Period.

Rule #3: No person (adult or child) should ask you to keep secrets from me.

4. The respect conversation

Kids might feel afraid to speak up if an elder does or says something hurtful because they've been taught to respect adults or they might worry about getting in trouble. But there are ways to talk about respect that clarify what it is and what it isn't.

"Tell your children respect does not mean letting people hurt your feelings," Martin says. "Respect does not mean staying quiet when something is wrong. You can be respectful and still say, 'I do not like that, please stop.'" And they can always ask a parent for help in a sticky situation.

saying no, respect, parenting, child safety, exit plan It's okay for kids to say no to things that make them uncomfortable.Photo credit: Canva

Martin points out that it's important for children to always know where their parents are at events. "If they can't find you, they can't get the help they need."

Rule #4: You are not in trouble for protecting yourself.

5. The exit plan conversation

Martin lets her kids know that if they ever feel overwhelmed, uncomfortable, or overstimulated, they can let her know. "We can use a code word. We can use a hand signal. You can just come sit next to me, squeeze my arm. We can take a break, or if necessary, we can leave," she tells them.

Having an exit plan lets kids know they can count on parents to have their back and to remove them from a situation they might otherwise feel trapped in.

Rule #5: You do not have to endure discomfort to be polite.

6. The open door conversation

"Let them know you do not play in rooms with closed doors, not bedrooms, not basements, not bathrooms," Martin says. "If someone says, 'It's fine, we're just playing,' you open the door or you leave the room. And if someone asks you to close the door, you come get me immediately."


open door policy, no closed doors, child safety, abuse prevention, parenting No closed doors.Photo credit: Canva

While no one wants to imagine it happening, most sexual abuse is perpetrated by people a child knows, and according to U.S. Department of Justice statistics, about 1/3 of sexual abuse cases involve a family member. Keeping doors open helps keep kids safer.

Rule #6: Doors stay open. Always.

Gatherings can be a lot of fun, and making sure these conversations happen beforehand can help protect kids so they can create fond memories with family and friends.

You can follow Dr. Martin on Instagram.

Parenting

Millennials react to being labeled the 'Just Push Through It' generation

"Big on the 'life goes on, I’ll figure it out' mentality."

Photo credit: Canva

Millennials react to being labeled the "Just Push Through It" generation.

It's no secret that Millennials feel burnt out at work, and in life. In a notable poll by global talent services firm Seramount, 77% of Millennials reported feeling workplace burnout. Millennials also have more expectations at home, caring for both their own children and aging parents.

As Wes Burke, chief human resources officer at Care.com, told Fortune, "The mental load [of caregiving] permeates the workplace; it goes just beyond the four walls of your home, especially in a more interconnected world. [It] has an impact on attendance, productivity, and overall quality of life for the employee, [while also having] a lot of impact for the employer."

Now, Millennials have been given the nickname the "Just Push Through It" generation. Tara Kermeit of YourTango explained, "That 'pick yourself up and just push through' mentality was a staple of millennial childhood. For better or worse, we were taught that no matter how tough things got, we were supposed to push through, brush ourselves off, and keep going."

@thepeterguse

Millennials have lived through enough chaos that we struggle to feel safe when those small moments of calm DO come around. This is where the real inner work starts. Grab the book and follow my 4 Rs framework so we can finally start planning for a future that was stolen from us! #millennialburnout #millennialmindset #millennialreset

It's a stark contrast to Gen Z, who have notably taken an opposing approach to hustle culture, as noted by Upwork, an online freelance worker marketplace. Upwork writer Cassie Moorhead explained that Gen Z is "rebelling against constant grind, avoiding burnout, and prioritizing their well-being," adding that "Gen Z is entering the workforce with different values, behaviors, and expectations."

In a discussion amongst Millennials on Reddit, they reacted to the generational "Just Push Through It" label in an honest (and humorous) manner. This is what they had to say:

"Hahaha yep, I ignored neck pain for like two weeks and when it finally got loose enough for me to crack it, I gave myself a stroke at the ripe old age of 38. I had somehow dissected an artery, probably by sneezing like an idiot or something stupid, but I had overtime that had to be done." - stefiscool

"Big on the 'life goes on, I’ll figure it out' mentality." - MagicVonSwanson

"'Welcome to real life' is one I’ve gotten from family members… sigh…" - Virtual_Pitch_3820

"Lmao that's why we're all disabled in our 30s in some cognitive fashion. And these mothatruckas want grandkids. Y'all are getting grand cats and grand dogs." - FluffyLucious

"For real. I was telling this to my husband the other day bc he asked why our generation is having less kids. I said honey we have been through it our whole lives. So much instability and just trying to weather the storm. We are all tired! Don’t get me wrong, it could be worse. But I’ve learned that what’s easiest for me is to keep my life simple bc nothing lasts forever." - User Unknown

tired, exhausted, burnt out, burn out, exhaustionTired Merry Go Round GIFGiphy

"It’s so much more expensive to have kids today and parenting is definitely harder. A freaking mailman or factory worker could have a 4 bedroom home and a stay at home wife 40 years ago. Now it takes 2 working professionals to afford that in the same neighborhood. Plus add $15k-$20k for childcare… for one kid!" - White_eagle32rep

"I think people are misinterpreting this, encouraging perseverance isn’t a bad thing. Screwing your kid over and telling them to just get over it is a bad thing. I can’t speak for all millennials but our circumstances are certainly unique in terms of our coming of age and our boomer parents who lived radically different lives and had 0 concern or empathy for us." - SnooGoats5767

"My parents don’t care nor understand." - User Unknown

"Every generation prior and current has been told this. What makes Millennials different than the previous generations is that we're stopping to say "this isn't right" and actually doing something about it. We're putting more focus on mental health than ever before. We're creating a work-life balance as best we can. Though, we're also in a much worse position relative to the previous generations in wealth and purchasing power making that a difficult proposition at best. This is what make us "difficult" for the previous generations. We're calling them out on their bullshit, we're pushing back, and they don't like it." - spiffariffic

"Can’t be burnt out if you’re just numb to it all!" - qsdlthethird

i'm fine, burn out, burnt out, tired, not okayIm Fine GIF by MOODMANGiphy

"Its so funny because a few years ago there was a receptionist at the company I worked for that said that all Millennials do is complain. She said so many don't want to work, just want to stay living with their parents. I was so offended but instead of flying off the handle I said- let me ask you, how much was your home that you bought in the 90s? How much was a college education in 80s/90s? How hard was it to get a decent job at that time? All she could say was that Millennials need to figure it out. We had a major recession in 2008 to approx 2012 and everything is super expensive. So yea that's delayed our lives quite a bit. Also said I think that people that complain about Millennials should talk to the people that raised us. For her that was particularly poignant because her 2 children are Millennials. What hypocrites!" - Saveus1008

"Yep, I’ve been through 3 recessions , the world has ended 4 or 5 times and I went bald at 19. Burnt out is an understatement." - Thin_Baker5838

"This was my moral code for the longest time. 'Work hard, finish things through, don't quit things early just because it got hard.' it leads to more exploitation." - Pikapetey

"That and 'Figure It Out'. My parents barely taught me life skills but kept telling me to figure it out. Now they can’t understand why I don’t plan much. I legit approach my life as 'I’ll figure it out. I always do.'" - PhoenixCore96

"The time spent multitasking is a big issue. You used to be either at work or home. Maybe you had to make a phone call or get called into the office, but you're still not really multitasking. A cheat code to do well at work was to not have children. Now our expectation is to parent our 2.5 kids and succeed at work despite dramatically dwindling benefits, so much so that even the DINKs are struggling too. We need a dramatic paradigm shift." - Evan_802Vines

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