by Emily Howsden | Dec 19, 2016
Have you noticed the growing trend? If it’s vintage, no longer in production or just plain old, chances are a Millennial has got to get their hands on it.
Of course, as with everything I write, this doesn’t sum up all Millennials ever. However, the trend of buying second hand or something that looks second hand is quite popular.
Furniture, clothing, cars, even old homes, you name it and we want to take it and try and restore whatever it is to its former beauty. Some just prefer to embrace the age of their vintage items and leave it as is.
While I have only slightly participated in this trend, I find it fun, and it does make me happy to see a generation recycle styles and trends from the past.
This doesn’t just go for clothing, cars, living spaces, etc. This also goes for music and movies (I’m full of alliterations today).
Take the resurrection of the Star Wars movies, for example. Let me clarify, I am not criticizing because I am indeed a Millennial Star Wars fan. I remember vaguely watching these movies with my brother as a child. He is 12 years older than I am and very much a part of the first generation of Star Wars fanatics.
While the movies are still being produced, the first movie came out in 1977, nearly 40 years ago! Ask any Star Wars fan today, and they’ll tell you they’ve been a fan since the beginning. If they say that and they are a Millennial, that means the first movie would have been released around 15 years before said Millennial was born.
The same goes for music. I believe it’s true; they just don’t make music like they used to these days. That is why we cling to the artists and music of the past and feel cool doing it. It’s another “vintage” thing Millennials love.
I believe a big reason that this is a growing trend is because our generation likes to feel unique. We like to be the first to discover things and go against the flow of things for the most part.
So while the rest of the world is listening to Billboard’s Top 40, we have our Billie Holiday Spotify station on while we wear our thrift store “grandpa sweater” as we sip organic, locally-sourced coffee from a vintage mug. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Clothing is another area that vintage is so “in.” Often, I’ll find myself shopping, perusing a magazine or watching television with my Mom, and she’ll make a remark about how the outfits she sees are straight from the 70’s or 80’s.
This is one trend that I enjoy until some fashion styles that should have never begun in the first place find their way back on a clothing rack near us.
I enjoy the classic red lip, collared shirt and even more recently, shirt tied around the waist. But I could go without the high-waisted shorts that leave little to the imagination.
I say all of this to say thank you to past generations for being so great that us Millennials can now copy you. I’m sorry if some of us claim the ideas and trends as our own. Someday we’ll understand that we didn’t invent/come up with every trend, ever. I promise, take it as a compliment!
by Emily Howsden | Dec 12, 2016
It has been brought to my attention that superiors of mine, or shall we all laugh as I call them elders, are somewhat perplexed by the millennial usage of the word “adulting.”
I will start with my definition then compare it to different definitions I’ve gathered from across the World Wide Web.
I’ve used this phrase more times than I am proud to admit.
Most times when I use it, I’m referring to adult responsibilities that are usually not fun, maybe stressful and stuff I feel like maybe I wasn’t adequately warned about as an adolescent.
Also, this word is used by those who maybe feel like they aren’t all the way an adult yet, so performing adult-like duties may seem to be a bit of a behavior rather than one’s true identity.
TIME.com defined “adulting” in a short and sweet manner – to make someone behave like an adult; turn someone into an adult.
Another website hit it on the head, if you ask me, by defining adulting like this – to do grown up things and hold responsibilities such as a 9-5 job, a mortgage/rent, a car payment, or anything else that makes one think of grownups.
The common theme here is people who don’t necessarily think of themselves as a grown-up or an adult, having to, in fact, act like they are.
I recently saw a meme saying, “Adulthood is a lot like a board game that no one read the instructions on, nobody really knows what we’re doing, we’re all just kind of figuring it out as we go.”
That made me chuckle because there have been times where the phrase “fake it ‘til you make it” has never seemed more true.
Here’s a worthy question though: Why has my generation decided that we aren’t capable or shouldn’t have to do these types of things that people for generations have been doing?
I’m not certain, but surely we can’t be the first to complain about it… We are a vocal, meme-generating, social media activist generation, so maybe we’re complaining as those before us have, but we’re just louder?
Whether you acknowledge it or not, there are things that you do on a daily basis that you wish you could just skip.
A friend of mine just had to buy eight tires, yes I said that right, eight tires two weeks before Christmas because her and her husband’s cars had seen better days. That is what we call adulting.
Another example that may seem bogus to someone who’s been doing it for 20-plus years, but to a first time rent/mortgage-payer, seeing the biggest chunk of your paycheck go away at the beginning of every month can hurt.
That doesn’t mean we aren’t thankful that we have a place to live; it just hurts when you aren’t used to that kind of thing (Thanks mom and dad for keeping a roof over our heads all these years).
Have you started to catch on to this odd phrase millennials seem to wear out?
Who knows, maybe the next time you do something that you wish your parents could still do for you, or you get sick and the only cure would be to go home and have your mom take care of you, you may want to not “adult” for a day.
While some of us millennials need to just get over it and “get happy in the same pants we got sad in,” to quote my dad, there are others who are contributing members of society, and just one day we looked up and thought, “When did I grow up?”
If that’s the case for you or a millennial you know, take heart in knowing you are not alone.
The Lord does not give us any task that is too large to accomplish if we lift our eyes to Him and depend on Him for our strength, no matter how not fun it is.
by Emily Howsden | Dec 5, 2016
This week’s edition of Millennial Monday is about homeownership! This is something that’s near and dear to my heart, since my husband and I are currently searching for our first home after about a year and a half of marriage.
Why is it that Millennials seem to struggle with the commitment of buying a house?
I discussed this with a Millennial co-worker of mine, also looking at homes, and we decided that it’s something that seems so out of reach for most Millennials.
Why does buying a home seem so out of reach? It’s a huge step, the most expensive thing we will have ever bought (unless you’re swimming in student-loan debt) and so permanent.
Home buying also is something we like to refer to as “adulting” which is a topic I’ll discuss next week. A brief description of “adulting” would be what a Millennial refers to as something they may not feel mature enough to do at this point in their life.
So, home buying is nerve wrecking.
My husband and I have lived in an apartment our whole married life, and while there is something to be said about not worrying about maintenance and all the amenities, we want something we can call our own.
It kind of kills us every month when we pay rent and know that money isn’t being invested into anything we can claim later in life.
One reason, I can assure you, a lot of Millennials may not be buying their own homes is cost. It is expensive to buy a home and nearly impossible if you’re on an entry level job budget and single income.
This is why, much to older generation’s disapproval, most Millennials end up back in their childhood bedrooms at their parents’ home, with no plans of moving out in the immediate future.
Something worth mentioning is what Millennials with college degrees are getting paid. How are we supposed to move on and be completely on our own if our wages are sometimes below the technical poverty level?
I agree, some Millennials could take a lesson or 500 in money management and overall life decisions, and that would help them to more readily afford a home.
However, there is the exception. A hard working group of people who have college degrees, student loans and work in their field but struggle to make ends meet — these are the ones I’m talking about.
Cost aside, there’s the commitment aspect of buying a home.
Millennials are generally at a time in life that is uncertain. They are graduating or still in college. Most times, Millennials aren’t sure about where they want to settle, or if this is the time they want to explore the option of living somewhere new.
I’ve been told when you buy a home, it’s best to expect to be there at least 5 years. That’s 1825 days if you would like to count it all out.
I know for some that is a lot of time to wrap your mind around, especially if you’re making this decision on your own.
But how my husband and I are thinking about it is that buying a home is an investment into our future. We want to build equity and put ourselves and future family in a home that we can call our own.
People are saying it is a buyer’s market these days with low interest rates and Oklahoma being one of the most budget-friendly states when it comes to the cost of living. That is something to consider as well.
Do you want to buy a 1,400 square-foot home in an established neighborhood, or a 600 square foot flat in New York City for roughly the same price? That is where the decision making I talked about earlier comes into play.
I hope this has helped you take a look into the mind of a Millennial currently going through this process. There is a lot to consider, and without my parent’s advice or our trusted realtor, I’m not sure I would feel comfortable making the plunge myself.
We are called to be good stewards of our money and honor the Lord with our spending
Hide the Word in your heart and ask the Lord what He wants for you, and you’ll have a peace about the right choice for you. I know my husband and I are praying that whatever home we buy, the Lord will use it for the furthering of His kingdom and that all who enter, know His love for them.
The truth of the matter is, no matter how permanent it may seem, we are passing through this earthly home of ours and wherever we live is temporary. It would be wrong to place any home higher that what our heavenly home will be.
Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
by Emily Howsden | Nov 28, 2016
“And the angel said to them ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger.” Luke 2:10-13
Christmas seems to happen earlier every year. Personally, I wait until after Thanksgiving to begin my celebration of our Savior’s birth.
I like to take my time to be thankful for all the blessings the Lord has placed in my life, then celebrate Him and His Son. Let’s not forget Thanksgiving, people! (Please don’t read that in a condescending voice…)
I want to make something clear, this is not to chastise or condemn anyone for celebrating Christmas early. Also, by writing this, I don’t mean you should never buy another Christmas present. It is one of my favorite things to do, after all.
One thing worth discussing however, is the growing cultural shift of Christmas among our generation.
The season has become one of greed and gimmicks, focusing more on worldly gifts rather than the gift we, mankind, received in a manger in Bethlehem.
According to a study done by Pew Research Center, “Nine-in-ten Millennials say they take part in Christmas, but only four-in-ten say they do so mainly as a religious holiday…”
Millennials have become entranced with all that comes with Christmas, making it more of a cultural celebration rather than the true reason the holiday was ever celebrated in the first place.
Why is it? Some say Millennials are much less religious than previous generations, and I can’t say I disagree. More and more, we are clinging to the things of this world rather than the Giver of life and the One from whom all blessings flow.
We have taken things into our own hands, depending on ourselves or putting all of our faith and worth in a job or a flawed human being.
We have had a hand in turning one of the most pure holidays into another day of enterprise.
The good news, besides our Savior being born, is that the Lord forgives and hears our prayers. No matter how many times we mess up or lose sight of Him or His Son, He is still in control and moving in our lives.
I admit, I take tremendous joy in giving gifts, decorating for Christmas and how the holiday brings family together.
However, it is imperative that we as a younger generation don’t miss the opportunity to pass on to the generations after us the importance of celebrating the Lord and the work He’s done through His Son.
So, go to the light festivals, white elephant and office Christmas parties. But, I encourage you while you celebrate to bring light to the real reason we celebrate. Whether it’s in a greeting, a “God bless you” or by showing the generosity the Lord bestows upon our hearts, put Christ at the center of Christmas.
by Emily Howsden | Nov 21, 2016
Psalm 9:1 “I will thank the Lord with all my heart; I will declare all Your wonderful works.”
Often, Millennials are classified as an ungrateful and greedy generation.
Sometimes, I would agree with you. As human beings our sinful nature puts greed in our hearts and makes it hard to not constantly want the next best thing.
This is where I would love to clear up a misconception and address my generation at the same time.
First, I would like to clear things up a bit.
I think being thankful and respectful of older generations goes hand-in-hand.
In order to be respectful of someone older and wiser than yourself, I believe in some way you are thankful of the roads they’ve paved for future generations whether that be militarily, in the work force, at home and of course in the church.
This is one thing people my age sometimes miss, much to my disappointment.
We often think we were the first to ever think of a concept without taking into consideration the people who have come before us.
Millennials, take up your pride and respect our elders. They have lived long lives, most with trials and tribulations we may not experience in our lifetime.
Give them the respect and credit they are due, be thankful.
1 Corinthians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
On being thankful in general, I did not grow up having every single thing I ever wanted just handed to me. I also never went without anything I needed.
I did not have a job until I graduated high school, and for that I am grateful to my parents. They saw how working in high school didn’t give my older siblings the time they needed to dedicate themselves to their studies.
On that same note, when it was time for my twin sister and me to drive, because of past experience, my parents got my twin sister and me a nearly new car for peace of mind. To this day, eight years later, that car still runs like dream.
Some would say that is typical of a Millennial, and my parents were too soft on me or gave me too much, but I’ve never taken for granted the decisions they made, and credit graduating Valedictorian to my parents.
Once I got to college, my parents didn’t just write a check and tell me to go have fun. I have student loans, like most other Millennials.
Monthly, when I make those payments I’ll be making for the next five to 10 years, I am reminded at what a privileged life I get to live that I can pay my own way to school. I am thankful for my education and the job of which it prepared me.
On that note, as you give thanks this year, consider giving back to God, from whom all blessings flow.
2 Corinthians 9:10-11 says, “Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness, as you are enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.”
I will say, there were some people I knew in college whose parents did just write monthly checks and give them all the spending money they would ever need and more, and those peers of mine didn’t always value their education as much as I felt I did.
They are some of the Millennials you might see and scoff at or blame for the all of the world’s problems. But let me ask you before you go lumping us all into one general stereotype…
Do you remember being young? With age comes wisdom. You haven’t always been as wise as you are now. In fact, at one point in time you probably thought you were significantly wiser than you are today.
Was someone standing there chastising your entire generation because of that? Maybe there was. Be the generation that puts a stop to it.
I say all of this to say, some people have not been raised to expect hand-outs. For others, it is a way of life that the generation that raised us instilled into us as Millennials.
Patience is one of the best words I can think of when dealing with those not like yourself. Love is how the Lord did it.
So whether you’re a Millennial reading this, or you’re reading this because you think Millennials are too entitled, I encourage you to take a look within, but mostly I encourage you to be thankful for all the Lord has done for you.