Withholding Our Gifts

🎨 Collage: Justine Anweiler, LJ Lavender Haze, 2025.

Why Millennials and Gen Z Are Rethinking Work 🐣

You know when you have one of those instant scary thoughts that you quickly brush away but you also know there is a haunting truth in it?!!

I had one of those yesterday. It was this “what if I don’t ever want to work?”

It came off the back of something I had encountered earlier that day about our universal need to be in service and our purpose in belonging.

So I began thinking:

what if I’m different?
what if I have nothing to give?
what if I don’t want to give it?

And as we do . . . I swept it away. Parked it for later and tried my best to carry on with my day.

That evening, before drifting off to sleep, I recalled the feeling and a bodily sensation came online. The younger child-like part (see my post on IFS for context) revealed itself to me as two colours: lavender and daffodil yellow ~ easter vibes.

I stayed in a lucid state just witnessing the colour whilst holding the intention of: where does this fear come from?

Here’s what I learned …

At a very young age, I created something like a colouring. I put so much of me into it. I put so much love into the creation, and as I chose the best colours and my vision came to life, so did my growing excitement to give it to another. I was so proud of it. It felt like all of me.

In a time of turmoil, the person receiving it – dismissed it. They had adult things going on, and my gift wasn’t a priority. So I was left with this gift that meant the world to me but was not valued by others.

It was confusing. I was confused.

**** timeline jump to 2025 ****

There are endless articles about Millenials and Gen Z’s leaving the workforce early or refusing to enter it altogether. Why? Because the conditions are not there to support us giving our colourings away.

Now 2 things I believe to be true in this learning are:

1. The human assignment is to share our gifts through service.

2. Younger generations feel more protective and discerning over whom we give our gifts to.

So where does that leave us?

Many people like myself, feel disillusioned, disturbed, and disheartened by the ways of the world so we have retreated to recharge, recalibrate, and regroup.

I support this.

And . . . I think the resurgence will be fascinating –> we are in it!

Those removed from the workforce are learning to value their own colouring pieces and tuning their forks to attract the people who will most value them.

I don’t believe many of us will never work again.

I feel we will reemerge with purpose, clarity, and a gravitas unseen in the generations before us 🐦‍🔥

There is work to be done and gifts to be given.

Hold space. Give time. Show love for those gathering strength.
We are the paradigm shifters.

Article FAQs generated by ChatGPT:
1. How can Millennials and Gen Z redefine work to align with their values rather than rejecting it entirely?
Many younger workers are seeking purpose-driven, flexible, and balanced careers rather than traditional, exploitative work models. Redefining work could involve freelancing, entrepreneurship, cooperative business models, or passion-based careers that allow them to share their gifts without burnout.

2. What steps can someone take to regain trust in sharing their “gifts” after feeling undervalued in the past?
Healing past wounds around rejection or dismissal can involve self-reflection, therapy (like IFS), and gradually practicing sharing in safe spaces. Finding aligned communities, setting boundaries, and recognizing intrinsic self-worth—independent of external validation—are key steps.

3. What signs indicate that someone is ready to “reemerge” after retreating from work or societal expectations?
Readiness often shows up as renewed energy, a clear sense of direction, and the feeling of being called to contribute rather than obligated. It may also manifest in a strong pull toward certain projects, communities, or causes, signaling it’s time to engage again.