Don’t Get Cancelled, Friend: A Guide for Older Millennials
Ah, cancel culture. The internet’s ever-present boogeyman, threatening to snatch away careers and reputations with a single tweet. But fear not, fellow older millennials (we’re roughly between 28 and 41 in 2024). While Gen Z’s cancel culture can feel intense, here’s how we can navigate it with grace and maybe even a little humor.
1. Remember the Context Shift: Let’s face it, our early social media days were…wild. Back then, Myspace profiles and AIM away messages were judgement-free zones (or so we thought). Today’s online landscape is different. Before hitting post, consider if a joke from 2008 lands the same way in 2024.
2. Be Mindful of Your Platform: Is your Facebook a curated highlight reel or a place to vent? Maybe use a close friends list or a different platform for the unfiltered stuff.
3. Own Your Mistakes (But Don’t Bury Yourself): We’ve all said something cringeworthy. If something resurfaces, a sincere apology demonstrating growth goes a long way.
4. Focus on What You Can Control: You can’t control what others say, but you can curate your online presence. Promote the work you’re proud of, the causes you care about, and the life you’re building.
5. Don’t Feed the Flames: The internet loves a pile-on. Engaging with negativity often makes it worse. Take a deep breath, step away, and address it later if needed, calmly and directly.
Bonus Tip: Embrace the Nuance! Not everything is black and white. Respectfully disagreeing with someone doesn’t have to be a war.
Remember, cancel culture thrives on outrage. By being mindful, taking responsibility, and focusing on the positive, we can navigate the online world with confidence. After all, we’re older millennials – we’ve overcome plenty in our day. We can handle this too.
