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A Stressed-Out Gen-Z
Let’s be real: being Gen-Z is like being handed a video game with no tutorial, broken cheat codes, and constant updates you didn’t ask for. One moment you’re drowning in student loans or credit card debt, the next you’re lying awake at 2 a.m. overthinking texts you didn’t send, all while realizing your body looks more like “dad mode” than “main character mode.” And somehow, you’re expected to smile through it all on Instagram like life is picture-perfect. Spoiler: it’s not.
Debt, depression, and a dad bod—what I like to call the “Big 3”—aren’t just random issues; they’re interconnected villains that feed off each other. Debt makes you anxious, anxiety drives depression, depression makes you eat more or skip workouts, and boom—your body becomes collateral damage. And when you don’t feel good in your own skin, you spiral back into stress-shopping or avoiding responsibilities, which only digs the hole deeper. It’s a vicious loop, but it’s one we can break.
So, how am I trying to tackle them? Not with fake “5 easy steps” or motivational nonsense, but with brutally honest strategies that actually work when you’re at rock bottom.
1. Tackling Debt Without Losing My Mind
Debt feels like a monster that grows every time you look away. The truth? Avoidance makes it worse. I started by tracking every single rupee/dollar spent—not on some fancy app, just in a messy notes file on my phone. Seeing where the money leaks (late-night takeout, subscriptions I forgot about) was sobering. Then I made peace with the fact that I can’t erase debt overnight. Instead, I focus on “minimum + a little extra.” Paying just slightly above the minimum chips away faster than you’d think. Also, side hustles aren’t glamorous, but selling old stuff or freelancing gave me enough breathing room to feel like I wasn’t drowning.
2. Facing Depression Without Pretending Everything Is Fine
Depression doesn’t disappear with “positive vibes only” or a cold shower. For me, it started with admitting I was not okay. Journaling sounds cliché, but writing down the chaos in my head keeps me from exploding. I also told one friend the unfiltered truth—no filters, no fake smile. That conversation alone felt like unloading a heavy backpack I’d carried for years. Therapy, when I could afford it, became another lifeline. And on days I couldn’t afford therapy, free podcasts, online support groups, and even long walks filled some of the gaps. Depression thrives in silence, and the scariest but bravest step is talking.
3. Battling the Dad Bod Without Becoming a Gym Bro
I used to think “fixing my body” meant endless hours at the gym. That mindset just made me quit faster. So I started small: walking instead of doomscrolling, bodyweight workouts in my room, and swapping soda for water (yes, it sucked at first). I didn’t chase abs—I chased consistency. And weirdly enough, the physical changes followed slowly, but the mental clarity hit me faster. Moving my body became less about “looking hot” and more about “not feeling like crap.” That shift was game-changing.
4. Connecting the Dots: The Big 3 Are Not Separate
Here’s the truth no one tells you: these struggles aren’t isolated. Fixing one helps fix the others. Working out boosted my mood, which reduced my depressive spirals, which made me spend less on “retail therapy,” which helped my debt. Every small win stacked up. It’s less about chasing perfection and more about breaking the cycle one step at a time.
5. The Ongoing Work-in-Progress
I’m not writing this as someone who’s “figured it all out.” I’m still in debt, I still have bad days, and yes, my body still fights me sometimes. But the difference is, I’m no longer stuck in denial. I’m learning to reboot instead of giving up. The Big 3 aren’t unbeatable—they just take honesty, patience, and the courage to start small.
FAQs (Because I Know You’re Wondering)
Q: How do you stay motivated when progress is so slow?
A: I stopped chasing motivation. Instead, I rely on routine. Even if I don’t “feel like it,” I show up in the smallest way possible. Tiny steps matter.
Q: What if I don’t have money for therapy or gyms?
A: Free resources online are underrated—YouTube workouts, Reddit mental health communities, podcasts, and journaling cost nothing but can shift your mindset.
Q: What if I relapse—overspend, skip workouts, or spiral?
A: Then welcome to being human. The key is not perfection; it’s recovery. Get back on track faster each time instead of giving up completely.
So if you’re a fellow Gen-Z carrying the weight of the Big 3, hear me out: you’re not broken. You’re just debugging life on hard mode. And sometimes, that’s the most human thing you can do.