Why long relationships are becoming less common
For the true millennial, the word ‘doubt’ is completely central. Everything is possible and we want everything, so, well, making choices is for amateurs.
Because just try to tackle that. To buy a house or not, to do a third study, to live together and get married and have babies, to look for another job or not, and to go on that world trip or not. Especially those decisions in the realm of love seem to be our downfall. Because this relationship,eh: is this really what we want? Are we really happy here? How good do we actually find the sex? IS THIS IT?
Moreover, the choice is bigger than ever. Because nowadays we are just a swipe away from an exciting night with a new protégé and we strive for perfection more than ever, nesting with one person is not that easy. Only the fool knows exactly what he wants, after all.
Yet we can do it, we, as the ultimate millennial. Research shows that a serious relationship of the average millennial lasts an average of 4.2 years. That's quite long, so that sounds good. But appearances can be deceiving. Because yet another thing of this time: blinking lights. In other words: it's all roses and thick fat on, no, out again, doubt, I miss you, I'm back, I'm leaving again, come on, let's try again, no, maybe just a year or two of dating, oh, yes, we do fit together, so come on, let's get a dog.
Nothing false about this way of doing things, because it sounds suspiciously familiar to me.
Yet many millennials also completely fail when it comes to serious love business. A large part of the group suffers from commitment issues. The constant worries about whether he with his skinny jeans and backpack is really the ultimate man of your life and whether you might not be able to laugh more with that hunk from the coffee shop on the corner where he makes cappuccinos for 4.50 euros for you. And isn't that freelance yoga teacher better than that nature photographer you're dating now? That weekend in Paris wasn't that exciting together. And what about that nice guy with the beard? Meh, he does have a 9 to 5 office job and is in l o o n d i e n s t. OMG. But he is good at cooking. DOUBT. Sigh. It can be exhausting.
We say: just do it. Choose one man, we mean. It gives so much peace if you are a bit more often happy with what you have in a relationship instead of constantly complaining about what you don't have. No, the grass is not always greener and no, receiving expensive cappuccinos as a gift will get boring over time. And otherwise, you can always go on that world trip.
FACTS
– Who are those so-called millennials? The term is used for the generation born between 1980 and 2000, also known as Generation Y.
– What mainly characterizes the millennial? The world is open to them and they can do almost anything they want in terms of background and education, but this leads to choice stress and they get tangled up with themselves.
Written by: Tessa Heinhuis
