As an early 90’s millennial, I’ve never noticed a “gen z stare” as described in news articles like a “blank face that shows lack of social skill or ability to think”. The only times I’ve witnessed it happen and seen the older person accuse them of “gen z stare” is when the older person says something off hand or dumb but isn’t self aware enough to realize they’re being weird. Hell, I’ve given people a blank face countless times because I was taught it was better to say nothing at all sometimes. Especially when it came to talking to older people at work.
I remember when I was 16, some middle aged guy at work accused me of having no personality. In reality, I kept all conversations short as possible with him (like almost everyone in the store) because they were casually racist and misogynistic.
I am a millennial mom to a gen Z teenager and have noticed this as well actually. I wasn’t sure if it was just that my kids friends are weird or what lol. I said hello and they stare with a small “hey” or don’t say anything back while avoiding eye contact?? Lol… Like I am your friends mom? You should probably at least take a “hello”???
Edit: Now that I am reading these comments as a therapist it actually sounds like trauma? The zoning out and being lost in thought happens with chronic trauma victims. It sounds like disassociating from growing up with COVID and other systemically traumatic environments during crucial development periods. Sad
makes sense with the world we are in not just covid, and not just young people.
I started doing this a lot several years ago and I don’t know what the cause is or what can be done about it
Also, wanted to add stuff like Niagara App for clean tech and Finch which is a cute wellness app that can help build positive habits and it’s super adorable. Maybe it will help? Just some ideas to throw out there that have worked for me.
Taking breaks away from technology. Camping? When you are able to - sit with your thoughts and accept them instead of fighting against them. The more we avoid and deny ourselves the ability to feel we end up oppressing and disassociating. You are worthy of love and you are allowed to feel anger and sadness as well. It’s normal. Especially lately. Humans have gone through collective trauma for years now, not even counting COVID, and that was a huge one too. It’s normal to feel like shit sometimes. Lean on the local community more than ever before. View your local community as a tribe, it helps after natural disasters. There is collective healing that needs to be done.
Also, this breathing technique daily for a few weeks even outside of stressful situations: “Box breathing is a deep breathing technique that involves inhaling, holding the breath, exhaling, and holding again, each for a count of four seconds. It helps reduce stress, improve focus, and calm the nervous system, making it useful in high-pressure situations.”