collapse of the old society

My friends all went to uni and I went straight into full time work after college. They were having a blast while i was speed running the adult human condition. They had overseas trips and big uni balls and I worked and saved.

By my mid 20s I'd bought a house and was quite advanced in my career, and now I'm middle aged I'm in a far better financial position than they are, and I'm old enough now to put aside FOMO for my youth.

But here's the thing, I did the work really hard thing and got the pay off that was promised. This generation? I don't think it matters what they do, they're fucked. And that's bitterly unfair.

If I were their age, at least in my country, I'd do a trade, travel, try and live off the grid or look into tiny homes and communal living. The system was always rigged but once upon a time there were ways you could get ahead, with some sacrifice and delayed gratification. It's just not true anymore and it's bullshit to tell them otherwise.

I'd counsel young people (again in my country) to learn useful skills and live it up. Don't even try to play the game.