The Delulu Generation - Gen Z

My screen time said “bro go touch grass”

but the outside temperature is literally “air fryer mode,”

so I stayed inside and watched motivational reels

while lying like a defeated potato on the bed.

Asian parents really think

phone = entire reason for every problem in existence.

Bad marks? Phone.

Headache? Phone.

Climate change? Somehow also phone.

Meanwhile they send “GOOD MORNING” videos

to 47 family groups before sunrise.

I’m surviving on

instant noodles, delusion,

and fake scenarios before sleeping.

One “k.” message can ruin my whole week.

I overthink like it’s a full-time job with unpaid overtime.

Offline friends:

“Let’s hang out soon!”

Online friends at 2:13 AM:

“I understand your entire soul.”

And honestly?

sometimes the online friend from another country

knows more lore about my life

than the people sitting next to me at school.

Strict parents got us living double lives.

One personality at home:

“yes mother, no mother, studying mother.” 

Actual reality:

laughing at memes during online class

with camera off and zero shame.

The panic when footsteps come near your room

while you’re watching edits, fan cams, or random chaos videos—

Olympic-level fear.

And don’t even mention K-pop.

Parents hear one song and act like

the music personally destroyed civilization.

“You don’t understand the lyrics!”

Exactly. That’s the aesthetic.

Every Gen Z kid in South Asia

has mastered the ancient martial art

of lowering brightness in 0.2 seconds.

We grew up hearing:

“Kids these days are too sensitive.”

Bro we witnessed

pandemics, exam pressure, family expectations,

internet toxicity, comparison culture,

and relatives asking career plans at age thirteen.

Of course we’re cooked.

And the dirty-minded moments? 

Teacher says “come in pairs”

and suddenly the entire class fighting demons internally.

Someone accidentally moans while stretching in class

and now nobody can make eye contact for the next three business days.

Also why do parents think

if we laugh while texting,

we are definitely talking to a future husband/wife?

No aunty.

My friend just sent a sticker saying

“emotional damage.”

Honestly though,

behind all the sarcasm and “I’m fine fr,”

most of us are just tired kids

trying to become successful

without disappointing our parents

or ourselves.

But still…

we laugh too loud,

share memes during breakdowns,

make impossible dreams at 1 AM,

and somehow keep going.

Low battery.

Low motivation.

High expectations.

Peak Gen Z behavior. 

-Sakina Banu