Locus of Control: The Gen Z Mental Trap
When the macro world feels chaotic, unpredictable, and hostile, human psychology undergoes a massive shift from an internal locus of control to an external one.
When buying a house feels impossible, politics feels like reality TV, and AI threatens to replace your college degree overnight, investing in the future feels like a losing game. So Gen Z scrambles to find a domain they can actually govern: their digital identity and internal emotional state. Instead of building a real life, we hyper-invest in the micro-narrative of our feelings. We curate an aesthetic instead of taking action, and post about our problems instead of solving them. It's a brilliant defense mechanism for chaos—but a catastrophic way to live.
💬 Are you curating an aesthetic or actually building your life? Drop your perspective in the comments—I read and reply to everyone!
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This video is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room.
About Michael
I'm Michael, a mental health creator, recovered alcoholic, future therapist, and the host of Sober Psychology. After realizing how much of the traditional mental health conversation misses the mark, I decided to build a space dedicated to raw, unfiltered self-examination and personal healing. My approach combines psychological principles with brutal honesty and hard truths, cutting through the noise to help people navigate their own growth. No toxic positivity, no hidden shame—just real conversations about what it actually takes to heal.