Plot twist: Gen Z is hopeful again. Yes, the very same generation known for turning existential dread and “we’re all doomed” humor into memes. You could say they’re “hopemaxxing”—intentionally leaning into small moments of gratitude and joy wherever they can find them. Since late last year, YPulse has seen constant new trends centered around celebrating life’s little wins coming from Gen Z. Around New Year’s, there were “accomplishment cakes,” desserts topped with toothpicks that each represented a personal victory or meaningful moment from the past year. They turned clips of Jon Hamm blissfully dancing into memes for hyper-specific moments of pure, unbothered joy and even expressed their yearning for the “Millennial optimism” the last gen had in young adulthood. While this shift might feel surprising, the reality is that Gen Z is balancing irony with optimism. YPulse’s Life Milestones report shows 84% of teens (13-17-year-olds) and 73% of young adults (18-24-year-olds) say they feel hopeful about the year ahead rather than hopeless. That’s not to say Gen Z is...
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