Why the dream of ‘having it all’ is finally dead

Ange, 32, used to have a clear idea of what “having it all” meant: a stable corporate job, a decent-size wedding, a house, and the ability to buy nice material goods every so often. But, like many young people, Ange has found that checking all of these boxes has felt less and less possible. She no longer works a nine-to-five, opting instead to use her skills as a freelance consultant in experiential marketing. (Ange is going by just her first name to speak freely about her experiences). “It’s going to be a longer run for me, since I am not relying on a corporate salary, to get to the life I dream to have. But I’m thankful my career can’t be replaced by AI,” Ange says. “Having side quests and being fractional professionals is how me and my friends have been building a future to ‘having it all’ and subside the effects of rising cost of living.” Truly having it all might have always been an illusion, especially since many people in society have to live in a system that works against them. But AI disruption, the cost-of-living crisis, political strife, and more have threatened the idea of reaching even some semblance of it. Young people have long faced claims of being lazy and disillu…