I’m writing this in September 2025. And maybe if you’re reading this later, things have already shifted again. But for now, this is the world as I see it, and I’m trying to make sense of where someone like me fits into it.
The World Feels Fragile
Every headline I read reminds me that the world economy isn’t stable. The Russia-Ukraine war still drags on, affecting global energy and food markets. At the same time, tensions in the Middle East create new risks for trade and investment. And while I’m not here to take political sides, the reality is clear: these conflicts have ripple effects that reach every corner of the economy.
Inflation is still high in many regions. According to the World Economic Forum, young people are being hit hardest by the cost-of-living crisis. Our parents might have been able to buy land or build a house with one salary. For us, those same dreams feel out of reach. The math just doesn’t add up anymore.
Asking Myself Where I Fit
So I find myself asking: where do I fit in all of this? I can’t control the price of oil, I can’t stop wars, and I can’t regulate how monopolies run global markets. But I also can’t ignore that these forces affect me. Even as someone leaning toward the digital space, I’m not immune. If clients in certain countries are disrupted, if exchange rates collapse, if inflation eats into savings, then my personal economy is shaken too.
Lessons from Chaos
I’ve started to think of this season as a training ground. Maybe this is what it means to be young right now: to figure out how to stand steady in shifting ground. I remind myself of examples in nature, like buffaloes that run into the storm instead of away from it. Facing the chaos head-on often gets you through faster than running from it. Maybe that’s how I need to see the economy too: not as something to escape, but as something to study, engage with, and adapt to.
Where I See Openings
When I zoom out, I notice that even in the middle of instability, opportunities exist:
- Digital skills are still in demand. Remote work, remote infrastructure, cybersecurity, and AI-driven tools continue to grow.
- Geographic arbitrage is real. Living in lower-cost regions while serving clients in stronger currencies can cushion inflation.
- Lean operations matter more than ever. Businesses that don’t carry heavy fixed costs survive better when markets wobble.
- Diversification isn’t just a buzzword. Multiple income streams and small investments across sectors make sense when volatility is normal.
A Personal Reflection
I don’t want to make this sound like I have it all figured out. I don’t. I still feel the uncertainty. I still question whether I’m doing enough, whether I should be saving more, learning faster, or moving differently. But what I do know is that the old world, the one where stability was assumed, doesn’t exist for us. Our reality is volatility. And maybe the best way to approach it is not to hope it goes back to “normal,” but to build ourselves to thrive in the new normal.
Conclusion
If you’re reading this with me in 2025, maybe you feel the same tension. And if you’re reading this later, maybe the storms have shifted again. That’s the point: they always will. The shifting global economy is our reality. The question is not whether the storm will pass, but whether we’re training ourselves to face it when it comes.
FAQ
Q: Why does this matter to young adults?
A: Because the cost of living and wage stagnation directly shape our ability to build wealth, invest, or even plan for the future. It’s not abstract, it’s our daily life.
Q: What can someone actually do in this kind of economy?
A: Build digital and global skills, stay lean, diversify income, and stay informed. We can’t control the world, but we can control how we prepare for it.
