Gen Z's Summer of Optimism

It's a beautiful day to go outside. More than anything else, and especially for younger Zoomers, this summer has been characterized by the experience of the pandemic, which left many still feeling bitter and isolated even years later. But lately, the vibes are very different.

Performative pessimism is out. The summer of 2026 has been called a 'Great American Sleepover' that will be known decades from now as 'the good ole days' and 'the best of times. After years of post-pandemic malaise that saw young people's mental health plummet as they opted for online engagement over offline opportunities, embraced a politics of doubt, and channeled their frustration into nostalgia for simpler times, nature is finally healing.

A cohort whose coming of age was stunted by the chaos of 2020 is finally coming out of its shell. We've seen it in packed movie theaters and record-smashing ticket sales for Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey.