Gen X and Aging

Gen Xers know that they’re the best generation. If you don’t think so, just ask one. With waterfall bangs that stood higher than any generation before or after and music they claim to be the best, there is compelling evidence that the coolest crew to ever rock flannel was born roughly between the mid-1960s and mid-1980s.

Gen X has always held a unique place in cultural history. The films that shaped the generation were adventurous with rebellious anthems as soundtracks. The stories were arguably a little bizarre, at least by the standards set by the generation’s predecessors, but who can compete with a DeLorean time machine and an extraterrestrial who just really wanted to phone home?

It’s Hip to Age

If you’re a card-carrying member of Generation X, keep reading. With everything about Gen X that there is to celebrate, there are plenty of reasons to Rock the Casbah. One thing you’re probably not celebrating is your aging body and saying goodbye to your youth.

If you’re like the millions of other people in Gen X, you’re probably feeling your age. Your Moonwalk is long gone, and these days, you count it a blessing to stay awake long enough to see what happens to Ferris. Your eyesight is fuzzier than a pirated VHS copy of The Lost Boys, and you can’t even imagine eating pizza after six like you used to.

Back in the day, you were the kid who figured out life over a bowl of Cap’n Crunch and a Choose Your Own Adventure book. You survived Y2K, mullets, and all that hairspray. It was once said that aging is better than the alternative. Just because you’ve outlived the Cabbage Patch Kid craze doesn’t mean that you’re celebrating the fact that you are now older than those actors who played all the “old” people in your favorite childhood sitcom.

Here you stand, all those priceless childhood memories are in the past, and you’re transitioning into the roles of grandparent, retiree, or Sophia Petrillo. While it is easy to reminisce about “the good old” days, it’s best to appreciate and learn from them, but not dwell there. God was directing every edgy, chaotic moment of your life to craft you into what He wanted you to be today.

Though you’re still trying to figure out your smartphone and wondering if you’ll have enough money to retire, your life isn’t over. His plan for you isn’t over. Just because the rotary phone is no longer relevant doesn’t mean you are obsolete.

Aging Gracefully

Hold-up, Gen X. Don’t ditch your flannel just yet. Overcoming this aging thing doesn’t mean denying it. Rather, own it, like a boss.

Laugh at it If you don’t chuckle at your creaky joints, you’re missing the perfect opportunity to make light of a negative situation, and that wouldn’t be very Gen X of you. The original “latchkey kids” learned how to survive on their own and often resorted to sarcasm and humor to do it. Don’t miss the opportunity to let your Gen X sarcasm fly, even at your own expense.

Lean on your tribe Those friends who remember when MTV played music videos are your people. Find folks your own age to swap war stories about rogue gray hairs and tips on how to survive the “It’s 3 a.m. and why am I awake?” blues. There is comfort in finding people who understand your pop culture references and are in the same stage of life as you’re facing.

Celebrate your strengths (and wins) With age comes wisdom and the ability to win at Trivial Pursuit. Just because you’re a little older doesn’t mean that you don’t have a lot to contribute to the world. In fact, it might mean that you have more wisdom to share, grace to give, and support to offer.

Pursue joy As parenting and caregiving responsibilities, second jobs, and the busyness of life with younger children begin to fade from your schedule, infuse it with activities you love. Maybe you never quite mastered the Rubik’s Cube. Well, now’s your chance! Join a dance class, learn to play the guitar, or pick up a paintbrush. Host a Breakfast Club with your pals. Do something you love to celebrate this special time in your life.

Grow in your faith With more time on your hands, you can spend more of it digging into the Word of God, praying, and fellowshipping with other faith-filled believers. Even if you have been following Christ for many years, there is still a lot to learn.

Mentor Your years on this earth have given you experience and wisdom. Your Gen X upbringing has given you self-reliance and independence. Share your practicality and spiritual insights with someone from a younger generation.

Monitor your health As you age, it’s important to eat a healthy diet, remain active, and get annual physicals. Join a fitness club or schedule an annual check-up. Discuss with your doctor ways to help keep yourself healthy.

Document your journey Start a journal, blog (aren’t you glad you don’t have to wait for dial-up internet anymore?), or even a digital scrapbook that weaves together your favorite memories from epic concerts to those crazy late-night adventures. Write your memoirs to share with future generations.

Embrace tech You might still miss the satisfying click of a Walkman, but today’s tech can keep you connected and entertained in ways that would’ve blown your teenage mind. Download a playlist of your favorite 80s and 90s jams. Try a gaming app to relive your Nintendo glory days. Not much is more satisfying than schooling your grandkids at Mario Kart with a smirk.

Rediscover your nonconformist roots You banged your head to punk rock and made some questionable life decisions based on a John Hughes film. You’ve turned your nose up at conformity all of your life, so why settle into a rocking chair now? Crank up some Nirvana and dye that gray streak electric blue. Who says that nonconformity has an expiration date?

Seeking Help for Aging

Seeking help may not be in your nature since Gen Xers are notorious for taking care of themselves. Your history of self-reliance may have internalized messages that discourage you from seeking help. However, it’s important to remember that even though you may feel like a loner who likes to solve your own problems, God made you for community.

It is beneficial for everyone to spend some time sorting through their childhood and lifetime experiences. None of us is without wounds or negative patterns that grew out of that. Now might be a good time to reach out to a licensed therapist. They can help you make sense not only of aging, but also of things that have hindered or troubled you over the years.

A counselor can help you sort through all your complicated emotions and concerns about aging. Your therapist can challenge you with opportunities for growth and offer you a renewed sense of purpose. If you are ready for this journey, reach out to our offices today. We can connect you with a therapist uniquely fit to explore what concerns you.

Back to the Future

Aging may have crashed the party uninvited, but you’re Gen X. You’ve got the grit to laugh in its face and keep on rocking. Maybe your amazing Moonwalk has retired, but you still have swagger and can smirk at the world with that “whatever” attitude you perfected back when VHS still ruled.

Gen X doesn’t do the slow fade into oblivion very well. Throw on your favorite flannel, crank up a classic mixtape – Duran Duran or Bust – and remember that you’re still the coolest crew on the block, no matter how many candles are on your birthday cake. Rock on, Gen X. Rock on.