Jealousy ain't cute for real. #GenXJealousMuch
Image by BuzzFeed
“I am proud to be a Gen X and to me it’s is about optimizing your opportunities to make life softer, easier, and enhanced. If that makes you feel a type of way, maybe it’s jealousy speaking.” - Gen Z
Something I learned is that older generations don’t hate the next generation because of their language or way they dress. It’s because they don’t act, dress, speak, and think the same way they did. I noticed that older generations like my parents love to hate Gen Zs that don’t follow directly in their footsteps. I still remember the fear when I told my parents I didn’t want to become a doctor or lawyer but be a full time digital content creator. To them, that’s like committing a sin. Trust me - I got a whole lecture. They want stability not a new idea or silly Tiktok career. It’s not that they weren’t happy for me but they were jealous that there was a new norm in my era that they never got the chance to experience. They were molded to pursue a nine to five, save, and invest to reach a peaceful bank account. They know that Gen Xs are achieving this faster and it scares them.
My Gen X bosses act the same way. My boss complained that I was using AI and social media to draft pitches and market products. It’s not that they weren’t proud or necessarily stunned by my work but they were jealous that our generation is able to put in less work for more success. I wish that more Gen X can resort to compliments and acceptance, marking our new features of our era as strengths not cons.
My parents are slowly becoming premature Gen X asking me to help them set up Amazon accounts and social media posts. They realize that Gen X and their ways are a strength and contribution to their lifestyle, allowing them to find a community and presence that they never knew existed. It’s almost hypocritical for older generations to utilize our methods without acknowledging the benefits and pros of the era that essentially invented it. I am proud to be a Gen X and to me it’s is about optimizing your opportunities to make life softer, easier, and enhanced. If that makes you feel a type of way, maybe it’s jealousy speaking.