A few weeks ago, I overheard a conversation between two teenagers at a coffee shop.
One of them was panicking over not having enough followers on a platform I hadn’t even heard of.
The other reassured them with something like, “Don’t worry, just post more and be extra relatable.”
It made me think about how much pressure younger generations face today—not just to succeed, but to be seen succeeding.
There’s no denying that technology has changed everything.
But there’s something grounding about the way Gen X—those born roughly between the mid-60s and early 80s—moved through the world.
They didn’t grow up with constant notifications, perfectly curated feeds, or an endless need to perform.
And while every generation has something valuable to offer, there are certain life lessons from Gen X that I think we’d do well to revisit.
Let’s get into them.
1. You don’t have to share everything
Growing up in the Gen X era meant privacy was the norm, not the exception.
There were no Instagram stories to document every meal, no daily tweets about what annoyed you, and no pressure to constantly share your opinion.
That doesn’t mean they didn’t have deep thoughts or rich lives. They just didn’t feel the need to broadcast every moment.
Younger generations have grown up in a world that rewards visibility. But there’s quiet power in holding something back.
Not everything needs to be shared to be real. Some of the most meaningful parts of your life are meant just for you.
2. Learn to be resourceful, not just connected
Gen X didn’t have the luxury of Googling the answer to every question.
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If something broke, they tried to fix it themselves.
If they needed to write a paper, they did the slow and painstaking process of browsing through card catalogs and finding the books they needed at the library.
If they didn’t know how to do something, they’d ask someone or figure it out through trial and error.
There’s a kind of grounded self-reliance that comes from that approach.
We live in a time where answers are a tap away. But convenience isn’t always the same as competence.
Resourcefulness isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about staying calm, getting creative, and trusting that you can figure things out.
That’s a muscle worth strengthening.
3. Stop glorifying burnout
There’s this odd pride that sometimes creeps into our culture: the busier you are, the more important you must be.
Gen X saw that grind up close—many of them had parents who worked nonstop or tied their worth to career success.
So when Gen X came into their own, many of them quietly decided that wasn’t the life they wanted.
They started pushing back on the hustle narrative before it became trendy to do so.
Now, I know a lot of Gen Xers who prioritize balance over burnout. They work hard, but they’re not afraid to take breaks, go off the grid, or unplug for the weekend.
That’s not laziness—it’s wisdom.
4. Embrace boredom
Do you remember boredom?
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Gen X certainly does. Waiting at the doctor’s office. Sitting in the car with no music. Wandering the aisles of a store while your parents ran errands.
They had to sit with stillness—and as inconvenient as that sounds, it gave their minds room to wander.
Some of their creativity came from not being constantly entertained.
In contrast, most of us fill every spare second these days with scrolling.
But as Gen X has shown, boredom isn’t something to fear—it’s often the gateway to insight, clarity, and even innovation. That’s exactly what research says, too.
So next time you’re tempted to pull out your phone, resist it. Try doing nothing instead. See where your mind goes when it’s not being pulled in a hundred directions.
5. Get comfortable with being unliked
Because they didn’t grow up with social media, Gen X was raised without likes, shares, or digital applause.
They didn’t grow up addicted to approval metrics. And because of that, many of them developed a quiet confidence in who they were—even if it wasn’t trendy.
Younger generations are under constant pressure to curate themselves to appeal to everyone.
Trying to please the entire internet is a losing game.
Sometimes standing in your truth means being misunderstood. Sometimes it means being unliked.
And it might be uncomfortable, but in the long run, it actually frees you.
When you stop chasing external approval, you create space to actually listen to yourself. To make decisions based on values, not validation. To show up as your full self—unfiltered, honest, and real.
Gen X reminds us that you don’t need a standing ovation to live a meaningful life. You just need the courage to be okay with not being everyone’s cup of tea.
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6. Build things slowly
Everything today feels like it has to happen fast.
Career. Success. Love. Influence.
We’ve been conditioned to think that if it doesn’t happen overnight, it might not be worth it.
But Gen X took a different path. They didn’t have viral moments. They built their careers, relationships, and homes step by step.
It was slower, yes. But there was pride in the process.
The slow path teaches patience and resilience. And it builds things that are more likely to last.
That’s something we all could do well to keep in mind in today’s fast-paced lifestyle.
7. Learn how to disconnect—and mean it
Again, Gen X didn’t grow up with phones glued to their hands.
As a result, they had natural boundaries with technology because it wasn’t embedded in their lives.
That kind of disconnection created space for reflection, rest, and real conversations.
Now, we need to be more intentional about it.
Try these, just once a week:
- Leave your phone at home for a walk.
- Log off social media for 24 hours.
- Turn off all notifications for an evening.
You don’t have to disappear forever. But taking regular digital breaks can help you reconnect with yourself.
8. Don’t confuse rebellion with authenticity
Gen X had its fair share of rebels—punk rockers, grunge kids, anti-establishment types.
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But underneath it all, many of them were simply trying to be true to themselves.
Their rebellion was less about performance and more about alignment and integrity.
Today, it can be tempting to adopt a certain “aesthetic” or identity just to stand out. But Gen X reminds us that true authenticity isn’t loud.
It’s not about how you dress or what you post. It’s about doing what feels right—even when no one’s watching.
That kind of quiet self-respect is what gives you staying power.
Final thoughts
We’re not here to idolize one generation or bash another. But there’s real wisdom in looking back.
Gen X navigated life before the digital storm. And in that space, they developed habits, values, and a kind of resilience that many of us could benefit from today.
So here’s the question: which of these lessons could you explore this week?
Not all of them, just one. Start small.
The good stuff builds quietly.
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