Gen X is the cool generation: the middle child of generations. It never asked for flowers and cakes, but let’s be real-they deserved them. They were miles ahead of everyone else in fashion, technology, and an attitude that beamed authenticity. So, the next time someone says that they are the ‘forgotten generation,’ you just tell them that they allowed you to run because they had walked deliberately.
They Invented ‘Work-Life Balance’ Before That Was a Buzzword
While Baby Boomers glorified overwork, and Millennials were branded “lazy” for doing otherwise, Gen X quietly perfected the work-life balance. They worked hard yet knew when to clock out and head to Nirvana shows. They weren’t into hustle culture but lived life according to their own expectations, proving that burnout should never be glorified.
They Were the Original ‘Remote Workers’
Long before Zoom meetings and the existence of digital nomads, Gen X did what we would now call freelancing, side hustling, or running a business from the garage before it became cool. Now that working remotely is the future, Gen X can safely say, “Told you so”.
They Were Rocking Thrifted Fashion Before It Was ‘Sustainable’
Gen Z and Millennials may think they invented thrifting, but their forebears, Gen X, lived in thrift stores. Flannel shirts, ripped jeans, and vintage band tees proved style is never about designer labels; it’s about attitude. Today’s fast-fashion backlash? Gen X saw it coming decades ago.
They Brought Punk and Grunge into the Mainstream
Before Spotify playlists marvelously included indie rock, Generation X discovered whole underground bands in record stores. They went from garage rock to the world arena via punk, grunge, and alternative genres, showing them that any raw, real, and fully rebel beat will trump a polished pop any time.
They Called Out Fake News Before Social Media Existed
In the positive sense, while Gen X grew up with tabloids and sensationalized news, they learned to be skeptical, something newer generations are trying to do. So, for them, “Don’t believe everything you read” was not just some warning; it was a way of life.
They Mastered the ‘Side Hustle’ Before it Was a Thing
The gig economy? Multiple income sources? For Generation X, that was the ’80s. Babysitting, record flipping, making zines, tutoring; a million and one more ways this generation already knew how to indulge in informal assignments long before it became a survival strategy.
Flannel Shirts and Grunge Attitude
Before athleisure was a thing, Gen X was living life “effortlessly cool,” decked in flannel shirts with a distinctly grunge vibe. Not only was it a look; it was a cultural insurrection against the luxuriant excesses of the ’80s. Ripped jeans and combat boots worn under flannel were more than just a fashion choice; they became a cultural moment that inspired the direction of wardrobes forever forward.
They Were the First to Reject Traditional Corporate Culture
I guess none of them left their toxic jobs or fought against corporate nonsense like Gen X did. They were the first to say, “Actually, I don’t dream of labor” – decades before it trended on TikTok. Casual Dress Codes? Flexible Hours? Thank Gen X again.
They Turned ‘Anti-Consumerism’ into a Movement
Minimalism? An antibrand culture? Old news. Gen X had rejected big corporations, overpriced logos, and too much clutter before it became a TED Talk. They didn’t need Marie Kondo to show them less is more; they lived it.
Zine Culture
Before the world of blogs and TikTok, Generation X made homemade and self-published magazines-aka zines. This was a really intimate and personal way for them to express ideas about music, politics, etc. Think of them as the original influencers putting out niche content long before algorithms kicked in. These were not merely publications; they were painstakingly created passion projects imbued with an edge.
They had DIY Culture on Lock
Long before the YouTube tutorials made everyone a YouTube expert in DIY, Gen X was doing everything themselves. They were repairing cars, cutting their own hair, and burning CDs long before Google made it easy.
Oversized Everything
Baggy jeans, oversized sweaters, and a whatever-I’m-comfy attitude-that was Gen X style. Decades later, oversized fits are back on-trend, proving that comfort and coolness will never go out of style. Whether it was the grunge, hip-hop, or plain disobedience mentality, Gen X undeniably made baggy work, and they did so with effortless chic.
They Revolutionized the Way We Watch Television
Generation X was the first society to engage in binge-watching by means of VHS and DVDs. The actual binge-watching was by those series recorded by them as a result of programs being aired way before Netflix existed; they learned how to skip commercials long before any streaming services came into the picture.
Minimalist Interior Design
If Boomers went crazy for florals and Millennials wished for boho, Gen X introduced the minimalist aesthetic to the world. Think clean lines, black leather, and exposed brick. This energy is pure Gen X. Their tendency to simplify every interior decor into plain but functional made it the standard template for modern interiors.
The Sarcastic Sense of Humor
Gen Xers perfected sarcasm. That’s in their sitcoms—Friends, for one—and down to the minutiae of all patterns they threw around. They had an unbeatable quickness of dry wit. The memes and snarky tweets? Their humor didn’t just make you laugh: it made you think, with a raised eyebrow for extra effect.
They Knew the Life Beyond the Internet
Before there were constant notifications and doom scrolling, Gen X lived the moment—not that they had an option! They thrived without smartphones, Wi-Fi, or social media. They weren’t glued to the screen but instead were masters of face-to-face communication, mixtape trading, and handwritten letters. Are those not exactly the things we wish to return to now?
17 Things Boomers Got Right (and Millennials Secretly Admire)
From handwritten notes to rock-solid relationships, their “old-school” ways often remind us that not everything needs an app or shortcut. Whether we like it or not, there are those moments when you cannot help but say, “Okay, that’s actually kind of brilliant.”
17 Things Boomers Got Right (and Millennials Secretly Admire)
Annoying Words That Are Overused by Gen Z
While some of these phrases may be fun and playful, others can be seen as repetitive or straight cringeworthy. In this age of social media and digital communication, these overused words and phrases can spread quickly and become ubiquitous, making it annoying to Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers.
Annoying Words That Are Overused by Gen Z