Fiercely Independent Generation X? It’s a Great Age to Be!

My generation is known as Generation X. We are the generation after the Baby Boomers. We are known to be fiercely independent, creative, and workaholics. Generation X is a smaller population than the two generations that sandwich us, Boomers and Millennials. A good percentage of us come from single-parent homes. We were the MTV generation in our adolescent years. good workers. We are more inclusive in our thinking than the generation before us as well.

Generation X is now in their fifties or close to it. And to be honest, I love this phase of my life. I love the tranquility it has brought me.

In midlife during the early 21st century, research describes them as active, happy, and achieving a work–life balance. The cohort has also been credited as entrepreneurial and productive in the workplace more broadly. (Wikipedia)

Over Fifty and Loving It

Senior discounts for people over fifty are a plus! I always look to see if establishments offer them. Not all do. Most offer it to people over 65, but I have found some pretty good discounts.

Financial freedom is also a great feeling. We worked hard in our younger years and saved money. Right now our only debt is our mortgage and it should be paid off in a handful of years. Not worrying about paying credit card debt, the kids’ education and car payments is a great feeling.

No Peer Pressure to Cope With. Peer pressure for me is a thing of the past. I used to worry so much about what others thought or said. I worried that I wasn’t pretty enough, or skinny enough, or smart enough. Not anymore. I am happy with the woman I have become. Yes, I’m not as skinny as I want to be, but I want to lose weight for myself, not for anyone else. Peer pressure is tough, especially the pressure women put on other women.

More Things I Love About Being Generation X

Raising Children was Successful. There is a huge responsibility when you are a parent to raise your children well. Not only to provide for their needs but also to not make mistakes that will cause permanent damage. I am so proud of the adults my children have become. (Typing this while patting myself on the back!) I will always be a parent and I love my role. But now I get to enjoy them more and I can exhale.

Wisdom comes with age. I have lived so many life-changing experiences and I am so much wiser for them. As we age, we have a lot more years to look back on. We can see where we have made mistakes. What we have done well. How we can be better. I am so grateful for the years I’ve lived and all the experiences, the people, and the faith that have shaped me into the woman I am.

There is balance in life. I was a workaholic when I was younger. It was always a challenge to be a wife, a mom, and have a successful career. Whoever says you can do it all perfectly, is lying. There were important events in my children’s lives that I missed out on. There were career opportunities that I couldn’t take. We even had to hire help in order to save our marriage. I couldn’t do it all on my own. Now, I am able to enjoy life more and no longer feel the pressure of balancing home and career. My husband and I spend more time together. I keep in touch with family and friends more. I take time for myself and do things I truly enjoy.

Things I Enjoy the Least as a Generation X Over 50 Woman

Coming to the realization that I should have taken better care of myself. This is a fault of most women my age. We wanted it all and somehow, we forgot about taking care of ourselves as we should have. I didn’t exercise enough. I could have taken better care of my oral hygiene. Eating healthier would have helped. The good news is that I am doing all those things now.

Aches and pains and maintenance meds, oh my! I’ve never been much for doing exercises. So, imagine my surprise when my muscles started hurting because they were inflamed. It was nothing I’d done, but that’s the nature of having been diagnosed with an auto-immune disease after age 50.  Now I have to take medications for the rest of my life. I used to never take any maintenance medication. Now, it’s an everyday thing.

Hot Flashes!!! Yikes, these are brutal. I thought I was over them when I had my hysterectomy in my 40s, but for some reason, they have returned. The moment the environment that surrounds me gets a little hot, here comes a hot flash! It doesn’t last long, but all the make-up runs, the hairline is sweaty, and the blouse is wet. Not a good feeling for sure.

Colonoscopy prep is a necessary evil. The prep for the colonoscopy is the worst, but I am glad I have had them done because each time I have polyps removed that are precancerous. So, even though I hate the prep, I am grateful for the results.

Conclusion

I think Generation X is a great generation to be in. Being over fifty definitely has its perks. It actually has more pros than cons in my eyes. I think being a woman over fifty is pretty cool, too.

Take Action Today

What things do you like about being over 50? Are there things don’t you like?