In a counseling session last week, I worked with a young woman in her mid-20's that informed me that Gen-X had "checked out" and "abandoned the Millenials."
She was feeling out of sorts because she had observed that many Gen-Xers seemed to be "trucking along" by successfully managing their relationships, their careers, and their money. She, on the other hand, felt like she was "struggling in all aspects" of her life. Normally, I am able to pretty much hear everything and react to nothing during my counseling sessions, but as a Gen-Xer, this comment almost made me "lose my $hit."
My husband and I had met during college, and we were both first generation college students from the parents of blue collar and military families. We got by on financial aid, part-time jobs, and Ramen Noodles with Kimchi. I do not mean to get on my "high horse," BUT I do want to share that life was sparse in those days. And actually, my husband and I remember those "scrappy days" with nostalgic fondness. I recognize that current times are hard, and I do not discount any of my Clients' hardships, regardless of their generation. However, I also recognize that the challenges in my own development that included being a "latch key kid" and not having "helicopter parents" allowed me to become a self-sufficient individual that can handle life's adversities.
I do not want any generation to believe that Gen-Xers "checked out," but I do want to call attention to the hard work that went into many of us getting here in the first place. The media calls attention to the "Great Resignation," but it really isn't a check-out for any generation. It is actually an opportunity to decide what one's priorities are and then to act upon them. If that means that you have the means to retire at 50, then retire at 50 (and do not apologize for it). There are a plethora of volunteer and political leadership roles that we need you to fill to improve the lives of others. If it means that you change jobs for better opportunities, then change jobs for better opportunities so that you can improve your life and that of your families.
What frustrates me the most are the comments from any generation who believes that they are "stuck" in their current circumstances, what ever and where ever they are. Instead of being stuck, take a moment to assess what is really important to you, set some SMART Goals, and create Action Plans with Deadlines. Then you too will be "trucking along" to improve your future and create the life that you want.
Next Steps
Rethink what you want your SMART goals to be, and don’t wait to get started with finding a new job. Career consultants are available to help at Quantum Career Consulting.
Tonya Osmond, EdD, LPC, is a Career Consultant and President of Quantum Career Consulting, LLC. With more than 20 years of career counseling experience, she is a licensed professional counselor in both Maryland and Virginia.