Thank you, David, for this great Sunday read. (It would make a good entry in Don Van Natta's Sunday Long-Read!).
"We evaluate things with more caution, awareness, and scrutiny. But once we vet something—we’re all in (until we aren’t), depending on how it goes."
Your piece made me think on my own decisions that seemed headstrong at the time, but were, to your perfect word, feral, feral-bred, and served me well.
At times, anyway. Like career choices.
Even and most particularly when that choice in seemingly radical career moves meant "quitting" a sure thing to venture a risky one ("quitting" being that dirty word to our GIGen parents).
Contrary to the label-slapping on generations, I am seeing some of these feral GenX traits in my kids. Maybe that's our GenX's greatest gift...and pleasure. Legacy.
You hinted at it, but didn't outright mention that we were the Baby Bust generation as well. Our numbers are just statistically fewer. I think the nadir was 1969 (my year). Boomers were waiting longer to have children (Vietnam, college, 'just being me'). My graduation class was the smallest to date for a very large school district (at least half of the peak, if not smaller). It had to be a co-factor.
So good. Never really thought it as "grit" or anything that impressive. But now I'm impressed with us.
We are impressive!
Thank you, David, for this great Sunday read. (It would make a good entry in Don Van Natta's Sunday Long-Read!).
"We evaluate things with more caution, awareness, and scrutiny. But once we vet something—we’re all in (until we aren’t), depending on how it goes."
Your piece made me think on my own decisions that seemed headstrong at the time, but were, to your perfect word, feral, feral-bred, and served me well.
At times, anyway. Like career choices.
Even and most particularly when that choice in seemingly radical career moves meant "quitting" a sure thing to venture a risky one ("quitting" being that dirty word to our GIGen parents).
Contrary to the label-slapping on generations, I am seeing some of these feral GenX traits in my kids. Maybe that's our GenX's greatest gift...and pleasure. Legacy.
Indeed Jan! MAFA 🙂
You‘re right. We‘re pretty awesome. 🕺🏼
You hinted at it, but didn't outright mention that we were the Baby Bust generation as well. Our numbers are just statistically fewer. I think the nadir was 1969 (my year). Boomers were waiting longer to have children (Vietnam, college, 'just being me'). My graduation class was the smallest to date for a very large school district (at least half of the peak, if not smaller). It had to be a co-factor.