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GenX Unmasked: 12 Things Nobody Tells You About Us

GenX Unmasked: 12 Things Nobody Tells You About Us
Alright, let's spill the tea on GenerationX, the cool but often overlooked crew born between the '60s and '80s. We've got some secrets and quirks that rarely get the spotlight. Here are 12 things no one spills about us:


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1. Latchkey Life
So, back in the day, we were the OG "latchkey kids." Coming home to an empty house after school was our thing, making us pros at solo adventures from a young age.


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2. Tech Trailblazers
Yep, we might not have grown up with iPhones, but we were there for the birth of personal computers and the internet. GenXers rocked the tech world before it was cool.


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3. Slacker or Hustler? 
People love calling us slackers, but surprise – we're also the brains behind some of the biggest tech innovations. Turns out, we're not just sipping on coffee and watching the world go by.


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4. Middle Child Syndrome
Sandwiched between the Boomers and Millennials, we sometimes feel like the middle child of generations. But hey, being the middle child means we've got a vibe that's both tough and resourceful.


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5. DIY Spirit
Thanks to economic uncertainty, we're DIY masters. Whether it's fixing a leaky faucet or launching a startup, we're all about getting our hands dirty.


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6. Mixtape Memories
Our music journey went from vinyl to cassettes and CDs. The '80s and '90s scenes shaped our eclectic taste. We've seen it all, from grunge to boy bands, and we're proud of our musical roots.


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7. Career Hoppers
Unlike sticking to one job forever, we pioneered the art of switching careers. We're all about embracing change and thriving in new professional territories.


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8. Parenting Prodigies
Balancing work and family? Been there, done that. We paved the way for a better work-life balance, proving you can climb the career ladder and be a superhero parent.


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9. Living Through It All
From the Cold War end to the rise of the internet, we've seen some crazy global events. These moments shaped our worldview and gave us a unique perspective.


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10. Quiet Struggles
Economic downturns, recessions, and burst bubbles – we've weathered them all. Our resilience and adaptability often go unnoticed amid the noise of other generations.


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11. Cultural Game-Changers 
Grunge, iconic movies, and TV shows – we were the influencers. Our cultural footprint is still felt today, shaping the tastes of younger generations.


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12. Experience Collectors
Forget materialism; we're all about collecting experiences. Travel, personal growth, and making memories – that's where we invest our energy.



In a nutshell, GenerationX is a resilient, diverse bunch that deserves a shout-out. Our unique experiences and contributions have left an indelible mark on the world, making us more than just a forgotten middle child. Cheers to GenX! 🎉







If you’ve made it to the bottom of this post, I’m guessing something here resonated—whether it’s navigating grief and growth, diving into natural wellness, or just trying to live a more intentional life in a fast-paced world.

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✨ My blog exists because I know what it feels like to keep everything jumbled in your head — like a messy pile of clothes you can’t sort through.
 Writing it all down brings clarity, calm, and sometimes even healing answers I didn’t know I was looking for.

Honestly, that’s why I keep showing up to write — it helps me make sense of things. 

 Even if you have no intentions of ever publishing your work, I highly recommend writing stuff down. It doesn't have to be a literary masterpiece or even full, grammatically correct sentences... just dump those random thoughts onto paper... you'll see what I mean.

*This blog centers the GenX experience, simply because that’s the lens I live through—but anyone looking for connection, natural wellness, grief support, or a little real-talk in this messy stage of life is more than welcome.

✨ My blog exists because I know what it feels like to keep everything jumbled in your head — like a messy pile of clothes you can’t sort through.

 Writing it all down brings clarity, calm, and sometimes even healing answers I didn’t know I was looking for.


Honestly, that’s why I keep showing up to write — it helps me make sense of things. 

 Even if you have no intentions of ever publishing your work, I highly recommend writing stuff down. It doesn't have to be a literary masterpiece or even full, grammatically correct sentences... just dump those random thoughts onto paper... you'll see what I mean.

*This blog centers the GenX experience, simply because that’s the lens I live through—but anyone looking for connection, natural wellness, grief support, or a little real-talk in this messy stage of life is more than welcome.

Hi! I'm AJ Flanagan.

 
Hey there — I’m AJ.

I’m an empty-nester and a widow who had a wake-up call about the hidden toxins in everyday products most of us grew up using. Our parents didn’t know. We didn’t know either. But once you start paying attention, it’s hard to ignore.

Life shifted in 2018 when my husband, Eric, was diagnosed with leukemia — and again in 2023 when we faced a second cancer diagnosis. Supporting him through treatment changed how we looked at just about everything, including how we cared for our home, our bodies, and our day-to-day routines.
We didn’t aim for perfection or extremes. We focused on simple, meaningful changes — reducing toxic load in our home, choosing better ingredients, prioritizing nourishing food, and building calmer rhythms into daily life. Tools like aromatherapy, music, meditation, and intentional rest became part of how we coped and stayed grounded.

Caring for Eric deepened my commitment to living well — not as a trend, but as a way of showing up with intention and grace, even in the hard seasons.

Now I share our story, the lessons we learned, the small changes that made a big difference, and how I'm moving forward. My hope is to make wellness feel more approachable, less overwhelming, and rooted in real life — especially for anyone who wants healthier options without pressure or perfection.

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