Lately, I’ve been reflecting on different relationships in my life and noticing various patterns.
My frustration with Gen Zs who show up late for interviews or meetings.
My avoidance of Boomers who start sentences with “You must-“
Rather it is my interface with those experiences, being negative, which reinforce a narrative I form in my head.
Gen Zs are unreliable. They don’t value my time.
Boomers always find fault with me.
Boomers can’t stand my ideas.
But are these really true?
Perhaps, the first step to embracing our intergenerational differences is to first accept that
THEY EXIST
and that each generation is marked by both strengths and weaknesses.
I’m reminding myself—
That if I continue feeding those negative narratives about the generation before & after me,
I’ll soon lose the wisdom of those who’ve gone ahead,
and miss the heart of those behind me.
The next time you feel triggered by someone, try wearing a generational lens.
Perhaps they’re not being mean but showing concern. Perhaps they’re not disrespectful but learning to draw boundaries.
Note to self.
From a friend.
“Your Gen Zs gonna be your kids’ future bosses.”
Yeah.
Imagine a world where we embraced each generation’s strengths and weaknesses without judgment, labeling or disdain.
What a powerful world we’d create together.
Could you show me how?
Oh, my heart 💔