As a Gen Xer in her fifties, I get annoyed with all these millennials calling themselves middle-aged. When I was growing up, middle age was considered to be people in their 50s and 60s. If Millennials are considered middle-aged, what does that make Gen Xers – senior citizens? I don’t feel elderly, and I darn sure don’t look it! I wear my middle-aged title like a badge of honor because I earned it with the painful lessons of my immaturity.
When Millennials call themselves middle-aged, they are still dealing with the problems and issues of young adulthood. They are still making what us elders would consider immature mistakes and/or beliefs. They are still trying to find themselves and where they fit in the world. Now in my fifties, I have finally come into my own. I am living my best life. Smiling and laughing at the haters, and loving the new, wiser, more mature person I am becoming.
Out of curiosity, I asked Google who was considered middle-aged. It said that middle-aged individuals are normally considered between 40 and 65 years old. So all of the millennials who are still in their 30s – can you stop referring to yourself as middle-aged?
To everyone 40 and older – welcome to the middle-aged club. Hot flashes to the right, weak bladders and prostate issues to the left. Interpreting the weather with your arthritis classes begins at 3:00 p.m. Seamstresses and tailors are waiting in the Green Room to let out your outfits that no longer fit due to the “senior 15” (similar to the freshman 15 but with stretch marks and sagging body parts). Stock brokers are available to help you invest in hair dye businesses for your 401K (as well as personal use). If you don’t understand the embarrassment and shame of any of these conditions – STOP CALLING YOURSELF MIDDLE-AGED!
Until next time!
R.R. Peace, Author and Poet 