Finding Common Ground: Boomers and Millennials Unite on 13 Shared Concerns

There are many things that boomers and millennials can’t agree with, but they do agree on one thing: we’re all losing interest in specific things. Boomers have noticed a mass change in society, including how we move through life and how we view the world. One person on Reddit asked, “What’s something that seems increasingly unappealing the older you get?” You might be able to guess a few, but we have listed some of the best answers.

Intamacy

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One person on the forum said, “Sex”. Another person replied to this comment saying that sex is “gross.” Another said it was “risky.” A commenter by the username of jennhoff03 said, “It’s an awful lot of work.” Sex was a common occurrence for those who would go out for the night. Still, now it’s just too much for the younger generation. More people are starting to stay home and drink rather than go out on the “pull.”

Taking Physical Risks

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The obvious risk of injury was a standard answer on the forum, and it seems that the older we get, the less likely we are to participate in risky behaviors. As we age, our bones become brittle, we don’t heal as quickly, and our strength isn’t the same. One person said, “I remember being so fearless on skis, roller skates, skateboards, and all the things when I was younger. Now, I think of how I could mess myself up. Having a keener sense of your own mortality sucks.” Another person added, “As someone from Europe, I always wondered, don’t Americans think about their medical bills and such before engaging in all sorts of crazy, stupid, potentially life-ruining activities like riding motorcycles without a helmet, etc., stupid stuff I see Americans doing, daily on the internet. If you get hurt seriously but do not die, you go bankrupt financially. Like if I get hurt, the financial effect on that is not anywhere near on my mind because even if it’s not completely free, it’s basically “free,” if that makes sense.”

Social Media

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Many people are beginning to learn that it’s not all about posting on social media all the time. We don’t feel the need to broadcast our lives there as much as we used to. One Reddit user said, “I don’t care what people say about Reddit. This is not the same thing as Facebook and Instagram at all. It’s more the evolution of forums. I’m anonymous here, talking to other anonymous strangers about stuff that interests me. I can tell you anything, and it’s fine. No consequences. My 70-year-old uncle doesn’t know about it now like he would if I said it on Facebook. Neither does my sister’s friend.” Another person said, “I deleted TikTok about two weeks ago, and it’s genuinely like a huge weight is off my shoulders. TikTok really fed my depression and insecurity and was CONSTANTLY trying to sell me things..… like not only were there ads, but the actual creators that I liked all got #tiktokfamous, and all their videos became sponsored as well when they inevitably sold out. It wasn’t very pleasant to see. Anyway, my point is I feel a lot better not being on that app anymore.”

Sleeping in Beds Away From Home

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We all love the feel of our bed, which means that when we spend time away, we can’t wait to return and tuck up. One person said, “There was a great standup comedy bit I heard one time where someone said something to the effect of ‘I always thought it was weird adults didn’t have sleepovers when I was a kid, now I’m an adult, and the concept of sleeping on my friend’s couch sounds worse than actual torture.” Another person responded, “We once stayed at the Marriott, and I took my pillow there too. My pillow is very well-traveled… but it’s been ten years, and it’s getting knobbly… I don’t know what I’ll do… I’ll have to get a new one… but which one?! Help!!!!!!!”

Work

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We can all agree that the fact we spend so many years working to survive isn’t significant. Waking up every morning to have the same mundane day to ensure that we can put enough food on the table for our families is Something that we can all agree is the worst feeling how we all wish to live a free life without the need to work as much, significantly when the benefits don’t add up to the amount of work put in.

Staying Up Late

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Do you ever remember having a sleepover as a kid and seeing who could stay up the latest? Sometimes, you’d have enough energy to spend the whole night away. However, this fizzles out as you get older, and sleep is one of the most important things. We all love to sleep. One person commented, “Something that seems increasingly unappealing the older you get is partying till the wee hours of the morning and waking up with a hangover. As you grow older, you realize that a good night’s rest and feeling fresh in the morning are much more important than a night of reckless abandon. So, I advise you to get to bed early and wake up feeling fresh like a morning dew.”

The Pursuit of Material Things and a Need for Validation

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One person commented on the forum: “As I’ve grown older and wiser, I’ve realized that pursuing material possessions and the constant need for external validation have become increasingly unappealing to me. When we’re young, society bombards us with messages telling us we need the latest gadgets, the trendiest clothes, and the flashiest cars to be happy and successful. But as we age, we start to recognize the emptiness of these pursuits. Instead, what truly matters are the meaningful connections we forge with others, the experiences we accumulate, and our impact on the world. The older I get, the more I value authenticity, kindness, and personal growth over superficiality.”

Crowded Social Environments

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There was once a time when being in a crowded place was somewhere everyone loved to be. However, they’re too loud and crowded for most people now, and many avoid them. Even weddings have a bad name now. “We were at my wife’s nephew’s wedding this weekend. She said Something that stuck with me. ‘This is such a frat wedding’. And it was! The bride and groom were 22, 75% of the guests that age, loud club music, college fight song with its dance… just LOUD. Thirty-six hours later, I’m still sluggish from staying up till midnight. Wowsers, I am OLD.”

Uncomfortable Clothing

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When you’re younger, you think you must follow the crowd and wear uncomfortable clothing like high heels and a fashion that you were told was cool but wasn’t. One person said, “Pants that fit comfortably are like winning the lottery. I found a pair that fit and liked, so I bought several in varying colors. Of course, none fit the same or was as comfortable as the original.” Another person added, “I used to love shopping, super into it. Now I don’t want to spend my money on clothes. I want to wear black V-necks and black jeans, meaning I look like Ricky Gervaise 99% of the time, but it’s a classic look! Any new clothes I get are Hanes and Amazon Essentials shirts.”

People

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One person on Reddit said, “People. Why are there so many? And where the heck are they all trying to get to, and why is it so important to get there… I think whenever I’m stuck in traffic.” Another person responded, “Right?! They are EVERYWHERE! In line at the Post Office when I’m trying to get stuff done. On the highway driving like idiots when I’m late for work. At the grocery store with their loud kids when I just have to stop and get dog food. UGH it’s exhausting!”

“New” Fashion

Jessica Alba.
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As we age, we all follow different styles and change what we want from clothing. We don’t tend to follow the norm and instead go for what we feel comfortable in. “I haven’t bought anything in a while, not because I’m poor but because I just don’t like anything I see. Plus, clothes have become such poor quality, I’d rather keep my old stuff.”

Getting Drunk

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Getting drunk was deemed as cool when you were younger. However, things change when you get older. “I stopped getting drunk six years ago after I had a hangover and thought, “I’m too old for this.” I gave myself a three-drink MAX limit after that day. I went from binge drinking on weekends to maybe a beer to two per month. But last month, I got drunk for the first time in forever. It took me three days to feel somewhat normal. I did not miss it. It’s not worth it.”

Sugar and Salt

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We all know that kids love sugar and sweets, but this becomes less of a want as you age. “There’s just too much of it in everything, and I would enjoy it more if there were less sugar and more flavor.” It’s the same for salt, with someone saying, “My parents smoked a good chunk of their lives, and while they quit 20+ years ago, they still can’t taste and oversalt everything.”

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