Gen X At a Crossroads — 5 Reflections to Redefine Your Path
Be like water my friends
The average Gen Xer has held about 12 jobs throughout their lifetime, according to research on workforce trends.
Based on my own experience, this checks.
I’m not gonna hit you with my resume, but just for kicks and giggles, one of my jobs was in collections.
Don’t ask.
Fine, I’ll tell you. I just knew it was related to credit cards, but I had no clue of what I was actually going to be doing. Anyway, I was young-ish.
And for a lot of us, most job changes took place earlier in life, with the typical number decreasing as we entered the mid-career stages.
I had about 10 different jobs during my first employable decade and only 2 the following 15 years. The collections one was a very short stint during the first period.
While some of the roles I’ve held have been, at times, fulfilling, I still feel like I’m at a crossroads.
What next?
For many of us, the question isn’t just about occupational choices anymore. Some of us may be feeling energetically stuck. We are ok but not quite getting ahead, and that’s getting old.
At least that’s what many Gen X groups on social media forums show.
Maybe some of us have older kids that are moving on.
Maybe we are a little anxious about what we have (or have not) accomplished so far.
What now?
This moment is an invitation to pause and reflect. But please be careful NOT to fall into the trap of assigning blame or feeling regret.
I know I have.
But it’s during moments like this that it is most important to be kind to ourselves. Taking a timely break could help us find the clarity to move forward, trusting that each step will reveal a new path.
So, as I prepare to make a few major changes myself, here are five reflections I am living by as a guide through this moment of questioning and discovery.
1. Change is Growth
A career change can often feel like a loss. Maybe what once excited you no longer fulfills you. But change is a natural part of growth. Try to reconnect with your younger version, you know, the one who used to roll with the punches and faced life with a devil-may-care attitude.
Rather than resisting change, lean into the discomfort.
Our greatest transformations often come when we let go of outdated ideas of success. It’s okay to redefine what success looks like now.
Focus on what excites you today, and let go of old labels.
2. Drop beliefs. Raise consciousness.
Releasing old career identities (especially the ones involving collections) or relationships that no longer serve you creates room for new pursuits and passions.
Success is a blank canvas. We can either use other people’s blueprints or draw our own. Yes, we live in a society with certain rules and expectations.
But there’s always some wiggle room.
For years, I felt trapped in roles I thought I had to fulfill, choosing from a limited menu of options. But that was on me. Now, I’m creating opportunities aligned with who I am, not who I thought I should be.
3. Take Action, Even In Uncertainty
Uncertainty is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to paralyze us. Embracing the present moment allows us to focus on what we can do now, rather than becoming overwhelmed by what may or may not happen.
In fact, most worries usually come from scenarios that never take place anyway.
Instead of trying to plan everything, take one action today. Move forward, even if the path is unclear. Small actions accumulate, and before you know it, the road ahead reveals itself.
The key is to keep moving.
4. Contribution Brings Fulfillment
Do you remember when we wanted to change the world? If anything, we at least tried to change our immediate world. We are credited with being the first generation that prioritized work-life balance.
I am not sure that we completely got there, but we certainly brought attention to the concept.
Every effort counts. Contribution doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful. At this stage, contribution can be about leaving a legacy, creating impact in small ways, or simply showing up for those around us.
We can always start where we are. Align our work with our values, and fulfillment will follow.
Often, the greatest impact comes from small, consistent actions.
5. Aging is an Ally
Instead of seeing aging as a limitation, think of it as the culmination of wisdom, experience, and resilience.
You know now more than you ever did. Time is precious, and the window for action is now.
Use your knowledge and strengths to move forward with confidence. This is your time to act. Embrace the Change, Take the Action
Questioning your purpose doesn’t mean you are lost;
It means you’re paying attention.
The world may be changing, but so are we. And with each change comes the potential for something truly remarkable.
This is our time to create, live, and act with intention.