Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X & Boomers Have Completely Different Ideas Of What It Means To Have It All Together
Iryna Inshyna / ShutterstockWe all know someone we think has their life completely together, yet when you talk to them directly or mention them to someone else, you find out there are certain things going on in their lives that are actually a total mess.
Having your life in order is one of those things that is pretty subjective in general, and especially depending on how old you are, it can mean entirely different things.
Gen Z, millennials, Gen X, and baby boomers all have their own different ideas of what it means to have it all together
Many baby boomers see having it all together as being generally stable and self-sufficient.
A steady career, a home that's paid off, investment accounts, and a strong family can seem like the ultimate proof that someone made good choices in life. They usually feel a sense of pride in being able to handle unexpected situations without them becoming a major deal.
Mladen Mitrinovic | Shutterstock
Consistency is another one of their main values. Always showing up and keeping promises are all signs that someone is doing pretty well. Compared with younger generations, they may be more interested in building a solid foundation that stands the test of time.
To Gen X, having it all together means being capable enough to handle things on their own.
Gen X often values independence and personal freedom over looking perfectly successful from the outside. Having a decent career matters, but so does having time for themselves and for maintaining their close relationships.
pikselstock | Shutterstock
Their version of having it together doesn't have to mean checking off every traditional milestone. Overall, they want to manage life on their own terms, without needing assistance at every turn.
Millennials don't feel like they have it all together until their life is sustainable.
This generation needs a healthy balance between their work, relationships, and hobbies to feel truly fulfilled. They don't want to be someone who works nonstop and isn't satisfied with everything they have going on.
Kinga | Shutterstock
Financial stability is also a large part of having it all together. They've watched housing costs, student debt, and daily expenses make it significantly harder to do things like own a home and start a family. Making good progress in life could just mean paying down debt or finding a career that doesn't totally drain them.
Having it all together looks like creating a life that feels right, according to Gen Z.
Many Gen Z adults have no problem questioning the common milestones that older generations automatically accepted. Their ultimate goal doesn't have to be climbing the corporate ladder or getting married and having kids right away.
Media_Photos | Shutterstock
Having it together can simply be knowing what works for them and setting boundaries that protect their best interests. Even if their life doesn't look super successful on paper, the only person they're really trying to impress is themselves.
Kayla Asbach is a writer with a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida. She covers relationships, psychology, self-help, pop culture, and human interest topics.
