An engaging book and revealing look at Generation X that goes behind the nostalgia and makes us wonder... how did we turn out so well? Liz Prato’s collection of essays truly reflects the culture and issues of our generation, and hindsight is 20/20. The book sheds some light on some not-so-nice realities often lost in the more frequent “bubble gum” nostalgia of the 80s. I found this book to be an eye-opening look back, leading readers like me – a Gen X girl – to take a more th

A new monthly series by Gen X Girls Grow Up Just how much do the decades and times we grew up in shape our perspectives and beliefs? How does what we look for and value in others change as we grow older? Does it? It’s hard to say, but we’re tackling one question from women of two generations. March 2022 The Question: What do you value in a good friend? X Says Erin, 52, Generation X First and foremost, I value friends who prove they are trustworthy. To me, this can only come w

As a Gen X woman living in a strange, “middle age” period, in a pandemic, I knew I wasn't alone. But I wasn’t sure how much I would be moved by stories in The Pandemic Crisis: Gen X Women On The Brink, an essay collection by Jessica Smock and Stephanie Sprenger (HerStories Project Press, November 2021). I loved it. The writers’ stories span a range of socio-economic levels, family situations, parenting perspectives, life challenges, and other sandwich generation struggles and

I’m the Same Generation as the Characters in And Just Like That. Why Would I Rather Watch Euphoria? These high school kids feel everything. And when I watch Euphoria, I do too. I was thrilled to write this piece for Slate Magazine and share my perspective as a Gen X woman watching a show targeted to Gen Z. Lately, I just want to be entertained. Check it out! #genxgirl #euphoria #hbo #generationx #genz #genx

Smell Love's Baby Soft again! Don't miss the "80's Girl Candle" giveaway, happening on my Gen X Girls Grow Up Facebook page through 10pm Eastern Time, Sunday, January 30! Head over there to enter. Courtesy of Hardin Soy Candles. To further celebrate cool '80s stuff, I went behind the scenes with Stacy Hardin, Owner of Hardin Soy Candles, to hear what inspires her... 1. How did you get the idea for an 80’s Girl candle? I wanted something that embodied who I was - to me, the

Forty years ago, thousands of Gen X girls across the country got their moms to call them into school “sick,” and parked themselves in front of the television for one of the biggest entertainment events of their lives to date: Luke and Laura’s wedding. The iconic General Hospital couple (a hugely popular ABC soap opera in the ‘80s, for those who don’t know) were getting married. Why did this matter so much? I’ll get to that in a minute. First, though, a shout out to the girls/

Join me on Sunday night, October 24 at 8pm Eastern as I host our first '80's Trivia Night - Movies & Music virtual gathering on Hello Revel! RSVP now to save a spot! Hope to "see" you there on the Zoom! Erin #genxgirl #80s #generationx #genx #hellorevel

This is such a cool premise and platform I recently learned about! Early in her career, CIRKEL Founder Charlotte Japp noticed a huge gap between the 20-somethings she worked with and baby boomers like her parents. Older workers had decades of experience, but were forced to retire or start secondary careers due to ageist hiring trends. Her friends and colleagues wanted career mentorship, while her parents and their friends were looking for new skills to stay competitive in the

In response to a recent BuzzFeed piece, "Millennials Are Sharing The Things They Wish Older Generations Understood, And It's Kind Of Heartbreaking"...here are five things I would like THEM to know. #1 – You left us/GenX out of the article title. Wish Boomers understood? Don’t you want US to know, too? We need to understand, because sometimes we are shaking our heads at what other generations are thinking and doing. What the heck? #2 – I know you all got shiny trophies for sho

A Go-Go's GIVEAWAY for Gen X Girls! Win a copy of the Go-Go's Documentary DVD. To enter, head over to the Gen X Girls Facebook page and view & comment on the Go-Go's post, naming your favorite song. Enter by July 26. I loved their behind-the-scenes stories and was so impressed with how they drove their success! They talk about the documentary here. #gogos #genxgirl #generationx #genx #80s

When you are 18 in 1988 and write a high school graduation piece to your friends, using song lyrics and titles from the times... The best four years! Now I've Had The Time Of My Life June 8, 1988 #generationx #genx #80s #genxgirl #classof88 #highschoolmemories

Do you have a friend that got away? One, or maybe more, that really mattered – that still matters? You still think about her, especially in 2020, when you have so much time to just…think? Chances are, Gen X Girls do. A 2019 Snap Friendship Report found that friendships, especially those from childhood, have a huge impact on happiness and wellbeing. Now, this year's report finds that 88% of U.S. respondents have lost touch with a close friend, and 71% say they would like to r

"What Ever Happened To...?" is a new weekly look at some of our favorite people from our Gen X growing up years. This week: Kristy McNichol and the cast of the television program "Family." Who DIDN'T love Kristy McNichol in "Family" and "Little Darlings?" I remember watching "Family" with my mom, so I was surprised to read the show ran from 1976 - 1979. I was awfully young (six to nine)!) to be watching that, I think. Alcholism, adoption. Oh well. We were Generation X, though

It’s been hard to hold on to the traditions and times of our GenX childhoods. Case in point: Halloween. And, let’s face it – the Generation X version of Halloween disappeared long before COVID hit. We may want to blame the pandemic as we pine away for the 70's and 80's, but I noticed they were gone years ago. Most kids today have never even heard of “Mischief Night.” In 1982 in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood, all 12-year olds I knew – including me, as well as younger

Dear Courtney, 1986 WAS a great year! Leg warmers kept us cozy. Playing games like PAC-MAN was fun, and an easy distraction from the real world. We were all about surrounding ourselves with bright and upbeat colors - everything from our clothes to our bedroom walls - hot pinks, sky blues and purples - reflecting a happy and hopeful time. Like you, we had bold and bright ideas - about upcoming Saturday nights at the roller rink or parties. About the future - maybe marriage, ki

I was excited to watch Biography's "I Want My MTV" show on A&E last night, knowing it would revisit the original MTV VJs. It did not disappoint, and offered a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how the whole MTV concept, name, logo, business, struggle and success evolved. Here are five things I took away: 1. First, I’m proud of my #GenX self for figuring out how to find a way/channel/streaming service/something to actually watch the program. An hour before, I was Googling

#backtoschool #happybacktoschool #firstdayofschool #GenerationX #GenX #80s #70s

How #GenX are you? Give yourself 1 point for each "yes" you did growing up: * Saw at least three John Hughes movies. * Passed a note to a friend between or during classes. * Wore leg warmers or a Flashdance sweatshirt. * Made a cassette tape. * Knew the lyrics to at least three Madonna songs. * Had a poster of Rob Lowe, Matt Dillon, or Ralph Macchio. * Read a Tiger Beat magazine. * Read at least three Judy Blume books. * Learned about growing up from Judy Blume books. * Drove

You can view it on Facebook here! We had such fun talking about Rob Lowe, Playa Bowls and tipping, Trapper Keepers and "back to school," the original MTV VJs, Peloton, drinking Truly Hard Seltzer and White Claw like a #GenZ-er, and more. #GenerationX #GenX #80s #Eighties #RobLowe #PlayaBowls #WhiteClaw #Truly #MTV

My heart goes out to all the Gen X moms out there, like me, who dropped, or are about to drop, their kid at college this week! Sophomore year may be a little bit easier, but it still stings. Still, my son's happiness about being there outweighs my sadness. I left a little piece of my heart in Madison, Wisconsin yesterday. How does the time go so fast? I still see that toddler... #GenerationX #GenX