Am I Gen X or Gen Y?? Gen Xer versus Millennials

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Share your memories...

[@themodernbookwoman]

I remember: payphones, banana bike seats, Blockbuster rentals, MTV, TGIF, Saturday morning cartoons, Oregon Trail, I was a lock key kid, free roaming childhood, spent hours trying to catch my fave songs from the radio on my mix tapes; Fresh Prince, walkmans, shell phones, VHS, boomboxes, 80s fashion, perms, BK birthday crowns, chain letters, the first Nintendo, aol dial up, learning to type on a typewriter, dos computers and printing, real library cards with dd stamped on, Lisa Frank stationary, Care Bears, My Little Pony, Mr. Rogers, Fraggle Rock, pogs, cats cradle, floppy discs... the list goes on 😅

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

OMG I forgot about payphones! Oregon trail! Chain letters ....I forgot about all of those...such goodies! Fraggle rock, OMG your post is awesome...memories!!! Cats cradle...oh man you just made my day! xoxo!!!

[@tattooedbikerunexplained]

Remember waiting for Rock Blocks on MTV and Liquid Television late nights? Those were the days...

[@Sarah.GetHerDone]

I am 1981, right on the cusp of GenX and Millennial but I relate more to the Xers.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Same here! I just learned there is a category called Xillenials or something...so that's what we are most specifically! :) Thank you for watching! xoxo

[@TheFamilyOdyssey]

Me too!

[@kthomson13]

As a 1984 baby I relate to both. I had 3 older siblings and 2 younger ones so my home life was a mix of the generations. I grew up with “peasant vision” and VHS tapes which eventually became DVDs. In high school we used textbooks and encyclopedias and passed folded notes in class since we only had land lines. I didn’t have a cell phone until I went across the country to university and it was a flip phone. I worked at blockbuster and there weren’t streaming services. I think about the changes in technology over the past 20+ years and it blows my mind.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

It is pretty to crazy to think about how much has changed with regards to tech. Thank you for watching and sharing your journey, so many siblings that sounds awesome! My husband is one of 5 kids but I just had one sibling...think having a lot would be fun, especially later in life! xoxo

[@jamiemori58]

Gen xer here who raised a Gen Z child. I think it is a misconception that we aren’t tech savvy, we were there in the beginning for goodness sake. Maybe I text slower than my son but I still understand technology and am constantly using it. Thanks for your content on these subjects, inspired me to start posting videos on my channel!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

I completely agree! We made it for goodness sake! haha Love it! Thank you for watching! xoxo

[@DrDianeThompson]

Congratulations! 1.5K subs! Whohoo!!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you Dr.Diane!!! It's so exciting. Wishin you the same! xoxo

[@ExoticalHoney]

Thanks for this analysis and trip down memory lane! ❤ I'm a 1985 baby. I consider myself a Xennial. I am a Millenial but as a child, I lived many things that Gen Xers experienced in their adolescence. I also slightly relate to younger Millenials. I've learned a lot as a Soloprenuer from younger Millenials because they are digital natives. They learn how to monetize new apps quickly. I'm grateful to be in Gen Y with such an innovative, freedom focused generation. I remember I made mixtapes in the 90s. Running to the radio to record Foo Fighters and Destinys Child songs. I recordered Aaliyah music videos on top of my parents VHS movies to practice her dance moves. My first PC had AOL dial-up and I used floppy disks to save my class notes I typed. I had a pager most of HS. Cingular was a my first cell phone provider when I was a senior in HS. I was fortunate enough to model for The Gap in a local fashion show 😊 We called the transparency machine an overhead projector in school.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Hahah I recordered Aaliyah music videos on top of my parents VHS movies to practice her dance moves. I LOVE THIS!!! So awesome vhs and recording over other videos...I bet you have some pretty sweet dance moves! Love it. xoxo

[@TinaHBeautifulJourney]

I was one of the first Gen Xers born in 1965. The first PC I ever used was on my desk when I walked into my first job after college. I love that we remember life before the internet, and that the entirety of my growing up and coming of age was before that time. But also, that I've been able to learn and adapt to the technology as it's come along.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Yes, I agree it's nice to be in the boat of remembering life before...Thank you for sharing your story! xoxo

[@kristannonfire]

Fun video! I was born in ‘67 and am an early Gen Xer. I learned to type on a typewriter and was out of college when the first PCs were widely used. I remember pay phones - no such thing as a cell phone when I was young. Atari and Space Invaders and Pacman were the first video games. I agree with you that college and our first home purchase were much more affordable than for later generations. I’m an introvert so technology that allows me to not deal with others in person like email and text was a godsend to me, otherwise yeah I’m not nearly as tech savvy as later generations. ❤

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Than you for sharing your memories Kristan and for continually watching and commenting on my videos. I truly appreciate it and it makes my day to see people coming back and getting to know them. I remember playing pacman too! Ah maybe it's the introver thing that has me loving email and text, you're right! I didn't think about it that way. Have a great day! xoxo

[@Marketinginhereyes]

Everything you’re talking about for Gen X is what I lived growing up. Maybe not grunge music, but dial up, MTV, and Born in 88 and we had dial up and I was 1 of few students that had internet in their home. I’m a mix of independence and protective with my boys, but their boys so I’m giving them space to explore. Anyway great video, listen to your references were nostalgic.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Lovely! Yes, I seemed to skip the grunge music phase as well. haha :) Thanks for watching! xoxo

[@MariasJournal__]

I was born in 1979 but always felt more like a millenial, due to my own preferences when it comes to music, videogames, tv shows etc… I guess because I am on the cusp. I actually lived through the 80’s as a child (with cord phones etc), and then through the beginning of the digital revolution. Love this topic, and i just discovered your channel. You actually motivated me to finally start my own youtube channel ( after seeing your other video)❤

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Wooohooo! Yes, I just learned there is a micro-generation called the Xennials of people whose birth years are between the mid-late 1970s and the early-mid 1980s...But anyway, woohoo love that you feel inspired to finally start your own channel! That's huge! Go for it. It's so fun! xoxo

[@marciusoliveira6379]

I was born in 72 and I consider myself a mix of both generations. We gradually watch the evolution of technology in our lives. Some things are better, others worse. The important thing is to stay curious about life and its transformations. I loved listening to the tapes on the Walkman. Hugs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Oh walkmans....man those were so cool! They were so "small" - ah thanks for the reminder. :) Thank you for watching and commenting. I 100% agree "stay curious about life and its transformation". :) xoxo

[@MelanieMarshall62]

Born in 1962! I’m considered a baby boomer! Played out outside until the lights came on! Rode bikes, built go carts out of whatever we could find, played a lot of card games, doubled Dutch, hula hoop, dodged ball, etc, hop scotch. Listened to radio and record player ! Roller skating! Baseball basketball and football was played in our neighborhood! Such good times growing up😊

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Sounds like amazing memories and times! Bike riding (without helmets and survived) haha. Double Dutch and roller skating - so fun! I remember doing that too. Dodge ball, what a hilarious game when you think about it. Thank you for sharing your memories. Simpler times. xoxo

[@MelanieMarshall62]

@@AlexaSaarenoja right! No helmets 😆

[@ChristianCareerJoy]

I’m definitely a Gen X cusper - or xennial - because I was born just a few months before the Gen Y began. However, because I grew up rurally on a farm I’m definitely more Gen X. It was in the very late 90s before I was even able to have internet at my family farm because we had a party-line!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

I grew up in the country too, we only had 2 channels on t.v the entire time I was in highschool (grad 97). So I get that, being behind because of country life! xoxo

[@Seatheworldwithkatandmik-jh2xz]

I remember stingray bikes. With the big seats.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Awesome. I remember bicycles with streamers and banana seats! haha

[@OmarAvilesCreative]

Sony Walkman, Commodore 64, Payphones, Garbage Pail kids, and “it’s 10 o’clock - do you know where your children are?”

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

OMG I totally forgot about the Commodore 64...thank you for that! xoxo

[@CoozeAdventures]

I was born in 1960. What label describes my generation. My high school memories include doing homework with AM radio playing and riding my banana bike. Later, at university, where i studied computer science, i recall writing lines of code on a punch card machine and submitting a large deck of cards to the computer room so they could run the program for me. As i was graduating, the punch card machines were being replaced by the new marvel technology of CRTs, screens with keyboards. My, how that technolgy has marched forward since that time.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Oh love the memories from your history. You are a baby boomer generation, same as my parents. It's 1946-1964. Writing code on a punch card, so cool! I love the idea of analog computation. If that's even a thing. Anyway, thank you for sharing. So neat to hear from you! Thank you for watching! xoxo

[@evolutionvault-i5z]

This is awesome!!! Born in 1988 but I can relate to most of those things😆

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Haha Awesome!

[@themodernbookwoman]

There's also a micro generation between the 2 called Xennials... I fall into that category and also have a lot of qualities of both generations. Birth years 1977-1983, give or take a year on either end. And we are unique from every other group of cuspers bc of the crazy amount of tech evolution that happened in our teens/YA years. Marleen Stollen and Gisela Wolf of Business Insider Germany wrote that Xennials "had to bridge the divide between an analog childhood and digital adulthood".[19] They are described as the youngest digital immigrants.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Yes, I had no idea about this. Thank you for the education. Now I need to do another video! haha xoxo

[@MariasJournal__]

This makes perfect sense to me! I was just commenting that I was born in 1979 and felt more like a millenial even though in theory I am a Gen X :)

[@mattconstance2196]

The time periods varied a little depending on where you were in the world. GenX in Australia generally is considered to includie a few extra years as it is in other parts of the world. As an example it wasn't until the mid 90s that TV shows like Days of our Lives and General Hospital weren't 2 years behind in screening here compared to the states. It's a simple example of the slower evolution of cultural influences in some places.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

That's really interesting. I feel the same with Finland actually. It seems a bit behind in years with a lot of things, but way ahead with other things. Interesting to hear. I had no idea! Thanks for sharing. xoxo

[@sahra4117]

Thanks!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Wow you are my first super! I think…never received one yet but I assume that’s what this money symbol means! Wow. Thank you I truly appreciate your donation. 🥰❤️❤️❤️

[@nancygomez200]

I remember everything you mentioned and I remember the menus from Denny’s Restaurant for kids where they had the masks you can punch out of them and wear them.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

OMG Denny's I forgot about that place and waffle house and IHOP...are those places still around. I don't live in the states anymore so I have no idea. haha Thanks for the memories! xoxo

[@cobracommander8133]

Xennials for the win! I was born ‘77 and in many ways I feel more millenial, especially the job hopping, political views, zoom meetings, texting, and just tech overall. However, I did end up going super independent self-employed so there’s definitely Gen-x in there too. Also, I went back to school for a graduated degree as well and got hit with the student debt 😝.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Yep woohoo student debt! 😅 xennials in the house! 🎉❤️

[@flohasit9038]

Thanks for this video :-)

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank YOU for watching! xoxo

[@evolutionvault-i5z]

Love your channel to the max! Sub!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Owah shucks! Thank you! xoxo

[@MomsTravelTeam]

I'm a boomer - 1964 - but feel more like a GenX'er.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Ok! Thank you for sharing! xoxo

[@FictionalAdultingYT]

I'm a 1977 baby. And I feel im a mix of the two. I guess it comes from being a dance teacher my whole life and having to be "current" but still cling to an 80's childhood and 90's teen/young adulthood. Just found your channel btw! Love your content. Have been struggling with my KZbin channel for 9 years and recently started over.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Sometimes starting over feels nice! I wish you the best of luck with your restart! I revived my channel I think you most definitely can do the same. Plus like you said you've had to "be current" with dance, so just knowing that it tells me #1 you are creative (dance) and #2 You are adaptable, because of the need to stay current! You've got this! Thank you for watching and commenting, it's nice to hear your story! I wish you all the luck with your new channel!! xoxo

[@whatsnewamanda]

This is sooo interesting because I’m a millennial (1986) but totally relate to most of what you are describing for Gen-x childhood. I was raised in Sweden tho so just like you mention Finland allows for a more free childhood, I think the same goes for Sweden still today. No offense to you Alexa, but it honestly bothers me how much crap millennials get all the time. Even in this video there are contradictory statements being made about us. The infantilization of our generation is a result of previous generations raising us, creating the systems and structures that we face, as well as gatekeeping our advancement in life in terms of careers, and homeownership. It’s pretty frustrating to be almost 40 and still viewed and spoken about as spoiled brats when we, just like previous generations are simply trying to make a living, afford a home, raise our kids and secure our future. Imagine fighting an uphill battle while the people who already “made it” poke and make fun of you. Unfortunately just like we’ve met greater challenges in building careers, affording homes and life in general, the idea of ever being able to retire is pretty much nonexistent. I personally refuse to accept such a future and thats largely what my channel will be about “millennial mastery”. But I know many of my generation who are depressed, have lost hope and are giving up. These are adults with (in many cases) multiple degrees like engineering and law, dozens of volunteer or internship experience who are either not getting hired or being severely underpaid. I know we always tend to poke fun at generations but I think it’s never been more important to let go of our generational pride and instead come together. We speak things into existence so I would caution anyone raising kids to fall for this. I’m already starting to hear a bunch of awful things being said about Gen Alpha. Let’s understand and empower each other so that we can overcome today’s challenges that we inevitably all have to face in today’s world 💪💪💪

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Thank you for writing this! My generation has gotten a ton of hits too, but I don't pay attention to it. It doesn't define me. We are all unique and who we are matters more than when we were born. Plus even though I was born in 1979 I feel like I belong in 1800 most of the time! :) I think it's great that you have a channel discussing these things and trying to improve the outlook for your generation. Wishing you tons of support and love for your channel. May you help bring many people out of the darkness and into the light of hope! xoxo

[@GrnHaven]

1984 here and can relate to both 😂 🤦‍♀️

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Yep! I totally get that!

[@KrystalGuava]

Hey Alexa! I have been consuming your content video by video and have loved watching the progress!! I'm a Gen Y'er/Millennial and I’m considering documenting my KZbin journey. Similar to your topics, I want to provide advice for new Millennial KZbinrs and incorporate financial guidance for new-budding-YT businesses. I’m an accountant, and I’m thinking of integrating financial insights into my content but not make it the central theme to avoid a niche that feels too boring. However, I’m unsure if this idea is too broad. Based on your insights, do you have any advice on this?

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Hey Krystal! Thank you for writing and your questions. #1 Finance is definitely not boring to someone that needs advice on it, so I wouldn't worry about that. #2 It is one of the highest paying CTR for ad sense with youtube ads. #3 I have seen some pretty amazing channels run by woman that are all about finance and they are killing it! As a woman, I would love to hear advice from another female. It someone feels safer, because women know how women think or I don't know, but seems more appealing for some reason. Not to offend any men out there. :) I think it also would fit nicely with the niche of helping new KZbinrs as well. There is a lot of overlap that could happen with those two ideas...and plus there is this concept of double niching or even triple niching so that might be just what you are doing. For example, Yoga for moms would be a niche, but Yoga for moms on a budget would be a double niche. So yours might be a channel about how to grow a youtube channel for new KZbinrs that are interested in finance...Or financially conscious KZbinrs. Anyhooo, I think it could work really well and actually might be an advantage because you would capture a more specific area of youtube, thus growing your channel and tribe faster. Wish you the best with it. Keep in contact and let me know how it goes or what you figures out. You can also go into both genres on youtube and look at what videos are doing really well (trending videos) then find a way to create a hybrid of the top videos in each category. So if you see a video on like Top 5 insert Finance Advice and then you see a video about "being over 40 on youtube" you could someone merge the two..."How Starting a KZbin Channel Can Boost Your Finances After 40" or "From Side Hustle to Financial Freedom: KZbin Over 40" or "Managing Finances and Content Creation: A Guide for KZbinrs Over 40" or "Top 5 Financial Tips for New KZbinrs Over 40" just as some examples. Hope it helps!!! xoxo

[@KrystalGuava]

@@AlexaSaarenoja thank you so much for your detailed response! I truly appreciate the time you took to share insightful ideas to kickstart my journey. Initially, I had concerns about the YT financial industry being oversaturated, but now I see how being a woman and a newcomer to content creation can actually be advantageous. I’ll explore multiple niche content formats based on that. Your encouragement has given me a fantastic starting point. I’ll definitely stay in touch and update you on the direction I choose and my progress! Sending back some XOXOs! 😊

[@BoyILoveTV]

I was born in early 1981, so technically a very oldest Millennial. But I definitely have Gen X traits. In fact, I was genuinely shocked to find out I was a Millennial, because I was already too old for so much of what defines the Millennial generation. I can understand how Gen Jones feels since they're technically Boomers yet were the founders of early Gen X culture. However, as I am on the opposite end, I'm a Millennial yet experienced the tail end of X culture rather than the beginning of the Millennial era. So while I have no shame in being a Millennial, I believe I am more accurately a Xennial.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Xennial - I just heard of this now. That is a perfect description! xoxo

[@annoholics]

Born in 1970 so I should be gen X but I don't feel those labels that you mentioned are really appropriate to me. We had a computer in the house in 1978, so then I was 8. I learned my first programming on that computer when I was 8. Sure we did not had Internet at that time, that came roughly 20 years later but I was familiar with computers. I remember "downloading" computer programs from the radio. There were computer shows on the radio and you could record on cassette tapes those weird beeping sounds, and that could be loaded in your computer. So, in short I don't have just the feeling that I grew up with computers, I actualy have the feeling that I experienced it all when it was just brand new. I played the first computer game when it was new (pong), I was on the Internet with dial up modems, I had my first iPhone when it was brand new. I experience the first voice chats over the Internet with Roger Wilco. Etc, etc. I experienced it all. As somebody that works in IT I can't really say that I am not familiar with technology. Actually, when the Gen Y generation needs help with their computer, wifi, phone, etc. they come to me.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Haha love it! Wow a computer in your house in the 70s...that's pretty special I think! Cool! I remember my brother getting code from magazines to make his own games on the computer. That was pretty neat! xoxo

[@TruckingTogether]

1977 here my husband is 1983, we both feel we are more Gen X but also find we prefer text over phone calls 😂 Best of luck to you on your channel, was suggested to me. My husband and I have been doing youtube 3 years now it’s been a good business, need to work more on my thicker skin the bigger we get though lots of unhappy folks in the world ;)

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

I have heard that actually. In some of the youtube groups I am in...the bigger you get the more trolls and negativity. One pro of staying small I guess, get to stay in the bubble of bliss! haha That's a shame though, sorry there are haters out there ruining the fun, but focus on the positive, it's a happier way of life anyway. :) Look at us with our younger hubbies, haha love it! Fun times! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, maybe our apathetic nature of gen x allows us to embrace the texting...haha Thanks again for commenting! xoxo

[@TruckingTogether]

@@AlexaSaarenoja yes I watched your other video first (why you should youtube in 40’s) so I suppose that comment came over from that video lol.. I do have an extremely loyal following of viewers and interesting enough most are ages 65+. I’m in a weird niche market (trucking) and as a woman in a man’s world still that’s where a lot of the haters come out on, understandable when you take in the age group and their generation differences. We just tell them go be a boomer somewhere else usually 😂 I like your content, not sure how much will apply to me since I’ve already built my channel but I think you are a great addition on here and very glad your “walking” video was suggested! 🍻 And younger hubbies definitely seems to be a thing in our age bracket, Almost all the couples we know are similar with the husband being on average 6 years younger - I like to think they are easier to train when younger 😅

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

@@TruckingTogether OMG you made me laugh so hard on the "easier to train" when younger. Hilarious! Thank you for that. haha Oh yep, I know all about being in a man's profession, that makes sense why there are so many haters, but they need to just get over it or get out! :) Which is basically what you are saying so that's great. Much respect for your job by the way - super underappreciated profession. Wouldn't have all the things we have in the stores without truck drivers and the time a lot of them have to sacrifice away from family to keep the stores stocked....just goes way unnoticed. Plus, um those trucks are a blast to drive. I had the pleasure of driving an 18-wheeler a few times back in the day. It was awesome to be up so high and just feel like a queen of the open road and so bouncy! haha But anyway...thank you for sharing your story. xoxo

[@richardlarson246]

I was born in 64 but am far more of a Gen X than a Boomer, cultural and otherwise. No one born in 63 was part of the boom of WWII vets coming home and fathering children... My parents were kids during the war. Not people who came home and boomed;)

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Nice to hear your perspective! Thank you for sharing. :)

[@everythingbearausphreak7370]

Dead set I’m 1984 but growing up in a small country town on a beef farm I might be officially Gen Y but I’m definitely Gen X at heart …

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Haha awesome! Small country living = special place in my heart. Love the lifestyle! THank you for watching! xoxo

[@englishmadeeasybysindhuja]

Hi I am a Gen X on a journey of youtube content creation Hope to learn from you❤

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Yea! I will do my best to provide excellent content. Xoxo Thank you for watching!

[@Largefamilylargegrace]

I still have an aol account 😝🙃

[@KrystalGuava]

Hahaha! Love this! I can still hear the login-dial-up signal.

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Haha wow so retro!

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

@@KrystalGuava me too!

[@Largefamilylargegrace]

@@KrystalGuava yes! 🤣

[@DarrenThompson]

Projector! )))

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

YES! that's what that was called! hahah Wow is it too young to start forgetting these things. hahah ugh! xoxo

[@safiKhan-zl1ri]

Hello dear Are you looking for a attractive youtube thumbnail designer and youtube video SEO expert.?

[@AlexaSaarenoja]

Not right now, but maybe someone else will be if they see your comment. Wishing you the best!