Boomers had a much easier time getting a stable job and buying a house than today. They were able to easily hold the same job for 40 years, retire with a pension and buying a decent home. They were able to do that even if it wasnt a prestigious white collar job
Now stable jobs are almost non existent as layoffs happen to almost everyone multiple times in their life, housing prices are unimaginably high to the point where buying one is only for the wealthy. Even getting a job is harder because there is no face to face interaction you are just another application.
This is why I can’t take them serious when they lecture younger generations about making money or being successful
Hey there,
I get it—you’re envious of the boomers and their seemingly “easy” lives. But before we go any further, let’s take a moment to step back and really look at the whole picture.
Yes, some boomers had stable jobs, affordable homes, and pensions that sound like fairy tales today. But that’s just one side of the story. Many of them faced challenges that would shake anyone to their core.
Take my uncle, for instance. He got drafted and shipped off to Vietnam at 19, along with thousands of others his age. Imagine being barely out of high school and sent into a warzone, surrounded by death and destruction. He came back, like so many others, with what we now know as PTSD—but back then? There was no therapy, no understanding. He was told to “man up” and get back to work. The mental health support we have today didn’t exist, and the stigma was crushing.
And let’s not forget the social battles they endured. If you were anything other than a straight, white man, life could feel like a constant uphill fight. Women weren’t just paid less—they were often denied the dignity of being seen as equals. The LGBTQ+ community wasn’t just marginalized; they were terrorized. The AIDS epidemic decimated lives while society largely turned its back. People of color fought through systemic racism that pervaded every corner of their lives, from schools to job opportunities to housing. These struggles weren’t a sideshow—they were the stage.
Even economically, it wasn’t all sunshine and roses. The 1970s brought oil crises, inflation so high that people lined up around the block for gas, and an economy that made everyone feel like the rug could be pulled out from under them at any moment. Boomers didn’t ride a wave of endless prosperity. Many faced layoffs, foreclosures, and retirements that didn’t go as planned.
And here’s another thing to think about: we’re talking about a generation that buried kids because childhood diseases like polio and measles were still devastatingly common before vaccines. A time when “mental health” wasn’t even in the conversation and depression or anxiety was just labeled as weakness. They didn’t have the tools and awareness we have now—they just had to endure.
Every Generation Has Its Struggles
Here’s the point: it’s easy to idealize the past when we’re feeling beaten down by the present. But no generation gets through life unscathed. The boomers had their battles, just like we do. The landscape is different now, no doubt about it—housing is absurdly expensive, job security is a joke, and it feels like you’re shouting into the void when you hit “submit” on an online job application. But sitting in resentment over the differences won’t solve anything.
Instead of wasting energy envying the past, focus on what you can control.
- Build skills that make you adaptable in this fast-changing world.
- Learn to live on less, save, and invest in your future.
- And most importantly, stop playing the comparison game. Your life is yours to live, not theirs to replicate.
Stop Playing the Victim
Here’s the tough love: as long as you see yourself as a victim of your circumstances, you’ll stay stuck. The world isn’t going to change overnight to make things easier for you. So you’ve got two choices:
- Keep complaining about how hard it is and let that bitterness eat you alive.
- Take ownership of your life and make the most of what you’ve got—even if it’s not ideal.
That doesn’t mean pretending everything’s fine. It means acknowledging the challenges while refusing to let them define you. It means working your tail off to find opportunities, learn skills, and build a life that works for you. Even if it’s not the life Boomers had. Even if it’s not the life you thought you’d have.
Turn Frustration Into Fuel
So, here’s the deal: the boomers had their shot at life, and now it’s our turn. It’s our turn to take what’s in front of us—however imperfect it is—and build something meaningful. Complaining about how “easy” they had it doesn’t change the game. It just wastes your time. Use that frustration as fuel. Innovate. Adapt. Take risks.
Yes, the rules are different now. But that doesn’t mean you can’t win. It just means you’ve got to play smarter, lean harder into what matters, and define success on your terms—not anyone else’s.
You’ve got this. Make the most of it.