If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a “back in my day” comment or found yourself dodging a phone call like it’s a pop quiz, congrats—you’re living the Gen Z experience.
There’s something oddly satisfying about realizing all the little rebellions you never planned just by growing up in a world totally different from the one your parents knew.
This isn’t about dunking on Boomers; it’s about that beautiful, awkward, and sometimes hilarious process of rewriting the rulebook for what it means to be you. We’re talking about the quirks, choices, and bold new norms that make Gen Z tick—and leave older generations scratching their heads.
Whether you’re proudly waving your eco-friendly tote or still explaining why texting > calling, this list is your club, your confessional, and your permission slip to laugh at how much things have changed. So, here are 17 things Boomers just don’t get about Gen Z’s upbringing—and why that’s something to celebrate.
1. Growing Up Online
Picture this: you’re five years old, swiping through an iPad like you were born knowing your way around a touchscreen. For Gen Z, the digital world isn’t some thrill ride you board at adulthood—it’s the default setting, as natural as breathing or, you know, avoiding eye contact with neighbors.
Remember when learning cursive was a rite of passage, and yet you can type faster with your thumbs than most Boomers can on a keyboard? Your timeline isn’t a highlight reel; it’s a living scrapbook, equal parts inside joke and existential dread. It’s not that you’re obsessed with screens; it’s just that they were always part of the scenery.
Sure, you might feel weirdly nostalgic for Vine or get a little defensive about your screen time. But you know what? Navigating memes, group chats, and the wild west of the internet gave you skills Boomers never saw coming—like decoding sarcasm in 280 characters or finding community in corners of the web no one else understands. Welcome to digital native status.
2. Mental Health is Real Health
Imagine saying the words “I’m going to therapy” at a family dinner and watching jaws hit the floor—yep, the generational gap is real. For Gen Z, mental health isn’t whispered about behind closed doors; it’s front and center, no permission slips required.
Self-care isn’t bubble baths and scented candles—it’s boundaries, group chats for venting, and knowing when to tap out of toxic conversations. You grew up seeing anxiety and depression discussed on Instagram story highlights, making it feel normal to have a bad day, talk about meds, or share a meme about existential dread.
This shift isn’t just about being “soft.” It’s about refusing to suffer in silence and realizing you’re not broken for needing help. Owning your mental health means saying no to the old “just tough it out” attitude and yes to healing, honesty, and actually enjoying your own company. That’s not weakness; that’s growth.
3. Text, Don’t Call
Is there anything more anxiety-inducing than seeing your phone ring with an unknown number? Gen Z’s unofficial motto: if you love me, please just text. Phones are for memes, group chats, and voice notes—actual calls are reserved for emergencies or, you know, grandparents.
This isn’t laziness; it’s efficiency. Texting gives you time to compose your thoughts, add the perfect emoji, and avoid the “did I interrupt you?” awkwardness. Plus, who wants to risk getting stuck in a never-ending call spiral about weather or grocery lists?
Growing up with constant notifications means you value your own time as much as anyone else’s, and you’re not afraid to set communication boundaries. So, if you ignore a call, it’s not a snub—it’s just business as usual. Sorry, Boomers, the ringtone is just background noise now.
4. Casual is the New Formal
Once upon a time, dress codes were ironclad: no jeans, no sneakers, definitely no hoodie. But you? You showed up to your first internship in Doc Martens and a band tee, and no one batted an eye. For Gen Z, comfort isn’t just a trend—it’s a birthright.
Gone are the days of squeezing into itchy suits to impress people who only talk about the weather. Your version of “business casual” might look like what Boomers call “weekend attire,” but you know it’s all about what lets you actually focus and get things done.
Choosing comfort over conformity isn’t about disrespect—it’s about showing up as your real self. Because let’s be honest, nobody ever had a million-dollar idea while distracted by a too-tight collar or blistered feet. Style, but on your own terms.
5. Breaking the Career Mold
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” used to have a handful of answers: doctor, lawyer, teacher. But you? You’re juggling a TikTok side hustle, freelance gigs, and maybe even a podcast about weird facts from the 2000s. The linear career ladder? Never heard of her.
For Gen Z, work isn’t a life sentence—it’s a launching pad. You’re not afraid to switch gears, take breaks, or reject jobs that expect loyalty but offer zero flexibility. High-fiving your inner entrepreneur is basically a daily ritual.
Remote work, gig economies, and “building your brand” are second nature, not pipe dreams. Sure, it confuses the boomers, but hey—figuring out your path is half the fun. Why settle for one career when you can invent five?
6. Activism is a Lifestyle
Not so long ago, activism was a weekend hobby for the few. Now? It’s a Tuesday, and you’re sharing climate justice petitions between classes. For Gen Z, standing up for what you believe in isn’t a big announcement—it’s just what you do.
From organizing protests to calling out injustice on social media, you use every tool in the toolbox. It’s about more than hashtags; it’s about making real changes, even if it’s exhausting. You know burnout is real, but silence is worse.
Whether you’re marching, reposting, or just having tough conversations at the dinner table, you’re living proof that activism isn’t a phase—it’s a lifestyle. Boomers might call it “too much,” but you call it caring loudly. And that’s worth celebrating.
7. Eco-Anxiety and Real Action
You didn’t need a polar bear meme to know the planet’s in trouble—you just looked outside. The eco-anxiety is real, but so is the drive to change things. For Gen Z, every tote bag, thrifted fit, and Meatless Monday is a small act of rebellion.
It’s not enough to “just recycle.” You’re out here swapping plastic for bamboo, calling out greenwashing, and building group chats for zero-waste hacks. Suddenly, eco-friendly isn’t a niche hobby; it’s the default. If older generations roll their eyes at your metal straw stash, let them.
Each choice is a quiet (or very loud) stand for the future you want to see. Climate change isn’t tomorrow’s problem—and neither is your willingness to do something about it.
8. Education is a Choose-Your-Own Adventure
Remember when school meant sitting in neat rows and raising your hand for bathroom breaks? Now, you’re toggling between Zoom lectures, YouTube crash courses, and group project DMs, all from the comfort of your own chaos.
Gen Z grew up in the age of Google, so the idea that “learning only happens in the classroom” feels prehistoric. You know there’s a tutorial for everything—from coding to cooking to fixing your own Wi-Fi.
This freedom to learn on your own terms means education isn’t a straight line—it’s a choose-your-own-adventure story. Sure, it’s overwhelming sometimes, but you wouldn’t trade your digital toolkit for a single chalkboard. Boomers, meet the DIY degree.
9. Memes as Communication
If a picture’s worth a thousand words, a meme is worth a whole therapy session. Gen Z can have entire conversations using nothing but SpongeBob reactions and crying-laugh emojis. It’s a language, a coping tool, and sometimes a full-on roast—all in one.
Older generations might ask, “Why not just say what you mean?” But you know that memes say what words can’t: sarcasm, irony, and a sprinkle of existential dread. If you’ve ever sent a meme instead of answering a simple “How are you?”—congrats, you’re fluent.
Using memes isn’t about avoiding real talk; it’s about finding connection in chaos. And sometimes, you just need a good meme to remind you you’re not alone in feeling a little unhinged.
10. Redefining Friendship
Who says your BFF has to live down the street? Gen Z’s friendships are global, digital, and often forged in Discord channels or group chats that never sleep. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never met IRL—if someone gets your obscure references, they’re family.
Forget cliques and popularity contests; your people are the ones who send TikToks at 2 a.m. and hype up your smallest victories. You know the value of chosen family, and you’re not afraid to invest in connections that matter, even if they break the “normal” mold.
It’s not about quantity, it’s about quality—and finding your weird, wonderful tribe wherever they happen to log in. Boomers may never understand how you can love someone you met online, but that just makes your story that much sweeter.
11. Work-Life Fluidity
Work-life balance sounds cute, but for Gen Z, it’s all about the blur. Your “office” is wherever your laptop lands—sometimes it’s your bed, sometimes it’s a coffee shop, and sometimes it’s a park bench with good Wi-Fi.
You grew up watching adults burn out on the 9-to-5 grind, so you opted for something different: jobs that respect your need for naps, time off for mental health, and the right to log off without guilt. If that means working odd hours or freelancing, so be it.
The old “live to work” mindset never fit, and you’re not afraid to say so. Instead, you work to live—on your own terms, with time for joy (and the occasional midday snack).
12. Boundaries are Self-Respect
Remember when saying “no” made you feel guilty for a week? Gen Z decided that era is over. Now, setting boundaries isn’t rudeness—it’s self-respect, whether you’re skipping the party or muting that energy-draining group chat.
You say no to things that exhaust you, even if it means missing out or disappointing others. There’s power in protecting your space, and you know peace is a valid priority. No explanation required.
It’s not always easy, and sometimes you second-guess yourself, but you’re learning that honoring your boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s survival. And honestly? That’s the kind of growth everyone deserves.
13. Experience Over Possessions
Why buy another gadget when you could spend that cash on concert tickets, road trips, or a spontaneous food crawl? Gen Z has turned experience into currency, collecting memories instead of stuff that gathers dust (or, let’s be honest, ends up on Depop).
You know happiness doesn’t come from the latest tech drop but from late-night talks, shared playlists, and the freedom to explore. It’s not about being minimalist; it’s about being intentional with what you invest in.
Maybe you don’t have a house full of heirlooms, but you’ve got stories, inside jokes, and a camera roll that’s basically a highlight reel of good times. And isn’t that what matters most?
14. Blending Cultures is Normal
Your playlist is a world tour, your favorite foods come from three different continents, and you switch between languages or slang without missing a beat. For Gen Z, blending cultures isn’t exotic—it’s everyday life.
You’ve learned to celebrate differences without making a big show of it. Whether you’re cooking fusion recipes or repping your heritage in small ways, you’re comfortable mixing it up. Gatekeeping just isn’t your thing.
The world is smaller, richer, and infinitely more interesting when you’re open to it. Maybe Boomers didn’t grow up this way, but you’re happy to invite them to the table—metaphorically and literally.
15. Being Woke Isn’t an Insult
Some people throw “woke” around like it’s a bad thing, but you know better. Paying attention to injustice, learning about privilege, and calling out microaggressions isn’t performative—it’s the baseline for being a decent human.
Gen Z turned staying woke into a lifelong habit, not a fleeting trend. You’re not afraid to challenge the status quo, even if it means tough conversations or online debates that never really end.
Owning your awareness doesn’t make you “oversensitive”—it makes you compassionate. If that makes you the “woke generation,” so be it. Wear it like a badge of honor.
16. No More Hustle Worship
Hustle culture? Hard pass. Gen Z has seen enough burnout, stress, and “rise and grind” mantras to last a lifetime. You know rest isn’t laziness—it’s necessary, and you’re reclaiming the right to slow down.
You’re comfortable saying, “I’m done for today” instead of glorifying overwork. Productivity doesn’t define your worth, and you refuse to chase goals that only lead to exhaustion.
Choosing peace over pressure is revolutionary in a world obsessed with hustle. So, next time someone says “sleep is for the weak,” just smile and nap anyway. That’s your power move.
17. Redefining Success
Success used to mean one thing: big house, big job, big bank account. Your version? Passion projects, mental health wins, and maybe a shelf full of thrifted treasures. Gen Z knows fulfillment doesn’t have to fit in a spreadsheet.
Maybe you care more about having time for friends or launching a side hustle than climbing the corporate ladder. Maybe your proudest achievement is surviving a tough year, or finishing a zine that makes your heart happy.
Redefining success means giving yourself permission to rewrite what matters. That’s not just a glow-up—it’s a revolution, and you’re leading it, one tiny victory at a time.