Episode 1: Writing Our Next Season
So… welcome to GenX Unscripted. And, spoiler alert, we’re not here to talk about… retirement.
Yeah, I know, the hideous ‘R’ word. The monster in the closet we’ve all been afraid to look at. The one that makes people think of early-bird specials and bridge games. But for us? The cast of The GenX Show? This next season isn’t about winding down. It’s about discovery, redefining, and reinventing.
Welcome to the season three, the season that just gets weirder… and more fun. GenX style.
Storytime
I’m Rebecca Brown, but call me Bex. Tech veteran, life enthusiast, and apparently, ‘too experienced’ for every job I’ve applied to in the last year.
Yep, that’s me. Laid off from a sweet gig earlier this year. Our whole division was slashed like an old horror movie. Some of my younger teammates got transfered to new departments or quickly hired into new companies. But all the over-50s? Suddenly out to pasture and nobody’s hiring. Hm… can you say Ageism?
Invincible me, I wasn’t worried at first. I thought, hey, no problem. I’ve always been the candidate everyone wants. I’ll find something fast. Who doesn’t want 25+ years of experience?
Apparently, everyone.
Because, every application? Every interview? Suddenly, I’m ‘too experienced.’ Translation: too old. Seriously? Do they think I’m going to fall asleep over my computer screen or can’t make a PDF? I’m no Boomer. I built this tech, you whipper-snappers!
So, here I am, trying to figure out my life, one cup of coffee at a time. And one morning, standing in my kitchen pouring my French-pressed, third java of the day, a horrifying thought suddenly occurrs to me:
‘Wait… am I…retired?!’”
Like, I can’t be retired. My 401k is barely scraping 301k. I just bought my first house—ever. It’s too soon to downsize, I’m still upsizing. I have hopes and dreams for my life, adventures to have, story arcs to conclude.
It’s not walk into the sunset time. I can’t be cancelled!
I mean… what, am I supposed to do, take up knitting and complain about loud music? Dye my hair blue? (Actually, maybe the blue hair… But no! Not that kind of blue hair.)
I’m not now or ever going to be a Boomer retiree!!
Changing the Script
Has anyone else been ambushed by this whole retirement thing? Is retirement even the right word here? I mean, we’re GenX—grunge, mixtapes, dial-up internet, the original chaos generation. The R word is not in our vocabulary.
So let’s rewrite this story, yeah?
The first season was all about discovery—figuring out the world, making friends, maybe surviving high school. Second season? The grind, the hustle. Careers, raising kids, dealing with 90s tech. But this third season? It’s…the Big Question.
Not, ‘What’s left?’ but ‘What’s next?’
Like, who do I want to be now? Now that my career is either (maybe) behind me or chilling in neutral? What passions are still out there, waiting to be unearthed? Who am I in this season? And who do I want to be? What’s my new story arc?
So I’m not calling this the R word. It’s more like, ’Season Three: The Remix.’
Three Big Questions to Start Reinventing
You with me so far? Are you staring at the big R, or hiding from it? Or maybe you’re in the midst of navigating it right now and you’re as much at sea as I am. And if you’ve got advice, I’m listening.
If you’re in the same boat, here are three questions to kick things off. No mystical prophecies or chosen one vibes—just practical, GenX-style reinvention and figuring shit out.
Question 1: “Can I make this work financially?“Can I live off what I’ve saved, or do I need a side hustle?” Think of it like finding that perfect side quest in a video game. A little treasure hunt for grown-ups.
Question 2: “What’s my purpose now?” Work was the purpose, right? Maybe raising your family was what brought the most meaning. But what happens when work is over and family have flown the coup? Do we get a bigger friends group? A few good hobbies? Or a whole new identity?
Question 3: “How do I want to spend my time?” Time to list all those things we’ve actually wanted to do. Adventures, passions, maybe even……yoga. Who knows? The world is our oyster—again!
Your Turn: Let’s Do This Together
So, what about you? Had any ‘Oh crap, am I retired?’ moments yet? Or, if you’re already retired, got some wisdom to share? And if you’re still hiding your eyes from the scary monster in the corner, that’s cool. No pressure. When you’re ready, come on back and join the fun!
Drop a comment, share your thoughts, or tell me what’s exciting—or downright terrifying—about your third season. I need the help, the moral support, maybe even a battle cry.
Our show isn’t cancelled yet. We’re just writing the next season.
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