We Don’t Give a Sh*t If You Like Us.

We Don’t Give a Sh*t If You Like Us.

XO, Gen X

by Lady Latchkey

We're not gonna take itNo, we ain't gonna take itWe're not gonna take it anymore

We've got the right to choose, and

There ain't no way we'll lose it

This is our life, this is our song

We'll fight the powers that be, just

Don't pick on our destiny, 'cause

You don't know us, you don't belong

-Twisted Sister

The OCD’s of a generation

In a world obsessed with likes, shares, and endless validation, there’s one group that stands proudly outside the chaos: Generation X. You know us—we’re the latchkey kids, the ones who grew up with cassette tapes, MTV, and dial-up internet. We’ve been called the “forgotten generation,” sandwiched between the idealism of the Boomers and the attention-hungry Millennials. But honestly? We don’t mind. We’re here to remind the world that we don’t need anyone’s approval, and the reason is simple: survival.

Raised on Cereal and Resilience

Gen Xers came of age during a time when things weren’t handed to us, and quite frankly, we learned how to fend for ourselves. Many of us grew up in homes where both parents worked, or maybe they weren’t around at all. We were the kids who let ourselves in after school, cooked our own meals, and did our homework alone—usually while watching TV or blasting rock music.

This self-sufficiency built an unshakable resilience in us. We learned early on that the world wasn’t going to bend over backward to make us comfortable. Life wasn’t about participation trophies or constant praise; it was about figuring it out—whatever “it” was—and pushing forward. If something didn’t work out, we didn’t have the luxury of whining about it. We simply moved on.

Complacency or Contentment or maybe just slacker

You might think our attitude is one of complacency. After all, Gen X doesn’t make as much noise as other generations. We don’t stage massive protests or tweet every opinion. But that’s not because we don’t care. It's because we’ve been through enough to know that not everything requires a battle. We pick our fights carefully, focusing on what matters most to us personally, whether that’s our family, our career, or our hobbies.

For us, survival meant adapting without needing the world to validate our every move. This cultivated a quiet confidence that says, "We’re good, whether you see it or not."

No Need for Approval, is that OK?

In an era where social media can make it feel like everyone’s eyes are on you, Gen X is that rare breed that just doesn’t care. We grew up in analog, and while we’ve adapted to the digital world, we don’t feel the need to perform in it. We’re the ones who might not even have Instagram accounts—or if we do, we don’t live and die by the notifications.

This nonchalance comes from our survival skills. We’ve spent decades balancing the demands of work, family, and life without needing anyone to cheer us on. We don’t crave the same validation that seems to fuel other generations because we’ve learned that the only opinion that really matters is our own.

Surviving the Chaos Creatively

Let’s not forget the times we’ve lived through. From the Cold War to economic recessions to the rise of the internet, Gen X has seen it all. We grew up skeptical of authority, thanks to Watergate and other political scandals. We witnessed the world transform, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse, and we adapted.

And we’re still adapting. But unlike younger generations, who are often criticized for being overly sensitive or demanding constant affirmation, we’ve learned to keep our heads down and power through. We don’t need to shout from the rooftops to survive. Our silence is our strength.

The Takeaway has been taken.

So, when we say, “We don’t give a sh*t if you like us,” it’s not about being rude. It’s about living authentically in a world that constantly demands validation and attention. We’re not here for the likes or the applause. We’re here because we’ve survived, and we’ll continue to thrive on our own terms.

We’re Gen X, and we’re still standing. Whether you notice us or not.

XO,

GEN XMyGenMixtape