Alright, Gen X, let’s talk about something unexpected. For the past two years, I’ve been in college sitting in classrooms, logging into online discussions, and collaborating on projects alongside Gen Z. And let me tell you, I went in with preconceived notions about this generation. I thought they were glued to their phones, allergic to face-to-face conversation, and fundamentally different from us.

Turns out, I was wrong.

Not only did I survive sharing a classroom with Gen Z, but I found myself relating to them way more than I ever anticipated. I went in expecting a disconnect, but these kids embody Gen X energy more than I ever imagined. I have 2 Gen Z daughters that I have thought are pretty cool for their 17 - 20 age group, but I kind of thought that was a reflection of my awesome Gen X parenting. Strangely enough, it might not be just my parenting at play. After 4 semesters with other Gen Zer's, I’ve realized that their independence, sharp wit, and no-nonsense approach to life aren’t just the result of my influence. Those qualities are woven into the fabric of their generation. Somewhere between TikTok trends and the COVID isolation, they’ve developed a resilience and realism that feels familiar. In fact, they might just be carrying more Gen X energy than I ever gave them credit for. 

1. The "We’re Both the Underdog Generation" Revelation

• Gen X? The forgotten generation, wedged between Boomers and Millennials.
• Gen Z? The generation overshadowed by Millennial culture and navigating a chaotic world.
• Both groups? Raised to be independent, skeptical, and self-reliant.

2. The "Cynical, but Make It Productive" Mindset

• We Gen Xers grew up questioning authority and rolling our eyes at corporate nonsense since we didn’t buy into the fake enthusiasm.
• Gen Z? Same deal. They see through BS fast and aren’t afraid to say it.
• Instead of blind optimism, both generations embrace practicality over perfection by doing what needs to be done without the fluff. The work smarter not harder tag line was the mantra me and my Gen Z classmates used on every group assignment. I am not sure if it was called meshing or college trauma bonding, but the generational gap was less of an issue than I had anticipated when I began my college journey. 

3. The "DIY, Figure-It-Out Culture" Connection

• Gen X? We had latchkey kid survival skills; we figured things out because we had to.
• Gen Z? Thanks to a world that’s constantly shifting, they’ve embraced self-learning, hustle culture, and adaptation just like we did.
• Give them a challenge, and they won’t wait for instruction. They’ll Google it, you tube it and do it. I have witnessed my Gen Z classmates doing this as I simultaneously picked up my phone in a group project. Both generations apparently google everything.

4. The "Tech-Savvy but Tech-Skeptical" Paradox

• Yes, Gen Z lives online, but they don’t trust it fully.
• Gen X remembers life before the internet and still prefers real-life interactions over online ones.
• Gen Z? They’ve grown up knowing the dangers of digital life so they’re skeptical of trends, cautious with data, and don’t blindly follow influencers.

5. The "Give Me Practicality, Not Platitudes" Mentality

• If there’s one thing Gen X and Gen Z agree on? We hate unnecessary corporate nonsense.
• Neither generation wants pointless meetings, empty motivational speeches, or vague promises. We want results, efficiency, and honesty.
• Whether it’s careers, education, or life choices, both groups value having real-world skills over empty credentials.
• Gen Z were just as "cringe" as I was about making a LinkedIn profile for a grade in our Personal Branding class.

6. The "Unapologetic Individualism" Bond

• We Gen Xers never needed permission to be ourselves because we paved our own path.
• Gen Z? They’re doing the same thing by rejecting cookie-cutter expectations and defining success on their own terms.
• Both generations respect authenticity more than surface-level status.

The Takeaway? Gen Z Might Just Be Gen X, Reloaded.

Two years of college alongside Gen Z, and I’ve realized something: we’re more alike than we think. While many portray them as a generation consumed by TikTok and digital culture, the reality is they’re independent, skeptical, and resourceful. just like us.

So next time someone says, “kids these days”, I'm happy to advocate that Gen Z isn’t soft. They’re cynical, self-sufficient, and ready to take on the world which sounds pretty Gen X to me.

Are we witnessing the comeback of Gen X energy in the next generation? Maybe. Either way, I’ll take it.

“Have you found yourself relating to Gen Z more than expected?” Drop a comment or share.