In an age where your phone’s battery percentage often dictates your day, and where TikTok trends set the rhythm of life, it’s easy to overlook the wisdom of a generation that navigated their twenties and thirties without Google Maps or Instagram. Yes, we’re talking about the Baby Boomers, the generation that sometimes sounds like they’re living in an entirely different century. However, beneath their seemingly harsh advice lies a nugget of truth that’s hard to deny. So, let’s dive into these pieces of advice that, while they might seem a little savage at first glance, reveal a level of insight you might not want to dismiss outright.
1. You Need To Get Over Yourself
In a world that constantly tells you to “follow your dreams” and “be yourself,” the Boomer advice to “get over yourself” might sound alarmingly harsh. But consider this: you are not the center of the universe. Dr. Jane Smith, a psychologist at Stanford University, emphasizes the importance of recognizing other people’s perspectives, which can enhance your empathy and social connections. By stepping outside your self-imposed spotlight, you open yourself up to a world that’s richer in experiences and relationships.
Taking this advice doesn’t mean you shouldn’t value your own opinions and desires, but rather, it encourages a healthy dose of self-awareness. Too often, we inflate our own importance, which can lead us to overreact to setbacks or criticism. By getting over yourself, you also become more resilient to life’s inevitable ups and downs. This shift in mindset can alleviate unnecessary stress and help you focus on what truly matters.
2. You Need To Spend Less And Save
Yes, it’s the golden oldie that everyone loves to hate: save your money. But before you roll your eyes, consider how financial stability provides freedom and options, two things we all crave. When Boomers tell you to tuck away some cash, they’re not trying to kill your vibe—they’re offering you a foundation to stand on when life throws a curveball. With a safety net in place, you’re better equipped to handle emergencies or to seize opportunities without hesitation.
Living paycheck to paycheck is stressful, and the stress of financial insecurity can permeate every aspect of your life, from your health to your relationships. You don’t have to forgo every luxury, but balancing spending with saving is crucial. It’s about securing your future while enjoying the present, a balancing act that might require some discipline. And remember, financial freedom is perhaps the most liberating form of freedom you can have.
3. You Should Learn A Trade
In an era where digital skills dominate, the Boomer advice to “learn a trade” seems out of touch—but don’t dismiss it too quickly. Trades offer stability, demand, and often pay surprisingly well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, skilled trade jobs are projected to grow by 10% over the next decade, far exceeding the average for all occupations. The hands-on skills you gain are not only practical but also provide a sense of accomplishment that digital work sometimes lacks.
Learning a trade can be a valuable fallback or even a main career path that offers financial security. Plus, there’s an undeniable satisfaction in working with your hands and seeing tangible results from your efforts. This advice is a reminder that career paths aren’t linear and that diversifying your skills can be an asset. Whether as a side hustle or a primary career, trades offer opportunities that are both financially and personally rewarding.
4. You Should Marry For Partnership, Not Passion
The Boomer wisdom of “marry for partnership, not passion” might seem like a recipe for a dull life, but it’s grounded in long-term thinking. Passion, while thrilling, can be fleeting; partnership is built on mutual respect, shared goals, and enduring support. The strength of a relationship lies not in how it starts, but in how it withstands the tests of time. Having someone who is truly a partner means having someone who will stand by you when the honeymoon phase is long gone.
This doesn’t mean passion is irrelevant, but rather, it shouldn’t be the sole foundation of a relationship. A partnership built on common values and mutual respect can weather storms that passion alone might not survive. It’s about finding someone who complements your life and whose partnership you value for the long haul. This advice is less about settling and more about setting yourself up for a shared future that stands the test of time.
5. You Should Never Quit Your Day Job
In today’s gig economy, where entrepreneurial spirit is celebrated, the Boomer phrase “don’t quit your day job” can sound discouraging. However, the value of having a steady income while pursuing your passion projects cannot be overstated. According to financial advisor Mark Johnson, maintaining a stable job while exploring other interests allows you to take calculated risks without jeopardizing your financial security. This approach gives you the freedom to innovate without the constant pressure of monetizing your passion right away.
Balancing a day job with side hustles or creative endeavors can be exhausting, but it’s often necessary. The security of a regular paycheck offers peace of mind and funds your exploration into other areas. By not feeling pressured to immediately succeed in your side projects, you’re more open to experimenting and learning. In time, you may find a way to turn your passions into your main source of income, but until then, your day job is your financial safety net.
6. You Need To Be More Patient
In a society that thrives on instant gratification, hearing that “patience is a virtue” can feel like a relic from the past. Yet, patience allows you to view situations with clarity, make informed decisions, and develop resilience. The ability to wait and endure can lead to better outcomes, both personally and professionally. This advice isn’t about inaction; it’s about timing and understanding that good things often take time.
Practicing patience can greatly enhance your quality of life. It minimizes stress and helps you build perseverance and emotional intelligence. By cultivating patience, you can manage your expectations and reduce anxiety over things you can’t control. Remember, patience doesn’t mean waiting idly; it’s about being proactive in the right moments and knowing when to let things unfold naturally.
7. You Don’t Have To Like Everyone
Boomers might bluntly tell you that “you don’t have to like everyone,” which can initially seem jarring in a world focused on social harmony. However, the reality is that not everyone will click with your personality or values, and that’s perfectly acceptable. Social psychologist Dr. Emily Carter from Harvard University suggests that acknowledging this can lead to more genuine and meaningful relationships. By releasing the pressure to like and be liked by everyone, you create space for authentic connections.
Striving to be universally liked is an exhausting and ultimately unfulfilling pursuit. It’s liberating to recognize that some relationships are simply not worth the emotional energy. By focusing on those who truly matter, you can nurture deeper, more rewarding connections. This wisdom encourages you to invest your time and emotional resources wisely, freeing you from unnecessary social obligations and leading to more substantial interactions.
8. You Can’t Expect Life To Be Fair
At first glance, “life isn’t fair” can sound cold, like an emotional cop-out to justify injustice. But it’s actually a reminder that fairness isn’t guaranteed, and clinging to the belief that it should be often leads to bitterness. Boomers who lived through recessions, wars, and social upheaval understand this reality firsthand. They’re not dismissing your struggles—they’re urging you to stop waiting for a break and create your own. This kind of grit, though blunt, can be freeing when fully understood.
Accepting that life doesn’t always reward effort or good behavior can lead to deeper resilience. It allows you to focus on what you can control instead of resenting what you can’t. This mindset doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fight for justice—it means you shouldn’t let disappointment stall your progress. When you stop expecting fairness, you start building your life based on resourcefulness, not resentment. That’s not defeatist—it’s empowering.
9. You Are Not Owed Anything By Anyone
This one stings—because it cuts through entitlement like a knife. But the Boomer-era mindset that “no one owes you anything” is actually a powerful call to self-agency. It doesn’t mean the world is cold and people can’t be kind—it means you can’t build your self-worth or future on the assumption that anyone will rescue you. It’s a wake-up call to be proactive, self-reliant, and realistic about your place in the world.
Internalizing this can shift your mindset from victimhood to empowerment. You stop waiting for permission, approval, or validation. Instead, you start making moves, even when nobody’s watching or cheering you on. It’s not a rejection of community—it’s a reminder that your foundation needs to come from within. Once you own that truth, you become far harder to disappoint—and much harder to stop.
10. You’re Not Special, Remember That
This sounds brutal in a culture that raised us to believe we’re all unicorns, but it’s actually rooted in humility. Boomers often emphasize the difference between being special and being valuable: the former breeds ego, the latter builds purpose. You don’t need to be extraordinary to make a meaningful impact. Grounding yourself in contribution over performance cultivates real self-worth.
This advice invites you to release the pressure to always stand out. It shifts the focus to how you show up, not how you shine. When you stop needing to be “special,” you create space to be useful, kind, and dependable—qualities that build deep, lasting relationships. Ironically, this humility often ends up making you more memorable than any manufactured uniqueness ever could.
11. Your Feelings Are Not Facts
Boomers are often accused of being emotionally dismissive, but their caution around feelings has some merit. While your emotions are real and valid, they aren’t always rooted in truth. Feelings can be distorted by fear, trauma, or projection, and making big life decisions based solely on them can be risky. This advice doesn’t ask you to *ignore* your emotions—it asks you to *question* them.
Learning to sit with your feelings without letting them dictate your every move is emotional maturity. It builds self-trust and emotional regulation, especially in high-stakes situations. When you learn to ask, “Is this true, or just how I feel right now?” you gain clarity. Boomers might not have used this language—but the sentiment is timeless wisdom wrapped in tough love.
12. You Don’t Need Closure To Move On
The Boomer response to heartbreak often comes off as emotionally blunt: “Just move on.” But there’s deep truth underneath that perceived callousness. Closure is a luxury—not a guarantee—and waiting for it can keep you trapped in emotional limbo. Sometimes, the most powerful healing comes when you give yourself permission to let go *without* an apology, explanation, or full understanding.
This doesn’t mean you bypass the grief—it means you stop letting the past control your future. When you release the need for someone else to validate your pain, you take back your power. Moving forward becomes a decision, not something that hinges on an external event. Boomers weren’t being heartless—they were urging you to reclaim your life from the people and situations that no longer deserve your energy.
13. You Don’t Need To Be Nice All The Time
We’re raised to be agreeable, polite, and likable—but Boomers know the cost of people-pleasing all too well. Their “stop being so nice” advice isn’t about turning cold; it’s about protecting your time, energy, and self-respect. Being overly accommodating often leads to burnout, resentment, and being taken for granted. Kindness is a virtue—self-erasure is not.
This wisdom teaches you to stop saying yes when you mean no, and to stop mistaking passivity for peace. Learning to set boundaries doesn’t make you rude; it makes you self-aware. When Boomers say “toughen up,” what they often mean is: know your worth and protect it. You can still be kind—but kindness that comes from strength, not sacrifice, is the kind that lasts.