On Turning 70

On February 20, 2026, I celebrate my 70th birthday.  I guess I can’t claim to be ‘middle aged’ anymore because it’s unlikely I’ll live to be 140.  But, I only feel 70 in my left knee, right hip, and back.  So, what’s in between middle age and old age? Here’s how I look at it: the triple-archetype of a woman’s life is the know-nothing Maiden, next the Mother (and this doesn’t have to be a physical mother; it can be the fertile time of building identity/career and honing passions), then the Wise Old Woman/Crone/Sage. Embracing the Crone can be tricky because it means we are coming to terms that we are no longer ‘middle aged.’  I proudly wear a tee shirt that says, “It’s weird being the same age as old people.”

For all my life I thought I was a younger member of the Baby Boom Generation, but, I recently learned that I’m really a member of Generation Jones. Surprise!  You can ‘teach an old dog a new trick.’  Generation Jones refers to the group of people born between 1954 and 1965. This micro-generation is positioned between the Baby Boomers and Generation X, often characterized by unique cultural experiences and societal influences that distinguish them from the larger groups surrounding them. Generation Jones is noted for its pragmatic and adaptable worldview, shaped by significant historical events such as the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. They often feel a sense of longing for the American Dream that was promised but not fully realized, which is reflected in the term ‘jonesing’—a slang term for craving or longing. Yep, this is a thing - google it! (https://vegoutmag.com/lifestyle/k-8-unique-traits-of-generation-jones-that-completely-set-them-apart-from-boomers-and-gen-x/ ; https://www.upworthy.com/people-from-generation-jones-explain-their-x-major-cultural-differences-with-boomers-ex1 ). Members of the Generation Jones group include Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey, President Barack & Michelle Obama, Keanu Reeves, Drew Barrymore, Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Unlike Boomers, who may be less tech-savvy, Generation Jones has adapted to technological advancements, often bridging the gap between older and younger generations. They tend to value authenticity and personal fulfillment, often seeking a balance between work and life, which contrasts with the more traditional views of Boomers.  Our parents likely didn’t fight in WWII; instead, they may have served in the Korean War.  As one Gen Jones person put it, "Think of us as a generation that got the tail end of the party but had to clean up the mess” (qtd. in https://www.upworthy.com/people-from-generation-jones-explain-their-x-major-cultural-differences-with-boomers-ex1 ).

Here are some traits attributed to the collective of Generation Jones:

“ 1. They were disillusioned by Boomers' idealism. They grew skeptical and believed that this "better future" was not on the horizon. It left many of them feeling like the rug had been pulled out from underneath their feet before they even had a chance to stand. 

2. They were coming of age when divorce was most common. Because divorce rates began to rise in this country during the adolescent years of Gen Jones, a lot of them witnessed their parents separating at a time when the traditional idea of a family was still something many coveted after.

3. They helped normalize going to therapy.

4. They were sometimes the first to [graduate from] college in their families.

5. They knew what it meant to be bored. Before there was all of this entertainment, those born in Generation Jones actually knew the art of being bored and still. Compared to older Boomers who had access to live entertainment, such as Woodstock, or younger Gen Xers who were introduced to MTV, Gen Jones had only a handful of TV channels and was not familiar with digital forms of entertainment.  It meant that they actually had to take the time to be creative and find things to keep them busy. But, they also weren't opposed to just being bored. They were able to develop a real sense of patience and stillness because they weren't used to instant gratification. They were actually able to appreciate time in the moment, because they weren't being raised with constant stimulation.

6. They learned how to hustle. For Generation Jones, hustling was all about how to get ahead and simply survive. Many of them came up during a time when the economy was incredibly unstable, meaning that jobs weren't guaranteed, and they were taught to work hard and keep their head down. There wasn't room to complain, and because of that, Gen Jones learned early that if you really wanted something, it meant you had to work for it.

7. Hyper-aware of generational comparisons. Generation Jones is incredibly aware of the comparisons that they get to the two generations they're sandwiched between. From the start, they were expected to live up to the reputation and legacy of older Boomers, who were marching for the things that were important to them and always optimistic, along with Gen Xers, who were both independent and incredibly edgy. However, the reality for Gen Jones was far from the circumstances available to Boomers and Gen X. As a result, they felt as though they didn't truly belong anywhere. They were always aware of how they were being perceived, and how they weren't. The constant comparisons meant that they became hyper-aware of their own identities and the things that set them apart from those before and after them.

8. They have the 'trust no one' mentality. Generation Jones grew up in the face of many public betrayals that shattered the perception the public had of certain institutions. From politics to big corporations, those in Gen Jones were brought up with a "trust no one" mentality because of things like Watergate, the issues with war, and all of the chaos and distrust that the American people felt for those who were supposed to have their well-being in mind. They learned early on that people in power aren't always telling the truth or working for the betterment of those who elected them. The result meant that they were constantly questioning and double-checking to ensure that things were actually turning out the way they were supposed to. They, of course, don't expect perfection, but they expect things to be done with improving conditions and creating a better world.

9.  They have a quiet toughness to them. Gen Jones wasn't afraid of a challenge, and they never expected their lives to be easy. They just had the mentality of moving forward and not looking back. It means that they're quite calm in a crisis and truly know how to handle any conflict because of how long they've spent picking themselves up.

10. They're masters at talking in-person. Before there were all of these ways of communicating, Generation Jones was the one that knew how to connect with people in person. They grew up during a time when social interactions happened face-to-face or even over the phone. They learned how to read other people's body language, facial expressions, and even the shift of others' voices during conversations. It means that they were able to really practice and excel in their listening skills, and just being observers. They were able to charm a room because of how much they valued genuine conversations and connections” (https://www.yourtango.com/self/unique-traits-generation-jones-make-people-born-between-1954-1965-different).

On turning 70, I have one lingering disappointment. It’s that I didn’t get to date any of these people while they were between wives and I was between husbands: Paul McCartney, Davey Jones, and Peter Frampton.

On turning 70, I advocate for being a lifelong learner. For example, I earned my PhD at age 69, three years after I had retired. I am often asked why I’d go through the arduous process of earning a doctorate after I wasn’t working full time anymore.  My answer is simple: because I have the time to devote to it now.  During my 40s-60s, I have questioned everything, especially the aspects of life that I wasn’t “supposed to question”: the religion I was brought up in and indoctrinated into, strict manners that I had been taught in the deep south - most of them didn’t make sense to me, the false “divine role of the patriarchy.”  I keep questioning and I keep learning.

On turning 70, I encourage people to extend compassion, empathy, assistance, acceptance, caring, standing up for justice for all, standing up for yourself, and standing up to bullies.  Yes, that makes me WOKE, and that’s a great thing to be! This quote attributed to, but not actually from Pope Leo XIV resonates with me: “ Woke is not insult.  It means awakened by compassion, humbled by grace, committed to justice, not just for some but for all.”

On turning 70, I urge people to make friends of all ages.  We have so much to learn from younger people and they can learn something from older people.  When we don’t just hang around our own age group / generation members, we gain perspective, explore other viewpoints, and keep from becoming “old farts” or agists.

On turning 70, I propose we all steer clear of judging others and judging ourselves.  Please wish me a ‘Happy 70th Birthday’ and share your insights on turning 70 by either commenting below this post if you are reading this on Blue Sky or Substack, or, if you are reading this through your email subscription, please share, by emailing me, at reimaginelife22@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading and participating in this blog essay; I invite you to subscribe to my blog at www.reimaginelifecoach.com.