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February 7th is my 52nd birthday.

And although it seems like just yesterday that I was galavanting across Canada and Alaska for 7 weeks with my dog (Winnie) and a towable trailer to celebrate my 50th birthday, it also seems like a lifetime ago.

The last two years have held a lot of opportunities for growth and learning: financially, physically, emotionally, personally, professionally, romantically.

And, as I tend to do every 365 days, I like to pause and reflect on what I've learned thus far in life, what I want to leave behind, and what I hope to experience going forward.

So this year, I want to pass my reflections onto you, my dear GenX'ers (along with some quotes from other badass GenXer's).

My hope is that this rambunctious group of folks who turn 44 to 59 years old this year, can find some wisdom in these reflections that will help us all continue to age gracefully . . . while of course still believing that we're really only 30!

Tip 1: Practice JOMO Instead of FOMO

"I only do what my gut tells me to. I think it's smart to listen to other people's advice, but at the end of the day, you're the only one who can tell you what's right for you." —Jennifer Lopez

You've heard of FOMO: Fear of Missing Out. Well, it's time for GenX'ers to release the FOMO, embrace our inner rebel, and lean into JOMO - the Joy of Missing Out.

All of those societal expectations of who you're supposed to be, how far along you're supposed to be, and what your life is supposed to look like . . . ditch 'em! Especially if you've been upholding those expectations out of fear!

We're too old to be living from fear! It's time to insert more joy!

Tip 2: Embrace Who You Are

"When you finally accept that you're a complete dork, your life gets easier. No sense in trying to be cool."―Reese Witherspoon 

It always surprises me that for a generation of rebellious, non-conformist misfits, we sure do bend ourselves into pretzels trying to get other people to like us. We become experts at hiding the parts of ourselves that we think others will deem inappropriate, weird, unacceptable, or dorky.

Aren't you exhausted from doing that? 

If so, it's time to embrace those parts of yourself that you've been hiding away. 

Tip 3: Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

"Drink some coffee, put some gangsta rap on and handle it." ―Ice Cube

There ain't no growth in your comfort zone. If your life isn't where you want it to be, you have to start with recognizing that your comfort zone–miserable as it may be - is keeping you safe and small.

At the same time, you don't want to shock your system by forcing yourself into uncomfortable territory.

The key is to edge toward growth by learning to feel comfortably uncomfortable.

Tip 4: Heal Your Money Trauma

"If you look at life through the framework of money, you will miss most of the picture." ―Dave Chappelle

Many of our Baby Boomer parents instilled in us some deeply ingrained fears and scarcity around money. In addition, GenX'ers have experienced a lot of financial uncertainty with the 1987 Black Monday stock market crash and the global recession of 2018.

Needless to say, GenX'ers often don't have the best relationship with money. From feeling the need to scrimp and save every penny for retirement, to wanting to spend money like water because we think we'll just work 'til we die, there's a lot of healing that needs to be done in our financial lives.

Tip 5: Laugh At Yourself More

"That's a wonderful side effect of leather pants: When you pee yourself in them, they're more forgiving than jeans." ―Slash

Although navigating our 40s and 50s can come with a lot of serious challenges, it's always good to remember to keep our sense of humor. Especially when it comes to laughing at yourself a bit more.

Our bodies may be creakin' and leakin', but it beats the alternative of pushing up daisies. So remember to laugh - or at least smile - at yourself and your body once in awhile. 

Tip 6: Create More Connection

"Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget to take the time out to enjoy the beauty in life. It's like we're zombies. Look up and take your headphones out. Say 'Hi' to someone you see and maybe give a hug to someone who looks like they're hurting." —Keanu Reeves

I know that being a connector is one of my superpowers, so this seems like a no-brainer for me.

And I know thatfor some GenX'ers connecting is more challenging, whether it's with others, themselves, or the world around them.

Or maybe for other GenX'ers, developing more connections isn't on their radar because, "hey, I don't have time or space for more connection."

I hear ya…and, let me plant a couple of seeds for you:

Are there connections you currently have - either with others, yourself, or your world - that don't feel nurturing or supportive? If so, how could you minimize the amount of energy that you put into those connections?

And, is there at least one area of your life that could be improved by fostering a deeper connection to yourself, others, or the world around you? If so, then what's one small step you can take today to develop that deeper connection?

Tip 7: Listen to Your Body

"The body is a great machine and it knows how to take care of itself. I think more often than not the things we do to our skin, or our bodies, can hold it back from doing its proper job." —Julia Roberts

The phrase "listen to your body" isn't one that a lot of GenX'ers are comfortable with or embrace.

I get it . . . listening to your body wasn't something we were encouraged to do growing up. It's no wonder that many of us are disconnected from the wisdom, knowledge, and insight that lives in our bodies.

Recent estimates believe that our human bodies have around 30 trillion cells and 38 trillion bacteria. Our brains have an estimated 100 billion neurons. And we have 20,000 to 25,000 genes containing information that we've inherited from several generations of ancestors.

Do you think that all of those neurons, cells, bacteria, and genes are static and just hanging out doing nothing? Hell no!

These are active little suckers, firing and wiring, connecting, turning on/off, and transmitting information every mili-second.

Your body - not just your brain - is a vast resource of information that you pick up from your environment and that you've inherited from past generations.

Maybe it's time to listen to some of that information. To feel into the vast array of vibrations, twinges, tingles, waves, etc. that you experience.

Listening to your body is a skill that can be developed. So if it seems difficult or if you tune into your body and hear or feel "nothing," that's ok! (Remember Tip #3). 

The skill of listening to our bodies allows us to know when we're pushing too hard, when we need movement, whether we really want that extra slice of cake, and what decision feels most aligned in any given moment.

Tip 8: Know and Live Your Values

"Living into our values means that we do more than profess our values, we practice them. We walk our talk - we are clear about what we believe and hold important, and we take care that our intentions, words, thoughts, and behaviors align with those beliefs." —Brene Brown

GenX'ers talk a good game about what really matters (or doesn't matter) to them.

"I don't give a f–ck what anyone thinks about me."

"I love my 70s/80s nostalgia."

"I want to save $2 million for retirement."

Nothing wrong with any of those. And . . . do you know what deeply drives you? Or better yet, have you taken the time to more intentionally choose - for yourself - what you want to drive you?

Most GenX'ers have spent the last 20 or so decades checking the boxes of what we've thought or been told was important, without taking time to question whether those things are deeply important to us.

For a generation that prides itself on being rebellious free-spirts, that seems antithetical, doesn't it?

If you really want to be a rebel with a "f-ck it" attitude, then start prioritizing your own values - not other people's.

My life didn't take the track that I feel aligned with until I got real about what my truest, deepest values are.

What's one tip that you want to implement this year as you make another trip around the sun? 

Michele L. Walter is a Certified Professional Coach, Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, and owner of Life From The Summit, Mindfulness and Coaching. She writes about topics that speak to the forgotten GenX'ers who are facing a myriad of transitions at this stage of life. Michele is passionate about guiding these lost and restless 40/50-year-olds through these transitions to more peace, freedom, and badassery. If you like this article, please consider sharing it or even supporting Michele's work by buying her a coffee. And come join the Life From The Summit journey to receive weekly insights, resources, and tips.