What Gen X Wishes They Knew In Their 20s And Why Gen Z Needs To Hear It

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Twenties are likely a time of figuring things out, sometimes with more bumps along the way than you expect. But what if you could get a glimpse of advice from someone who's walked that path before? Someone who's learned from the mistakes and triumphs and now wishes they could share those lessons with their younger self. That's exactly what a Gen X woman did on social media sharing valuable insights that could change the way Gen Z approaches life.

Photo Credit: Instagram

Gen X Viral Advice For Gen Z

In the sunny, retro-cool vibe of Palm Springs, Meghan Smith runs Melody Note Vintage, a store with just as much character as its owner. But it's not just her vintage treasures turning heads, her life advice is making waves, too. In December 2022, Meghan, known as @melodynotevintage on TikTok, shared a video that now has over 13 million views, packed with the wisdom she wishes someone had shared with her in her twenties.

The video hashtagged #GenX advice for #GenZ and late #millennials began as advice for her partner's daughters and has since struck a chord far beyond her family. Smith explained that she originally created her list for her partner's daughters, hoping to "save them a little bit of headache and a little bit of heartache."

"This is for anybody that is in their twenties, maybe late teens, very early thirties," she said, "and this is every single thing that I wish somebody told me when I was in my twenties." If you're fumbling through the quarter-life chaos or even beyond, it might just be the perspective shift you've been waiting for.

Here is the list of her pearls of wisdom.

Perfection Is Overrated

"You are good-looking, and you will never be more good-looking than you are today," Smith said that this is what she would say while going through her photos in her twenties. "So enjoy every day." She added. She pointed out that she lost count on how many times she admired her own photos.

"And I thought I was so ugly, so fat, so unlovably weird-looking." Smith exerts that one is not so and they should live their life. And in order to do that, she advises them this, "put your phone down once in a while" because there is life beyond the phone screen.

Don't Change For Anybody

"The right person is not going to love you any less for being yourself," Smith said. "Also, the right person is not gonna love you less for 5 or 10 pounds, OK? Trust me on that one."

Don't Worry About Making Mistakes

"Usually people are too self-involved to notice if you made a mistake," Smith says. One of the key lessons you learn with age is that the spotlight you think everyone has on you is usually just a figment of your imagination!

More importantly, it's through our mistakes that we figure out how to avoid repeating them. Smith's advice? Don't take it too seriously-"laugh at yourself" and remember to "stay humble." It's all part of growing.

You End Up Dating The People That You Think That You Deserve

"And usually, you deserve better," Smith added. The truth is, this lesson is one you'll carry with you, even if you end up single. Whether you're in a relationship or not, life keeps going, and you'll keep evolving.

Don't Dwell On The Problems That You Have, But Don't Ignore Them Either

As Smith wisely put it, "Just remember that what is paramount today is a footnote tomorrow." Acknowledge your problems without letting them consume you.

Photo Credit: Instagram

These are just a few more of Smith's valuable pieces of advice. She also says "Go see bands like it's your job," and "always wear your sunscreen", encouraging you to live fully. And also advises not to stay in a relationship simply because you don't want to hurt the other person, .

"If somebody shows you their true colors, believe them," she adds, reminding you to trust actions over words. Cringing at your past? It's all part of life, she notes, and feel good, smell good as she advises to no to be afraid to splurge on that expensive perfume or cologne. On a more practical note, she advises, "Know who's on your side and who you can ask for help," and "Don't smoke."

She stresses the importance of not spending longer than a year with the wrong person and finding your own style without stressing over the small stuff. Above all, good manners don't go out of style, and to truly succeed, you need to "do the work that it takes to be really good at something." And, of course, she reminds us that "your happiness is more important than other people's disappointment."