Every generation loves to think they’re the first to do something groundbreaking.
Whether it’s rebelling against traditions, discovering a “new” way of thinking, or setting trends that feel entirely unique, each age group has a habit of believing they’re different from all the ones who came before them. Sadly for them, that’s total rubbish. Most of these behaviours have been around for decades, just repackaged for a new audience. Here are some of the things every generation does while thinking they’re the first to do them.
1. Complaining that the next generation is ruining everything
Every generation reaches a point where they think the younger crowd is making a mess of the world. Whether it’s about music, work ethic, or social norms, older generations always seem convinced that “back in my day” things were better.
The reality is that this cycle has been happening for centuries, over and over again. People in the 1920s thought jazz music was corrupting youth, just like people today complain about TikTok. Every new generation challenges the old ways, and history just repeats itself.
2. Believing they invented rebellion
Every young generation believes they’re the first to push back against outdated rules and shake things up. Whether it’s through fashion, music, or questioning authority, rebellion always feels like a fresh movement. However, if you have a closer look at history, and you’ll see that youth culture has been rebelling for centuries. From rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s to the counterculture movements of the 1960s and punk in the ’80s, pushing boundaries is nothing new.
3. Thinking their slang is totally original
Each generation comes up with its own set of trendy words and phrases that make them feel cool and unique. They laugh at older generations who don’t understand their slang, convinced that they’ve created something totally new.
Of course, most modern slang is just recycled. “Cool,” “groovy,” “lit,” and “vibe” have all been used in different decades. Even newer expressions like “slay” and “no cap” will eventually be replaced—and then revived again in another 20 years.
4. Acting like they discovered mental health awareness
Every younger generation likes to believe they’re the first to prioritise mental health and self-care. While it’s great that these conversations have become more open, the truth is that previous generations also cared about mental health—they just framed it differently.
Therapy, mindfulness, and stress management aren’t new concepts. While younger generations have made mental health a more mainstream topic, older generations found their own ways to cope—just without the buzzwords.
5. Mocking old fashion trends while copying them
Teenagers love to make fun of their parents’ or grandparents’ fashion choices, only to turn around and bring those exact trends back. High-waisted jeans, oversized blazers, chunky sneakers—everything people once laughed at eventually becomes cool again.
It happens with every generation. The ’90s borrowed from the ’70s, the 2010s copied the ’90s, and soon enough, today’s fashion trends will be considered cringeworthy before making a comeback in 20 years.
6. Acting like their music is the best of all time
Every generation believes their music is superior and that everything before it was outdated and everything after it is garbage. The cycle never stops—rock fans mocked hip-hop, hip-hop fans criticised mumble rap, and today’s pop stars will one day be considered “old-school.”
The reality is that music evolves, and every generation finds meaning in different sounds. What’s “real music” to one group is just noise to another, but in the end, it’s all about personal connection.
7. Thinking they’re the first to reject traditional work culture
Each generation eventually reaches a point where they reject the old ways of working. Whether it’s quitting 9-to-5 jobs, prioritizing work-life balance, or ditching corporate careers for creative gigs, people always feel like they’re the first ones to do it.
However, past generations did the same thing in different ways. The ‘60s and ‘70s saw an explosion of self-employment, the ‘90s glorified the startup culture, and remote work has been evolving for decades. The details change, but the mindset doesn’t.
8. Thinking they’re the first to experience political division
Every generation feels like they’re living through the most politically divided time in history. While current events may seem especially intense, past generations have gone through just as much—if not more—political unrest. From civil rights movements to war protests, social revolutions have always sparked major disagreements. The internet has amplified the arguments, but generational political conflicts are nothing new.
9. Acting like they invented minimalist living
Source: Unsplash Decluttering, tiny homes, and “owning less” have become major trends, with younger generations claiming they’ve rejected materialism in favour of experiences.
The thing is, minimalism isn’t a new concept. People in the Great Depression lived with less out of necessity, the hippies of the ‘60s rejected consumerism, and people in the 2010s embraced “KonMari.” The aesthetic might change, but the idea of simplifying life always comes back around.
10. Thinking they’re the first to embrace wellness trends
Source: Unsplash Every generation thinks they’re the first to discover the importance of healthy eating, mindfulness, or natural remedies. Whether it’s superfoods, meditation, or fitness crazes, wellness culture always feels new.
In reality, past generations had their own versions. Yoga has been around for centuries, herbal medicine has been practiced for generations, and every era has its “miracle” diets. Wellness trends come and go, but the pursuit of health is timeless.
11. Criticising older generations for struggling with technology
Young people love to make fun of older generations for not understanding new tech, but they forget that they too will one day be confused by whatever comes next. Just like today’s grandparents struggled with smartphones, future generations will probably laugh at how we use social media.
Technology evolves quickly, and every generation gets left behind at some point. It’s easy to assume you’ll always keep up—until something new comes along that makes you feel ancient.
12. Thinking their struggles are the hardest
It’s common to feel like no one else has ever experienced the challenges your generation is facing. Whether it’s student debt, job instability, or housing prices, every group believes they have it worse than those before them.
While challenges change over time, every generation has faced unique struggles. The important thing is learning from past experiences rather than assuming no one has ever had it as tough as you.
