Gen X- The Exhausted Generation
If you were born between 1965 and 1980 then you are one of the Gen X generations. For women in this time, they have also been deemed "the exhausted generation".
It feels like an apt description for Gen X, especially given the unique pressures they face. A lot of it stems from this constant balancing act—being the first to navigate a world where both technology and work expectations were rapidly evolving, and often without the same kind of support or recognition.
Gen Xers were promised a lot of things by society—successful careers, fulfilling family lives and economic prosperity. But many feel like they were given a set of expectations that didn’t fully align with the opportunities available to them.
As the "sandwich generation," Gen X often ends up caring for both kids and aging parents. This role isn’t always talked about, but it creates a lot of emotional, mental, and physical strain. They're juggling multiple generations of needs at once—while also trying to manage their own life and career.
On top of the physical exhaustion, there’s also a sense of emotional fatigue. Gen X is often expected to keep things together for everyone else, even if they're struggling too.
It’s a kind of invisible fatigue—where the toll is more about the cumulative weight of constant change, high expectations, and the need to constantly adapt.
Research published in 2022 showed that Gen X women on average are 80% more likely to suffer with metabolic diseases. This is compared to baby boomers of the same age.
The research also shows that over 88% of Gen X women are more likely to visit an alternative practitioner. Over 95% for fatigue.
Fatigue and especially chronic fatigue, impact on your mitochondria. The mitochondria are the powerhouses inside your cells that help to make energy (ATP). This is also the site of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). ROS are oxidative products that are needed for molecule signalling. But when we make to much ROS the mitochondria are overwhelmed and cannot mop them all up. As our cells age the mitochondria are less able to deal with this excess.
In summary, mitochondria are increasingly recognised not only as energy suppliers but as crucial players in the development of chronic and age-related diseases, which are closely linked to an imbalance between energy supply and demand.
These chronic diseases can be:
· Cardiovascular Disease
· Metabolic Disease
· Neurodegenerative Disease
· Inflammation
· Chronic viral conditions.
Some reasons this exhaustion stands out:
Chronic Caregiving: with both aging parents and kids still at home.
Economic Pressures: Many Gen Xers were entering the workforce during or right after the 1980s recession, and they’ve seen some of the most volatile job markets.
Work-Life Balance Struggles: Unlike Boomers, who were often raised with the idea of putting in long hours at work to get ahead, many Gen Xers came into a world where work-life balance was more of an ideal than a reality. They’re often expected to be always "on," with emails, texts, and work creeping into personal time.
Emotional Exhaustion: They may have been raised with a sense of independence that means they’re less likely to ask for help or show vulnerability, adding an emotional toll that doesn’t always get addressed.
When I first read about the struggles of Gen X women, it resonated with me immediately. As a Gen Xer myself, I've spent the last 12 years juggling the demands of raising kids at home while also caring for my aging parents, who lived in a granny flat on my property. For the last 4 years, I was their full-time caregiver. I’ve experienced firsthand what it’s like to feel ‘sandwiched’ between two generations, both needing my attention and energy.
The toll of chronic fatigue on my health has been undeniable. Not only have I gained weight, but my thyroid has also deteriorated, and I struggle to maintain the physical fitness I once had. It has been a constant battle, both mentally and physically, as I tried to keep up with the demands of caregiving while managing my own health.
This year, however, I am no longer a full-time caregiver, and I’ve finally reached a point where I can focus on my own well-being. It’s time to prioritize my health and start reclaiming the energy I lost over the years.