What do you do at your current age that might surprise people who assume it's for someone older or younger? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
I’ve had someone tell me I’m childish for my age. I’ve also had someone say I have an old soul. Both times, it was meant to be an insult. And I took it that way.
Now, though, comments like those don’t faze me. Why? Well, sometimes I do things some consider “too young” for my age. Other times, I do stuff they would say is way too mature. As an older millennial, I’m fine not fitting into a neat little box of expectations based on the generation I was born into.
I’ve learned that’s what’s known as a “Perennial” mindset.
Wait, what’s a perennial?
Gina Pell, a fashion and tech entrepreneur and founder of The What, coined the term in 2015 to describe folks who refuse to be defined by age or generational stereotypes.
Here’s how Pell describes perennials: “We are ever-blooming, curious people of ALL ages who know what’s happening in the world, stay current with technology, and have friends of all ages … Perennials have always understood that age is not a limiting factor. From childhood and beyond, Perennials get involved, stay curious, mentor others, and are passionate, compassionate, creative, confident, collaborative, global-minded, risk-takers who continue to push up against our growing edge and know how to hustle.”
To be clear, perennial is a mindset, not an age group. Millennials can be perennials, as can Gen X, Boomers, Gen Z, or anyone else.
According to Pell, “It’s time we chose our own category based on shared values and passions and break out of the faux constructs behind an age-based system of classification.”
I agree. Being part of the ageless generation, not stuck in the past and not afraid to embrace what’s new, is a good thing.
Regenerative vs. generational. How the perennial mindset helps you thrive
Just like perennial plants, perennial people keep growing.
Curiosity keeps you sharp. Perennials love learning new things, asking questions, and trying something different. Challenging your mind helps keep your brain healthy. And according to the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, curiosity makes us happier and more attractive to others, which can strengthen social connections and relationships.