Which Type of Baby Boomer Are You?

I don’t know how it happened, but I am learning to listen more and watch with the eye of an observer. What I’ve seen and experienced with my peers during the past few years has been documented in the counseling file in my mind. I have derived that there are three general groups of the middle-aged crowd. That would include approximately those of us 40+ years old.

Which one are you? BE HONEST!

What you reveal, you heal!

The Runners

1. The “Runners.” Runners are the men and women that are STILL searching. I am not sure what they are searching for, however. But they sure do it passionately. Moving from homes, hitting the bars, buying that Corvette… you get it.

They have difficulty relaxing and are interesting to talk to because their mind is spinning with ideas, experiences, and what to do next.

These folks usually look great and work at staying in fashion, are well-read, and up-to-date, even to the point of looking overdone.

To some, they may look manic, hyper, and disconnected from the source. They are out and about to the point of exhaustion; after all, they aren’t 25 or even 35 anymore.

Their Motto:  “One more lap around the gym and a Viagra and I’m good as new.”

My Advice: Like it or not, the clock keeps on ticking and TIME waits for no one. Chill, my brothers and sisters, everyone has an expiration date.

The “Who Cares” Crowd

2. The “Who cares.” The “Who Cares” crowd is happy to be in stretch pants and jogging suits, and that extra 10–15 pounds is just part of the process of aging. They are content with how they look. They would never invest in a facelift or anything as superficial a makeover. After all, they had this hairstyle when they got married in the 80s. If it’s not broke, why fix it now? I’m not sure if they have to compete with the status quo.

And on some strange level, I can understand that... keeping up with the Jones can be exhausting.

But then they look unhealthy, unfit, and are totally lost in what is trending. At a dinner party, they often feel at a loss with strangers because of a lack of conversation starters. If they like to eat, they eat. If they love books about birds, those are the only books they read and they will not apologize for not knowing who Rihanna is.

Their Motto: “Screw it, have another beer!”

My Advice: Pick up a Vogue Magazine. Hit the gym. The days of protesting are over. The only one you are hurting is yourself. Healthy is happy!

The Integrated

3. The “Integrated.” These middle-agers are the minority in terms of people I personally know. They somehow manage to see the big picture and have arrived.

They aren’t fanatical, are quiet in nature, and their presence exudes a peaceful kind of feeling. They don’t need to be right, make a point, or be the leader. They do exercise, keep their noses in the world’s activities, and look healthy, but not overdone. They look their age and are okay with that.

They can stay home and be quiet or go out on the town. They aren’t reclusive, but exclusive. The elusive butterfly has come to stay and they are too filled with bliss to even notice.

Their motto: "Savor each day and die healthy!"

My Advice: Keep it up. You are our role models!

Now, I have to go integrate and keep moving! Have a wonderful day, Baby Boomers.

Love always,