Writing Through The Coronavirus Crisis As A Generation X-er

We are all feeling the effects these days from the novel coronavirus sweeping the globe. I read an article recently that stated some writers were experiencing writer’s block by being stuck inside and are learning to deal with prolonged isolation and social distancing. It has been quite the contrary for me. I have actually been able to focus more on my passion for writing now that I have more time on my hands to do so. I think much of what feels like the norm to me is how I grew up in a time of Atari video games, the MTV era, and cable television. I was known as one of the latchkey kids, or the middle-child generation, caught between the baby boomers and younger Millennials, otherwise known as Generation X, who is mainly known for their strong-willed independence.

Being A Generation X-er Has Its Advantages

Generation X is generally accepted to have been born in that gap of time between 1965 and 1980. It’s been said that Gen X-er’s can actually thrive on solitude and enjoy their downtime, due to our extreme tolerance for boredom, which makes us excellent social distancing pros. We spent hours alone in our homes after school, fending for ourselves, living off Twinkies, macaroni and cheese, and microwavable dinners. Social isolation is not only tolerable for us, but Gen X requires a regular dose of it to unwind and recharge. So while most might be flipping out from what will come next, we are soaking up the downtime.

Survival Of The Species

As a generation raised in the age of “Stranger Danger” and “Just Say No,” our appetite for risk is finally being recognized as a great strength and an asset to the survival of the species. For a small and lost generation among many, Gen X-er’s have found their way to a position of power. It is also said that Gen X-er’s, incidentally, are among the most highly educated generation in the U.S. Hey, I won’t argue with statistics. After all, we are survivalists.

Being A Writer As A Gen X-er

Gen X-er’s have been called many things, but what makes them different is the ability to feel comfortable at a time when others may be fearing these trying times. They are independent, resourceful, and self-sufficient. They value freedom and responsibility in the workplace. Many in this generation display a total disdain for authority and structured work hours. They dislike being micro-managed and embrace a hands-off management philosophy. This could very well be one of the many reasons why I thoroughly enjoy the freedom of writing, but also may help explain the level of comfort I feel while writing through a time of crisis.

Books on Generation X

Want to know more about this “sandwich generation” that makes up 65 million Americans? You can check out a great collection of books on Amazon, such as “Zero Hour For Gen-X” and “X Saves the World.”

Conclusion

When faced with the notion of sheltering in place for a number of weeks with no answers to when our world will return to normal, Generation X knows that we definitely got this. Heck, we’ve been training for this moment all our lives. It is no surprise that the kids who were left to entertain themselves for hours on end are now the adults best equipped to thrive during the coronavirus crisis. After all, a majority of Gen X-er’s grew up self- isolating and staying at home, which was social distancing at its best. For many of us, as we dig in at home and limit our outside interaction during this critical time, we’re telling ourselves we’ve been here before.