I’m part of the vanguard—one of the first baby boomers about to cross the 80-year milestone in January 2026. Right now, I’m a 79-year-old happy, reasonably healthy woman, riding the wave of a generation that once thought 30 was old. Turns out, old is just a moving target.

There were once 76 million of us born between 1946 and 1964. The youngest are now 63; the rest of us are moving through our 70s, with a few leading the charge toward 80. We’ve seen the headlines shift from “10,000 boomers turn 50 every day” to “2,000 boomers die every day.” Gulp. That one hits a little different when you’re closer to the finish line than the starting gate.

We’re still the wealthiest generation in U.S. history—holding more than half of the nation’s wealth, with an average net worth of $1.2 million. But we’ve also become the most studied, marketed-to, and misunderstood generation in history. We were raised in the afterglow of WWII, raised our own families during times of dramatic cultural shifts, and now, we’re navigating aging in a world obsessed with youth.

Who We Were
We were the Pepsi Generation, the Woodstock Nation, the ones who screamed for the Beatles and slow-danced to the Supremes. We were glued to black-and-white TVs watching Walter Cronkite report on the moon landing and the tragedies of Vietnam. We remember the sound of a needle on vinyl and the power of protest.

We were the first to grow up with television—Ozzie and Harriet, the Mickey Mouse Club, American Bandstand. We went from hippie vans to minivans to Medicare. We clashed with our parents over hair length and hemlines. We were the generation of “sex, drugs, and rock and roll.” We pushed boundaries, fought for civil rights and women’s rights, and learned to question authority—sometimes while wearing bell-bottoms and peace signs.

We shaped a culture, influenced politics, and built careers during a time when anything seemed possible.

Who We Are Now
We’re downsizing, caregiving, some of us still caregiven. We’re navigating a healthcare system we now depend on, bracing for expenses we never quite anticipated. We’re moving into senior living facilities or updating homes to age in place.
We’re watching our friends—and ourselves—face chronic conditions, loss, grief, and mobility challenges. But we’re also walking, volunteering, mentoring, creating, and continuing to make meaning.
Many of us recoil at the word “retire.” We don’t want to withdraw—we want to contribute, connect, and stay relevant. We don’t want to be shelved. We want to share the wisdom earned from a lifetime of experience.
Yes, some of us now walk with walkers, but our memories still dance in the mud at Woodstock. We’ve lived through eras that reshaped the world. And we’re not done yet.

Five Lessons for the Boomers Coming Up Behind Me

1. Stay Curious, Not Critical The world is changing fast, and it’s easy to fall into the “back in my day” trap. But curiosity keeps us young. Ask questions. Try new things. Learn from the generations behind you.
2. Let Go of What No Longer Serves You Grudges, outdated beliefs, clutter—emotional and physical. Let them go. You don’t need to carry it all to the finish line. Travel light.
3. Laugh Often—Especially at Yourself Aging comes with indignities. Chin hairs grow overnight. Knees creak. Tech baffles. Laughing eases the sting. Humor is a powerful form of resilience.
4. Don’t Wait to Be Asked—Offer Your Wisdom Your stories, mistakes, and life lessons are valuable. Share them. Mentor someone. Write things down. Be the elder you once needed.
5. Purpose Doesn’t Retire You still matter. You still have something to contribute. Find a reason to get up in the morning—whether it’s a cause, a hobby, a grandchild, or just feeding the birds. A life with purpose is a life well-lived.

As I prepare to celebrate this milestone, I’m not mourning what’s lost—I’m honoring what’s been lived. From Woodstock to walkers, it’s been one hell of a ride. And the music’s not over yet.

To my fellow boomers: keep dancing, keep dreaming, and keep daring. We’re not just aging—we’re evolving.