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People often talk about baby boomers, millennials, and Gen Z, seemingly overlooking an entire generation sandwiched between them. Gen X, otherwise (and aptly) known as the “Forgotten Generation,” is the generation born between 1965 and 1980. 

These folks are also referred to as “latchkey kids” who spent their carefree childhood years enjoying Saturday morning cartoons and had MTV as their cultural beacon as they approached adolescence and early adulthood. 

If you identify as a Gen Xer, the following memes and images will likely resonate with you. Scroll through for your dose of nostalgia.

#1

I Don’t Think I Have Ever Felt So Personally Attacked By A Meme As This One:

Text post about Gen Xers relating to starting to respond to a post but not caring enough to finish, nostalgic relatable Gen X content.

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Bi.Felicia
Community Member
Premium
1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More times than I care to admit and I'm not even

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    #3

    Good Advice Then, Now, And Forever

    Collage of nostalgic and relatable Gen X icons promoting kindness and reading, reflecting nostalgic Gen X posts and culture.

    nerd_of_gods Report

    There are many stereotypes associated with Gen X. Environics Research classified them into five sub-groups: Thrill-seeking materialists, detached conformists, social hedonists, inclusive idealists, autonomous minimalists, and security-seeking ascetics.

    #4

    I’ll Tell Ya What

    Cartoon character frustrated about saving files on computer, highlighting relatable Gen X nostalgia and back pain humor.

    StacyLadle Report

    Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Saving to the cloud annoys me, I want stuff on my hard drive, I do not want it all online being used as material for AI.

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    #5

    This Is Where It’s Headed, I Swear…

    List of things no longer interesting to Gen X including driving at night, leaving the house in winter, and other relatable nostalgic posts.

    [deleted] Report

    Gail Lott
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm GenX and I support this message

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    A more accurate description of who they are comes from Dr. Nassir Ghaemi, a psychiatrist, researcher, and educator at Tufts Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. 

    “Coming after the hippies, we rejected their rejection of the status quo, but we had lost our faith in it too,” wrote Dr. Ghaemi, who grew up in the ‘70s in McLean, Virginia. “We were unmotivated, unmoored, and unconcerned. The Cold War chugged along, and we had lost the passion to keep fighting it, but we had no better alternative.”

    #7

    How Everyone Else Thinks The 80s Looked Like vs. Reality

    Split image comparing a colorful 80s neon-inspired bedroom and a wood-paneled living room, evoking Gen X nostalgia.

    fart-debris Report

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    #8

    Anyone Remember The Metal Lid You Had To Use A Butter Knife To Pop Off?

    Vintage Nestle Quik chocolate flavor container held by hand on green countertop, nostalgic Gen X product image.

    CarlSpackler-420-69 Report

    #9

    Had To Share This!

    Gen X relatable post saying parents still don’t know where they are with a message to stay feral.

    Clear_Insect_1887 Report

    Pollywog
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Streetlights came on.... I'm inside!! 😉

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    In his article, Dr. Ghaemi pointed out that Gen X seemed to have taken a back seat as older millennials came of age at the dawn of social media and smartphones. He noted that a “generational disconnect” regarding technology also occurred during this era, leaving Gen X stuck in the middle. 

    “Our teachers are unknown to history: They had no celebrity and are not found on the internet; they were simple, unassuming people who embodied the best of their generations,” Dr. Ghaemi wrote. 

    #10

    I Think We Can All Relate

    Phil Collins performing on stage with text about Gen X nostalgia, grunge, hip hop, and relatable posts.

    blade944 Report

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    #12

    The Fifth Element Foretold The Rise Of The Influencer

    Close-up of a man with a unique blonde hairstyle and leopard print coat, evoking nostalgic Gen X cultural vibes.

    69hornedscorpio Report

    According to Dr. Ghaemi, being sandwiched between boomers and millennials gave Gen X a unique perspective on societal issues. As he stated, “We don’t have a program or strategy for the world. At least not yet.”

    #13

    Some Of You Will Remember

    Cartoon pen and cassette tape with faces lying in bed, representing nostalgic and relatable Gen X humor.

    jjax0311 Report

    Katie Bear
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just had an insane fit of giggles from this

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    #15

    I Loved These Koala Clips

    Small vintage plush koala toy sitting with arms wrapped around knees, evoking nostalgic and relatable Gen X memories.

    Charibdes1206 Report

    “We see the problems more clearly than our predecessors and our successors. We may not have a treatment, but at least we can diagnose,” Dr. Ghaemi continued. 

    “If we can find a way to articulate our insights, the only question left would be whether the generations around us are willing to listen.”

    #16

    Anyone Play These Before?

    Four vintage glass marbles with colorful swirls, illustrating nostalgic and relatable Gen X childhood toys.

    Hazys Report

    ttirreg
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aah good times, mine got a second life when i got my first slingshot.

    Bored Jellyfish
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is this not a thing any more?!

    dan gerene
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They require a little skill and more mechanical manipulation than thumbs on a touch screen. So no.

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    Oskar vanZandt
    Community Member
    10 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I also had fancy white ones with swirls and opalescent plain ones...

    UKGrandad
    Community Member
    16 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is a field close to me that was once the site of a village school that was demolished sometime before WWI. I often see pottery sherds (not shards - they're glass) in the molehills but very occasionally a marble gets turned up in the soil. A few of them are very old and made from hand-blown (as opposed to machine-made) glass, and are quite sought after by collectors.

    G A
    Community Member
    14 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Are they the ones that were bottle stoppers?

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    Kris
    Community Member
    13 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I collected mine in a turquise f***y pack.

    AuntT
    Community Member
    11 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Remember the sound, and feeling, when I hold some of them in my hand. Good memories

    OdetteB
    Community Member
    11 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Every break and lunch time at school. For keepsies.

    Littlemiss
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Miggles or cat eyes? I can't remember.

    Beth Wheeler
    Community Member
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who didn't have marbles when they were kids?

    Rebecca Jack
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I lost my marbles right around the time I had children.

    dan gerene
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The years that start with 19 are not the 19th century.

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    #17

    When Someone Paid By Credit Card, We Had To Drag Out This

    Vintage gaming console component on a white surface, evoking nostalgic and relatable Gen X memories.

    Ebonystealth Report

    to old to care
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey, when the store lost power - you were really happy to have this.

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    #18

    Does Anyone Else Still Do This?

    Hands using scissors to cut a plastic six-pack ring, nostalgic and relatable Gen X lifestyle moment in a living room.

    calrammer Report

    #19

    Sadly Very True

    Tweet about nostalgic Gen X memories involving CDs, pennies, and the changing concept of mail from a modern perspective.

    ThatEricAlper Report

    Bored Jellyfish
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There were so many of these “penny” schemes- record clubs, cassette clubs, all kinds of book clubs (mine was a sci-fi/fantasy book club) where you’d have to return a postcard in time before they sent you the choices of the month (more like every four weeks), and then you’d be on the hook to pay for them when you didn’t notify them in time. And like most kids I knew, we all defaulted on it eventually.

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    #20

    This Felt Like The Pinnacle Of Technology

    Screenshot of classic Winamp media player with playlist and equalizer, evoking nostalgic Gen X memories.

    d2r_freak Report

    #21

    The Single Reason Genx Didn't Become A Hoard Of Psychopaths

    Smiling Mr. Rogers in a red cardigan with a nostalgic quote, relatable to Gen X and their shared memories.

    PinkOutLoud Report

    Peter Bear
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Credit also due to the other PBS shows that shaped us; LeVar Burton taught us to read voraciously, Sesame Street taught us diversity and care for others, 3-2-1 Contact instilled a respect for science. That's why we are the truly greatest generation. Bring back PBS funding, because we need it now more than ever. And if Fred Rogers were still alive, you know he'd go before Congress again to say the same thing.

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    #22

    At First I Laughed. But Then It Really Got Me Thinking

    Man in a brown suit waiting in a field, representing relatable Gen X nostalgia and back pain humor.

    Roy4Pris Report

    Zig Zag Wanderer
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most of it is stifled by the music industrial complex. More indie platforms are needed.

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    #23

    Sad But True

    Cartoon of a bearded man relaxing with a drink by the fire, reflecting on nostalgia and Gen X relatable moments.

    EdwardBliss Report

    Glen Ellyn
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Precisely my objective, too.

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    #24

    40 Is The New 65

    Bert from Sesame Street lying in bed looking tired, with nostalgic Gen X relatable humor about retirement age.

    EdwardBliss Report

    kfox
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And rubber duckie really *is* the one... *sigh*

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    #25

    Good Times …

    Stack of nostalgic 1991 cassette tapes from Metallica, Pearl Jam, Guns N' Roses, and Nirvana for Gen X music fans.

    genXrating Report

    Lunar Rat
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh yes, and I had all of them. What a year for music!

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    #26

    What Would Some Of Our Disproven Facts Be?

    Website idea for Gen X: input high school graduation year to get outdated facts and concepts once taught but now disproven.

    [deleted] Report

    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pluto is still a planet to me. I'll fight over this.

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    #27

    Saw This On Fb (Not Mine). Love Y'all!

    Tweet from Amy sharing a nostalgic and relatable post about Gen X reading Stephen King books too young.

    DestinyRamen Report

    Peter Bear
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably right. But we were also raised on Bob Ross and Mr. Rogers, and Sesame Street before it became the Elmo Show, so that also explains a lot about us.

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    #28

    What's Your Favorite Genisis Or Phil Collins Jam?

    Text post about Phil Collins' music popularity from 1983 to 1991, relatable nostalgic post for Gen X audience.

    Ralph--Hinkley Report

    #29

    One Of The Funniest Movies Ever Made?

    Two men in vintage clothing, one with a cowboy hat, from a nostalgic and relatable Gen X post meme.

    JoeTModelY Report

    Multa Nocte (she/her/86 47)
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "What did you expect? "Welcome, sonny"? "Make yourself at home"? "Marry my daughter"? You've got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know... morons."

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    #30

    Endless Fun With This

    Vintage toy car service center playset with ramps and retro gas station signs, evoking nostalgic Gen X memories.

    EdwardBliss Report

    Happy Onion
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OMG, I completely and utterly loved this thing!

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    #31

    Anyone Remember This?

    Retro dial scale shown in a nostalgic Gen X post highlighting relatable vintage items from past decades.

    Hazys Report

    JL
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who else had the simulated wood label tape?

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    #32

    How Many Of You Grew Up With One Of These In Your House?

    Vintage anniversary clock with gold accents and glass dome, evoking nostalgic and relatable Gen X memories.

    RidiculousDear Report

    Khavrinen
    Community Member
    17 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had one of these, and also a "digital" clock that kept time by rolling shiny ball bearings down ramps. ( Google "Arrow Ball Clock" for an example.)

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    #33

    Robin Hood Movies Of The 90s

    Screenshot of a nostalgic Gen X post referencing Bryan Adams and the Robin Hood soundtrack from 1991.

    jamiedc78 Report

    Doodles1983
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mum's second wedding song. And played at her 2013 funeral.

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    #34

    Anyone Have One Of These Swing Sets?

    Kids playing on a vintage backyard swing set, evoking nostalgic and relatable memories for Gen X.

    Few-Landscape7964 Report

    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Of course, the higher you swung the more the legs lifted off the ground, threatening to tip the entire swingset over.

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    #35

    It's Not Going To Happen, But I Can Dream

    Close-up of an older person's hands clipping toenails, illustrating relatable Gen X nostalgia and everyday challenges.

    [deleted] Report

    #36

    “Bobcat” Goldthwait & Tim Kazurinsky Then And Now

    Side-by-side photos showing nostalgic Gen X friends, one younger in costume and one older with glasses, smiling together.

    [deleted] Report

    Nik Odongray
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I once stood behind Bobcat Goldthwait and Robin Williams on an escalator.

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    #37

    The Struggle Was Real

    Various vintage computer ports and connectors displayed with labels, evoking nostalgic and relatable Gen X tech memories.

    boybrian Report

    Ryan Mercer
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Good luck plugging in that PS/2 behind the tower where you can't see it. You feel the port. You feel the plug. They're both round. You just have to rotate to the right spot, right? WRONG! You have pull out the whole dang tower and turn it around so you can see it. This is a known quantum effect.

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    #38

    How Costume Stores Think We Dressed In The 80’s, I’m Here For It Though

    Woman dressed in neon 80s fashion holding a light-up boombox, embodying nostalgic and relatable Gen X style.

    Christy-Cooking Report

    Rick Murray
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope. All the neon stuff is the same colour. To be authentic, green top, pink socks, yellow shoes (or whatever, but different colours). Experience? My next door neighbour actually did dress like this.

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    #39

    Remember When We Wore Baby Tees Under Our Sundresses? Early 90’s Here, The Scrunchie Was A Must Have Too

    Young woman with curly hair smiling in a vintage bedroom, standing near ironing board and dresser, evoking nostalgic Gen X vibes.

    Christy-Cooking Report

    Becky Samuel
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    With Doc Martens and one of those woven black plastic chokers.

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    #40

    This Kid Had A Pretty Good Christmas

    Vintage Kmart salescheck receipt from 1981 listing nostalgic items, evoking relatable Gen X memories and nostalgia.

    EdwardBliss Report

    Peeka_Mimi
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My dad got us an Atari and played it himself. The only time we could play is when he wasn't home.

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    #43

    I Find This To Be Very Relatable

    Colorful cartoon zebra with a humorous caption about tolerance, illustrating nostalgic and relatable posts for Gen X audiences.

    Chipazzo Report

    #44

    The Official Lawn Chair Of The 80s

    Yellow and white woven lawn chair on colorful foam mats next to grass, evoking nostalgic Gen X outdoor memories.

    EdwardBliss Report

    Bored Jellyfish
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Zoom in… see those ratcheting hinges sticking up? I still have a scar on my leg from one of those.

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    #46

    I’ll Always Remember The 8 On The Bald Dude 🤣

    Collage of nostalgic Sesame Street Mad Painter character holding numbers, evoking relatable Gen X memories and humor.

    Missouri-man68 Report

    #47

    The Good Ol' Days

    Old Sears store sign with nostalgic concert ticket from 1987, evoking relatable Gen X memories and back pain humor.

    Suspicious_Bar9995 Report

    #48

    The Sit 'N Spin (1977) Because For Some Reason Our Parents Wanted Us To Know What Nausea Felt Like

    Vintage Sit'n Spin toy packaging from the 1980s, a nostalgic and relatable item for Gen X childhood memories.

    resirch2 Report

    Pollywog
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This or the merry go around at the playground!!!

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    #49

    Anyone Else Feel This Way?

    Text post about Gen X reading fast, asking Millennials and Gen Z to send articles instead of TikTok videos, referencing nostalgic pop culture.

    scarlettohara1936 Report

    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Deja vu? Nah, it's just a repeat of the very first post in this thread.

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    #50

    My 80yr Old Parents Gave Me A Bday Party Just Like It Was The 1970s

    Slice of cheese pizza on a vintage plate with a nostalgic chocolate milk bottle and handwritten note on wooden table.

    micheleferlisi Report

    Pheebs
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can taste this picture. I think I just cut my tongue on a memory.

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    Note: this post originally had 79 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.