8 Things Gen Z Loves That Boomers Would’ve Mocked Growing Up

Generational tastes don’t just evolve—they clash, remix, and redefine what counts as cool. Gen Z has turned a handful of once-mocked behaviors into mainstream culture, often with purpose and flair. These choices aren’t just trends; they’re signals about values like sustainability, mental health, and individuality. Curious which habits would’ve been punchlines in the Boomer era but now shape the zeitgeist? Read on.

1. Thrifting and Secondhand Shopping

Start with the thrill of the hunt: Gen Z combs thrift racks for rare denim, retro tees, and pieces with history. Instead of chasing fast-fashion’s sameness, they champion sustainability, circular economies, and personal storytelling through clothes. Beyond saving money, secondhand shopping feels like activism—reducing waste and rejecting overconsumption. Back in the day, many Boomers linked thrift stores with hardship rather than style. Today, curated vintage hauls on social media turn found items into flex-worthy outfits. Authenticity beats labels; individuality beats seasonality. A faded jacket with a past becomes a conversation starter. And the best part? The look is unique, ethical, and often surprisingly affordable.

2. Therapy and Mental Health Awareness

Meanwhile, Gen Z reframes mental health as hygiene, not a hush-hush crisis. Therapy, journaling, and mindfulness are tools for growth, not last resorts. Online communities share coping strategies, normalize vulnerability, and destigmatize asking for help. Many Boomers grew up in an era where therapy implied something was seriously wrong. Gen Z argues the opposite: preventive care builds resilience and empathy. Apps, teletherapy, and campus resources make access easier and conversations more open. They speak openly about anxiety, depression, neurodiversity, and burnout. In this culture, emotional literacy is a flex, and boundaries are healthy. Healing becomes communal, continuous, and proudly prioritized.

3. Digital Content Creation (Vlogging, Streaming, Influencing)

Next, consider how Gen Z rebranded the internet from pastime to profession. Vlogging, livestreaming, and micro-influencing aren’t just hobbies; they’re creative businesses with analytics, revenue streams, and communities. While some Boomers dismissed this as “goofing off online,” creators now direct, edit, merchandise, and negotiate sponsorships. Authenticity, niche expertise, and parasocial trust drive engagement. Platforms reward agility: short-form edits, interactive chat, and audience feedback loops. Gen Z treats the algorithm like weather—unpredictable, but navigable with craft. The portfolio is public, the resume is a channel, and the studio can be a bedroom. Creativity scales, and opportunity follows clicks.

4. Plant Parenting

Then there’s the green revival: plant parenting as wellness, decor, and daily ritual. Gen Z proudly propagates pothos, names their monstera, and measures light like scientists. What older generations joked about as “babysitting leaves” has become a calming, low-stakes commitment. Care routines offer rhythm in chaotic schedules—watering, pruning, rotating for sun. Social feeds swap pest fixes, soil mixes, and humidity hacks. Apartments feel alive and oxygen-rich, with shelves turned jungles and terracotta lining windowsills. Plants photograph beautifully, signal patience, and tame screen time. Even failures—yellowing leaves, root rot—teach resilience. Growth is visible, incremental, and genuinely grounding.

5. Astrology and Spirituality

Beyond that, astrology resurges as a playful framework for meaning-making. Gen Z blends horoscopes, tarot, crystals, and moon rituals with humor and introspection. While Boomers might label it frivolous, many see it as a low-cost way to reflect and connect. Memes make birth charts accessible; apps turn planetary transits into daily prompts. It’s not about fate so much as language for personality, patterns, and compatibility. Rituals offer structure: journaling at new moons, cleansing crystals, setting intentions. Communities form around cosmic calendars, affirmations, and self-discovery. Skepticism coexists with curiosity—and the vibe is inclusive, imaginative, and surprisingly comforting.

6. Gaming and E-Sports

In parallel, gaming has morphed from pastime to platform. Gen Z treats games as social plazas, competitive arenas, and creative sandboxes. E-sports fill stadiums, scholarships fund players, and publishers run leagues. While Boomers once saw gaming as childish, it now cultivates teamwork, strategy, and media literacy. Streamed matches bring real-time hype, while Discord hosts communities and tournaments. Careers extend beyond pro play: shoutcasting, coaching, production, and game design. The skill ceiling is high, the meta evolves, and collaboration is key. With cross-play and mobile access, participation is broad—and legitimized by sponsorships, viewership, and prize pools.

7. Minimalism and Aesthetic Living

On the home front, Gen Z curates spaces with intention, not excess. Capsule wardrobes, neutral palettes, and functional decor emphasize clarity and calm. Where Boomers prized abundance and practicality, younger buyers value edits, mood, and cohesion. Aesthetic living isn’t only for Instagram; it reduces decision fatigue and consumption. Storage solutions hide clutter, while a few quality pieces anchor rooms. Rituals like Sunday resets, desk setups, and weekly declutters keep energy light. Vibes matter because environment shapes focus, sleep, and creativity. Minimal doesn’t mean empty—it means purposeful, modular, and soothing to the mind.

8. Gender-Neutral Fashion and Self-Expression

Finally, Gen Z treats clothing as canvas and language. Gender-neutral silhouettes, shared closets, and mix-and-match pieces foreground comfort and authenticity. Where strict dress codes once policed identity, fluid styling invites play and acceptance. Streetwear blends with skirts; nail polish meets varsity jackets; jewelry crosses categories. Brands respond with inclusive sizing, unisex lines, and flexible fits. Online communities celebrate experimentation and deconstruct norms without apology. The goal isn’t to shock—it’s to feel right in your skin and signal your story. Fashion becomes a daily act of self-definition, open to anyone willing to try.