Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millenials – you’ve heard them all. But there’s a new take on the generations. This term encompasses a more positive spin on the people of today. So what is a “perennial?” This has nothing to do with the plant or any particular age group. This is a new term for people of all ages who are aware of themselves and the state of the world. They “stay curious, mentor others, are passionate, and confident.” (via TheWhat) And, above all, regardless of the generation they were born into, they stay current.
Just last month, my editorial team attended the BlogHer17 conference in Orlando, FL. The gathering showcased some of the greatest keynote speakers from all industries (including my friend Serena Williams). Among the speakers was Gina Pell, co-creator of TheWhat List and self-proclaimed “Perennial #1.” As she addressed the crowd at the large conference, Gina asked attendees to, “Instead of thinking about what you’re going to do next, think about what makes you curious. And then follow that.”
New Term to Know: The Perennial Generation
For many who can’t identify with a particular generation – especially those born between the Gen X-ers and the Millennials – ‘Perennial’ is a welcome term. It describes the way many think about society as a whole today. These individuals are curious, concerned for social causes, and want to explore more than the norm.
As Gina Pell wrote in her wildly popular Medium article, “We are ever-blooming, relevant people of all ages who live in the present time, know what’s happening in the world, stay current with technology, and have friends of all ages.”
The Movement:
So who are the Perennials? Search the hashtag on Instagram (#theperennials) and you’ll see a myriad of individuals who are happy to wear the title. They are of all ages, interests, races, and genders. But they all have that creative inclination and curious nature in common. And that’s a very powerful thing.
Gina Pell’s essay wraps with a poignant call to action: “It’s time we chose our own category based on shared values and passions and break out of the faux constructs behind an age-based system of classification.” I couldn’t agree more.
What’s your take on the “Perennial” movement? Sound off in the comments.
