In an effort to assign some sort of logic to evolving cultural shifts, the sociological powers that be have organized generations into roughly 15 year chunks based on year of birth, the premise being that common life experiences and social landmarks create comparable characteristics within these groups.

Photo: consultancy.uk
Photo: consultancy.uk

While this might be an effective means of differentiating cohorts, there are always outliers straddling the cusp between one generation and the next. If, like me, you were born roughly between 1979-1981, the purveyors of generation labeling have you awkwardly straddled between Generation X and Y (millennials) but chances are, you don’t fully resonate with either group.

As an X’er, you are independent and responsible with a healthy dose of skeptical optimism, while your millennial side is achievement oriented and optimistic with a high need to make your mark on the world. You are a cusp millennial – a slightly jaded, idealistic adult-ish type character.

If you fall close to the line between Generation X and Millennial, here are 35 things you will recognize as truth:

1. Bert and Ernie were your babysitters.

Photo: natethegreat27.tumblr.com
Photo: natethegreat27.tumblr.com

2. Through a series of catchy tunes on Schoolhouse Rock, you were duped into learning all about civics and government.

3. Ordering books from this catalogue was the highlight of your kindergarten life. What you know about them Berenstain Bears?

Photo: schoolforgoodandevil.com
Photo: schoolforgoodandevil.com

4. You learned the art of sarcasm from the Godmother herself, Sophia Petrillo.

Photo: mtv.com
Photo: mtv.com

5. You know the noise a virtual dying duck makes when it plummets to the ground. You just made that sound in your head, didn’t you? #DuckHunt

Photo: pioneersettler.com
Photo: pioneersettler.com

6. They couldn’t tell you nothin’ when you got old enough for your first Trapper Keeper.

Photo: mentalfloss.com
Photo: mentalfloss.com

7. At some point in your childhood, you and your cousins participated in a loose re-enactment of this performance from The Cosby Show.

Photo: imdb.com
Photo: imdb.com

8. You had no idea the meaning of the words organic and gluten free. Let me get that high fructose, please.

Photo: youtube.com
Photo: youtube.com

9. Quick! What’s the building number for this apartment stoop?

Photo: fashionthatpays.wordpress.com
Photo: fashionthatpays.wordpress.com

10. You recognize this as a pound sign.

Photo: vaiolabs.com
Photo: vaiolabs.com

 

11. You wanted a love like Dwayne and Whitley when you grew up.

a different world kiss computer mistake adw
Photo: tumblr

12. You prefer the original running man and owned at least one pair of hammer pants.

Photo: agentmlovestacos
Photo: agentmlovestacos

13. Whoever sold $13.5 million dollars worth of candy for the school fundraiser won this phone and a neon slinky.

Photo: ebay.co.uk
Photo: ebay.co.uk

14. You swore you were an honorary member of Arsenio’s dog pound.

PhotoL ww2kqed.org
PhotoL ww2kqed.org

15. You and your girls choreographed full Sydney-and-Sharane-style dance routines before hitting the skating rink.

film dance party house party kid n play
Photo: warnerbrosentertainment.tumblr.com

16. Your preteen obsession in three words — The Real World.

“This is the true story of seven strangers picked to live in a loft  and have their lives taped to find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real.”

17. Multi colored banana clips and scrunchies…that’s law.

Photo: madamenoir.com
Photo: madamenoir.com

18. The depth of your love for Kriss Kross was so sincere.

Photo: blog.giphy.com
Photo: blog.giphy.com

19. At this very moment, you have at least one full CD book stashed away somewhere at your parents’ house.

Photo: the-mainboard.com
Photo: the-mainboard.com

20. You recognize this as the Snapple Lady.

Photo: blog.aarp.org
Photo: blog.aarp.org

21. Ananda Lewis, Carson Daly, AJ and Free were cool older siblings in your head. #TRL #106andPark

Photo: tumblr.com
Photo: tumblr.com

22. If it didn’t have a full storyline, a slow motion montage and soap opera level melodramatics, could you really call it an R&B video? I think not. Wanya stay crying though…

music 90s 1990s 90s music boyz ii men
Photo: tumblr

23. There was that one dude in your class who took the East Coast vs. West Coast beef super personally even if he was a tween from neither coast.

Photo: theodysseyonline.com
Photo: theodysseyonline

24. You felt like a bad ass the first time you downloaded free music from Napster.

Photo: hypebot.com
Photo: hypebot.com

25. To this day, your twerk reflex involuntarily activates when you hear, “Cash money records taking over for the ’99 and the 2000”

Photo: makeagif.com

26. Cita will forever be your girl!

Photo: youtube.com

27. You’ve gone to an actual library or campus computer lab to check your email, CollegeClub or Myspace account.

Photo: underconsideration.com
Photo: underconsideration.com

28. Your first experience voting in a presidential election was corrupted by the Bush/Gore election scandal.

Photo: tampabay.com
Photo: tampabay.com

29. You remember exactly where you were and who you were with on 9/11.

Photo: wilx.com
Photo: wilx.com

30. The country was in chaos as you entered adulthood and Dave Chappelle was our comic relief.

confused cricket dave chappelle crickets chappelle's show
Photo: giphy.com

31. Mos Def, Andre 3000, Common, Black Thought or Talib Kweli…at least one of these conscious rappers is in your #TopFive

Photo: giphy

32. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was a pivotal moment in solidifying your wokeness. Yo, did they just refer to these Americans as refugees?

Photo: slate.com
Photo: slate.com

33. You prefer texting, but you will check your voicemail and return phone calls.

Photo: bustle.com
Photo: bustle.com

34. It kind of blows your mind that people make a living giving makeup tutorials on YouTube.

The Late Late Show with James Corden confused shocked tituss burgess woah
Photo: The Late Late Show with James Corden

35. Exclusive footage of you right now, after reading this list.

The Simpsons praise testify bart simpson happy
Photo: simpsonsworld.com

If this rings true for you, welcome home, fam. You’re hereby knighted a ‘MilleniXer.’ With the likes of Kevin Hart, Beyoncé, Jesse Williams and Alicia Keys in our ranks, we are grown, conscientious and unapologetically lit!

beyonce lemonade beyonce lemonade
Photo: giphy

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