Boomers Can’t Stand These 12 Soft Phrases Gen-Z Says All The Time
SHVETS production | Canva Amid tension between generations, such as Baby Boomers and their younger counterparts, it's not uncommon for a particular phrase in conversation to become a hot topic. Every generation has its own language and slang, but at the end of the day, the cure for generational resentment is making each other feel heard.
Still, there are certain soft phrases Boomers would love to see banned from conversation that younger generations, like Gen-Z, use frequently. Not only are they often misunderstood, but they can also feel confusing to Baby Boomers who aren't as comfortable with therapy speak and intentionally soft language in casual conversation.
Boomers can’t stand these soft phrases Gen-Z says all the time:
1. 'That's so toxic'
fizkes / Shutterstock
Many experts suggest that younger generations like Gen-Z have sparked an "empathy revolution," being more willing to open up vulnerable conversations and make an effort to truly express their feelings when connecting with others. In exchanges with older generations, who were often encouraged to keep their emotional struggles and vulnerability to themselves, a soft phrase like "that's toxic" can feel strange to them.
2. 'I'm triggered'
fizkes / Shutterstock
From a mental health perspective, "being triggered" is a very valid and common experience that can evoke discomfort in very unsuspecting situations. While there are certainly situations where a phrase like this is being used casually, especially for Gen-Z folks who have access to mental health lingo, it can often help contextualize traumatic experiences. But for Baby Boomers, who grew up in a space where concealing mental health and their emotions was the norm, phrases like this can seem dramatic, even when they're being used to express a person's trauma.
3. 'Protect your peace'
Ground Picture / Shutterstock
Setting boundaries and safeguarding your emotional well-being can look different for everyone, but Gen-Z often uses phrases like this to motivate them toward a healthier mindset. Protecting your peace is a million things: walking away from toxic relationships, choosing to forgo unhealthy conversations, and even taking mental health days at work. For Baby Boomers who have been taught that endless hard work and a commitment to hustle culture are the only path to success, it's not surprising that phrases like this are among the soft phrases Boomers would love to see banned.
4. 'Safe space'
fizkes / Shutterstock
Considering Gen Z is more diverse than previous generations, it's not surprising that their lived experiences lead them to prioritize equity and inclusion in their daily lives. Not only are they committed to carving out space for themselves in traditional institutions such as workplaces, but they also rely on "safe spaces" to find a sense of belonging and connect with like-minded people who respect their opinions and identities. For Baby Boomers, who either never needed a "safe space" to feel respected or weren't given the grace of the community they needed growing up, watching younger generations prioritize this kind of belonging can spark resentment and frustration.
5. 'Manifesting'
fizkes / Shutterstock
With greater access to self-help content and habits on social media and other online platforms, it's not surprising that many Gen-Zers (who are also collectively less engaged with organized religion than Baby Boomers) have turned to spiritual practices like manifestation to cope with their struggles and motivate themselves toward their goals.
While it may seem silly, especially for Baby Boomers who don't know anything about manifestation or its practical use, the art of manifesting can be extremely helpful for lonely Gen-Zers. It may be one of the soft phrases Boomers would love to see banned, but regardless of the resentment towards the lingo, it will continue to serve and support people.
6. 'Cancel culture'
fizkes / Shutterstock
Considering Gen-Z is much more socially engaged and conscious than past generations, it's not surprising that they've simultaneously adopted phrases like "cancel culture" to hold others accountable. According to a 2021 international study published in The Lancet Planetary Health, nearly 80% of Gen-Z are worried about the climate crisis, alongside other socioeconomic concerns. Certainly, there are situations where "being canceled" for your values and routines isn't appropriate or effective for effecting real change, but it can also be a vehicle for effecting change, urging other generations to be more intentional with their language and behavior.
7. 'I'm holding space'
Pormezz / Shutterstock
"Holding space" for yourself and others in your life can look different for everyone, but it essentially means creating space that helps someone feel more supported and comfortable expressing their emotions/ Many people "hold space" for themselves as well, finding ways to advocate for their boundaries and express their emotions. For Baby Boomers who have often grown up being urged to repress their emotions and avoid mental health struggles, both the practice and phrase of "holding space" can feel uncomfortable and frustrating.
8. 'Emotional labor'
fizkes / Shutterstock
According to a 2021 study on mental health, compiled by the Oliver Wyman Forum, Gen-Z is 83% more likely than past generations to report having anxiety and 86% more likely to report depressive symptoms. While it's true there's a mental health and loneliness crisis affecting younger generations today at much higher rates, they're also more communicative and open about their mental health.
Gen-Z's openness to mental health and collective commitment to general well-being are where the phrase "emotional labor" originates — essentially, doing the work to set boundaries and leverage resources to best support your mental health. For Baby Boomers who not only struggle to address but also communicate with others about their mental health, this phrase can be frustrating and disillusioning.
9. 'Trauma dump'
PLotulitStocker / Shutterstock
While Gen-Z is more likely to speak about their actual trauma in their conversations and relationships, the term "trauma dump" is typically used in a casual context, in ways that can sometimes feel inappropriate or uncomfortable for listeners. When someone "trauma dumps" their experiences, it's typically without considering the other person's response, and sometimes, it's even used to emotionally manipulate someone into getting what they want. Especially when they're only on the receiving end of a "trauma dump," it's not surprising that this term has become one of the soft phrases Boomers would love to see banned.
10. 'Healing journey'
fizkes / Shutterstock
Embracing a "healing journey" is all about building resilience and growing in the face of challenge. For some, it might look like embracing therapy and mental health resources. For others, it may be more about letting go of toxic relationships and people in their lives. At the end of the day, Gen-Z's adoption of a "healing era" or "healing journey" is all about looking inward and prioritizing themselves — something older generations may misguidedly label as "selfish" or "self-serving."
11. 'Inner child work'
Raushan_films / Shutterstock
Considering Gen-Z lived through most of their early adult years during the pandemic, many are reinventing trends like "their healing era" to reclaim that time and reconnect with the innocence they were forced to give up amid a tumultuous global atmosphere. For Baby Boomers who might have grown up fast but still had time to relish their adolescence, hearing phrases like this can feel unnecessarily soft and silly. Why would an adult want to revert to their childlike state of innocence?
However, there's research, like a study from the International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, that suggests connecting and taking the time to understand your inner child can truly revolutionize your adult experience, helping you to address past experiences that make it difficult for you to feel heard and understood in your current life.
12. 'I'm adulting'
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A / Shutterstock
Surely, every young person or Gen-Zer has used a phrase like this before to characterize their "adult" experiences: taking out the trash, going to the DMV, showing up for work, doing all the things that they never imagined would take up so much time and emotional energy. While Baby Boomers have been "adulting" for decades and often roll their eyes at this soft phrase, many Gen-Zers still feel like kids, navigating adulthood without the foundational years of growth that many lost amid the global pandemic.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor's degree in social relations & policy and gender studies, focusing on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human-interest stories.
