The Generation X Files

Back in 1993, Blur released the album I’ve borrowed for this post’s title.

I was a few months from turning 18.

I had left school the year before, and was about to start an undergraduate degree.

I talked a little about my schooldays in this earlier post We don’t need no education.

What I didn’t mention in that post is that I left school out of principle.

I felt I’d received an unjust punishment for something trivial I’d done. I passionately made my argument at the time.

But my protests and pleading didn’t change the outcome. So, I went home that night and didn’t go back.

Well that’s not strictly true. I had to go back once. I found out that you can’t just stop going to school!

I decided telling the School Secretary over the phone would be enough. She disagreed and insisted I come to the school to see the Headmistress.

I’d attended that school for 12 years. My entire school life.

I sat outside the dreaded office for the last time. Feeling that same trepidation I’d always had sitting there.

My eyes darted back and forth to the “Enter” sign. It was above her door and would light up when she was ready. Summoned by the push of a button.

I was surprised when she opened the door and invited me in. This was new!

I had my soapbox ready to step up on and a hill I was ready to die on.

I expected a lecture about how important it was to finish my final year. I was sure she’d try to convince me to get those last 2 grades I needed for university.

Instead, she told me it was “probably for the best” that I leave. She said I’d “outgrown school”. She was…….diplomatic.

And that was that.

I took my spare, unworn uniform back to the shop next day and got a refund. I’d like to say I gave the cash to my mum (who had of course bought it!). I actually bought a train ticket to visit my friend instead! I was 17 after all!

The reality of what I’d done sank in the next week. I thought I’d have another year of school to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up!

A year later, I attended a “Summer school for access” program through my local University. I passed and qualified to start a Masters Degree in psychology.

I’m from a single parent family and my mum helped support me. I moved into a tiny studio apartment near the university and got a bike.

I worked in a laundry/dry cleaners at the weekends. As a cloakroom attendant in a nightclub every night (having turned 18).

I was (and still am!) fascinated by the human brain. I was halfway through my degree when mine decided to malfunction.

For reasons far too complicated to explain right now, I decided to take some time out. I planned to regroup and go back to finish my degree.

But alas dear reader, I never did. Thirty-two years later, I’ve filled a few pages on the old C.V.

I’ve had great jobs, crazy jobs and some that only lasted a day!

My career path has meandered into some real extremes.

I’ve dressed in a kangaroo costume for one job and a police uniform in another. A real one – I wasn’t a kissogram!

But I never found that “live to work” job, they always talk about. My passions in life don’t pay the bills. I’ve had to do traditional jobs instead.

I’m 50 years old and I’m never going to be wealthy. But, that’s okay. I have a roof over my head and a full stomach. I’m rich in the only currency that matters to me – love.

At the start of this post, I was 18. I never imagined the world I find myself in today.

It blows my mind that there are people living in the streets with nothing. At the same time, others are becoming trillionaires.

That, in 2025, we still have monarchies paid for from the public purse.

Every day it seems the price of something is going up. Everything is getting too expensive and people (and countries!) are getting into more debt.

The systems are broken.

I don’t think it’s right to get rich while you’re in public service.

I don’t want to have a digital ID.

I want to exercise my right to free speech without consequence.

I’m sick of wars and the death of innocents.

I’m tired of the illusion there’s a difference between political parties.

But mostly, I’m sick of feeling helpless. Aren’t you?

I started this blog because I’m pretty sure there’s still more of “us” than there is of “them”.

We’ve become so divided and it’s only getting worse.

Imagine if we put all that energy into finding new ways to live.

Modern life is rubbish and there has to be a better way.

I’m dusting off that soapbox from my schooldays once again!

Who’s coming to join me?

Citizen Jane x