Who are the Perennials and why are they called "people of the future"?

We often hear that age is just a number on a passport. Many take this as little more than a consolation, but there are those for whom this phrase is an indisputable truth. These are the perennials—eternally youthful people who break the stereotypes of what someone who has reached middle age should be like. They have their own set of values and unique ideas about success and happiness.

The term "perennial" first appeared in 2016. It was first used by entrepreneur Gina Pell to describe active people of any age with a wide range of interests. She primarily meant people over 40. Pell stated that she doesn't consider the number of years one has lived to be the key factor determining a person's behavior and attitude toward life.

According to the entrepreneur, one can remain creative, emotional, and intellectually active at any age. It's worth noting that Gina didn't coin the word "perennial" herself. She borrowed it from botany. Perennial, translated from English, means a perennial plant. She felt the term was a perfect fit for people who don't notice their age.

Perennials, such as chrysanthemums or roses, look great year after year and bloom regularly. Only the gardener who planted and cares for them can tell how old they are. It's also difficult to estimate the age of perennials, who lead vibrant, fulfilling lives at any age.

Gina Pell believes that perennials are characterized by curiosity and a desire to grow at any age. This applies not only to their careers but also to their hobbies. These people live in the present and present reality, not in memories of the past. Their wardrobe is exactly the same as that of their children and grandchildren.

They may begin learning a foreign language or programming well beyond their college years. Many perennials attend university and study there with their children. These people are friends with people 10 years older than them and 20 years younger. Their main philosophy is to live an active, interesting, and fulfilling life.

Perennials could be said to combine the best qualities of boomers and millennials. From the former, they inherited hard work and a strong commitment to values, while from the latter, they inherited technological literacy and a desire to develop. Perennials are characterized by an open-minded approach. They don't cling tenaciously to rules and dogmas. These people readily admit their mistakes and abandon their beliefs when presented with compelling evidence.

These people are also not afraid to express their emotions. They don't worry about what others think of them or whether they'll look foolish. Their life experience has taught them to trust only themselves and their own feelings. Other people's judgment is of very little importance to them. Perennials are energetic and self-confident. They know they're not perfect, but they've become accustomed to their shortcomings and minimize their impact on their lives.

Perennials have experienced more than one serious disappointment in life. They aren't afraid of further setbacks, unless they cause fatal damage. These people have enough life experience to accurately determine the line that shouldn't be crossed. They're unlikely to invest in dubious projects, but they're prepared to take reasonable risks if the consequences of failure are reversible.

Those currently aged 50–60 can easily expect another decade and a half to two decades of active life. A great deal can be accomplished during this time. For example, changing majors and building a career in a completely new field. Modern technologies—high-speed internet, social media, and artificial intelligence—are a great help in this regard. They can also help you start working remotely, completely changing your lifestyle.

This new category of people is having a significant impact on society. In 2010, the press service of the US National Academy of Sciences advised employers to ignore age when hiring employees. This policy is gaining popularity in other countries as well. Every year, the world sees an increasing number of teams consisting of people with significant age differences.

Sociologist Mauro Guillén is confident that, over time, the tensions between different generations will diminish. The stereotype that the older a person is, the more experienced and intelligent they are, is becoming a thing of the past. Young professionals are no longer looked down upon, and it's clear that professionalism is not dependent on the year of birth.

A 50-year-old's mentor could easily be someone half their age, but with more knowledge and experience. Therefore, a young person can become an authority figure for a perennial, and the latter won't see anything strange or wrong with it. All these factors are already changing society, and this is just the beginning.

What do you think about the concept of perennials? Do you think age really doesn't matter if a person is open to new experiences and actively develops? Or do the numbers in a passport impose certain limitations? Share your thoughts in the comments!