The Floor Ain’t Loyal: Gen X, Aging Joints, and the Battle to Get Back Up

From Climbing Trees to Fighting the Floor

We really are that generation. The last ones who had no choice but to be outside all day — sun up to streetlight. We rode bikes for miles, climbed trees like squirrels, leapt off porches, played tag until our knees were grass-stained, and swore “cops and robbers” was Olympic training. We were untouchable. Limitless. Bulletproof.

Honey did you hear that...that snap krackle and pop??

Fast-forward to now… and somehow, sitting on the floor has become an extreme sport. A whole-body negotiation with my knees, my back, and my pride. Like, do I really need to be down there? What’s waiting on the ground that’s worth the risk of not making it back up?

The Flashback Flex I remember leaping off porches, vaulting fences, and running barefoot across gravel like it was nothing. We had to be told to stop rolling in the grass or we’d be itching all night — and even then, it didn’t stop us. Dropping to the ground used to mean cartwheels, double-dutch breaks, or just collapsing in laughter before springing back up like rubber bands.

Now?

I lower myself to the floor slower than a download on dial-up, praying my joints don’t sound like a bowl of Rice Krispies.

The Downward Spiral There’s that exact moment right before I hit the floor when I realize — this might be it. I may not get back up without assistance or a GoFundMe. That slow bend, the little wobble, and the “ooh chile” sigh… that’s when I know I’ve officially entered the danger zone.

The Great Escape And the comeback? Forget it. That’s no casual stand-up, that’s a strategy. Roll to the side? Push off the couch? Grab the coffee table and pray it holds? The way I plot my exit from the floor deserves its own TED Talk. And don’t think I’m not checking the room first — if someone’s watching this struggle, I might as well start charging admission.

The Life Decisions Here’s the kicker — once I’m down there, I start reevaluating everything. Why am I even on the floor? Do I live here now? Should I just get a pillow and commit? And the second I do finally stand, here comes the guilt trip: “I need to get to the gym.” Which turns into “Next week.” Then “Next month.” Then boom — it’s next year and here we are again. Same floor. Same knees. Same lies.

And I’ll be honest: sometimes I regret not taking better care of my body sooner. Back when we could eat junk, stay outside all day, and still bounce up like nothing. But now I know — it’s never too late. We still have time to do better, to stretch, to move, to take care of ourselves in ways that let us keep showing up for the people we love.

The GlamKid Reminder Because nothing hits harder than watching our Glamkids — our TGL babies — playing on the floor the way we once did. They tumble, climb, and laugh like the world is their playground, and for a split second, you wish you could jump right in. The hopscotch, the hide-and-seek, the running barefoot across the yard without a single complaint from your knees. We can’t always join in like we used to, but the joy of watching them play reminds us of who we were — and inspires us to take better care of who we are now.

The TGL Spin And let me tell you — if you’re nodding your head right now (carefully, so you don’t strain anything), you’re in good company. Sis, you are not alone. That’s why I’m saying this: let’s stop talking about it and do something. If you want a TGL 30-Day Workout Challenge, we’ll put it together. But here’s the deal — you gotta give us weekly feedback so we can cheer you on, laugh with you, and give you that push right when you need it most.

The Kicker.....just so you know how real this is? I’m literally sitting on the floor as I write this blog. Why do you think it came to me so strong? Because if and when I finally get up, I’ll forget! And THAT, my friends, is a whole other post waiting to be written. 😂