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UFL | Life

Grandma Era or Girlhood on Pause?

Nora Clingenpeel Student Contributor, University of Florida
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UFL chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

If your ideal Friday night involves getting into your comfiest pair of PJs, lighting a candle and settling down to your favorite book or show, you could be in your grandma era. 

The grandma era refers to a trend in which young adults, typically in their early 20s, ditch traditional weekend activities like going to the club in favor of staying home. In many cases, those who choose to embrace the lifestyle also take up traditionally “grandma-like” hobbies, such as reading, crocheting and baking.

You’ve probably seen people talking about the grandma era all over social media, whether it’s girls enthusiastically and proudly calling themselves grandmas or others expressing complete disbelief at the entire concept, practically begging everyone to go to a bar and dance the night away.

Girls who adopt a grandma lifestyle often claim that it’s how they feel their happiest and healthiest. After all, who loves waking up hungover on a Sunday morning, head throbbing and dehydrated, wondering how they’re going to finish all their assignments before the new week begins?

There is nothing wrong with staying in and choosing rest if that’s what makes you feel fulfilled. There’s certainly nothing wrong with embracing a cozy aesthetic or indulging in grandma-like activities as your preferred hobby. There’s nothing wrong with the grandma era itself. 

The issue lies in the conversation surrounding it. There’s a fine line between choosing to stay in for your own mental well-being and doing so for a different reason, often tied to negative stigma surrounding women who go out and seek social connection. 

While scrolling through TikTok, I came across a video connecting the rise of young women identifying with the grandma era to a recent uptick in conservatism. While I think that’s a bold generalization, it raises a conversation worth having about why more and more young people are choosing to spend their time at home. 

As a girl who enjoys a good night in, complete with a home-cooked meal and Netflix, I understand the appeal of shutting out the world for an evening. But when staying in becomes a reason to criticize other women who crave a night of fun, spontaneity and freedom, the grandma era discourse shifts from positive to negative. 

Everyone reading this has probably chosen, at least once, to stay home rather than go out. It feels good to stay in and spend time doing things you genuinely enjoy. And although I might receive some criticism from the most loyal grandma-era enthusiasts, staying in seven nights a week isn’t healthy. At some point, it becomes isolation.

Grandmas are some of the wisest people we know, and being compared to one can even be a compliment. But part of that wisdom comes from a lifetime of experiences and enjoying life to its fullest potential. They’ve had years to step outside their comfort zones, take risks and say yes to plans and decisions that weren’t always the safest option. 

Experiencing life to its fullest can mean different things to different people. No one expects you to spend your weekends drinking at a bar if it doesn’t make you feel your best, mentally or physically. Nevertheless, I think it’s important that the grandma era movement doesn’t look down on places like clubs and bars, especially when it comes to women. A night out can be a great way to meet new people, connect with friends and make new memories. 

Even if going out doesn’t mean heading to a bar, there’s something to be said for spending quality time with good friends, meeting new people and sharing new experiences. It’s much harder to make those kinds of memories when you spend all your time alone at home. 

Ultimately, the debate over the grandma era comes down to balance. The duality of life as a young woman means that you can dance all night with your best friends one evening and spend the next curled up with a face mask and a cozy bedtime mocktail. There’s nothing wrong with embracing the little bit of grandma that lives inside you, but don’t let it keep you from experiencing everything young adulthood has to offer. You can love your quiet nights without turning your back on the experiences that make being young so special.

Nora Clingenpeel

UFL '29

Nora Clingenpeel is a sophomore journalism and political science major at the University of Florida.

In addition to her work with Her Campus, Nora is a broadcast journalist who can be found in the studio at WUFT. She also works as a sports journalist, reporting for ESPN Gainesville and writing articles for WRUF. Nora has experience in radio as well, cutting audio, writing scripts, and recording on-air content.

Outside of journalism, Nora enjoys staying active in any way she can, from gym sessions and Pilates classes to walks with friends. She loves spending time outside and soaking up the sun whenever possible. When she’s looking to unwind, you can usually find her baking something sweet to share with her roommates—banana bread is a favorite!