As regular readers will know, I fancy myself as a bit of an amateur anthropologist. A keen observer when it comes to the subject of generational change. I find the ever-shifting sands of societal norms, attitudes and behaviours to be utterly fascinating.

Particularly when it comes to things like pop culture or perspectives on work-life balance. First, though, let’s remind ourselves of the players in the generation game.

They include Gen Z, those born from 1997 to 2012. Then we have Millennials (1981 to1996), Gen X (1965 to 1980), Baby Boomers (1946 to 1964) and the Silent Generation (1928 to 1945). Not to forget the upcoming Gen Alpha (2013 to 2024).

A story in recent days caught my eye. According to new research, 52 per cent of Gen Z professionals say they don’t want to be middle managers.

The survey by recruitment company Robert Walters found that 72% would plump for an individual route to progression over managing others. Why? Because 69% of Gen Z believe middle management is too high stress, low reward.

This is a trend being dubbed “conscious unbossing”. While the immediate, knee-jerk reaction might be to declare how lazy, good-for-nothing and self-entitled young people are today, blah, blah, blah, I’m actually awestruck at this canny attitude. Good on them, I reckon.

Top marks for clocking on faster than previous generations that life is about more than clambering the greasy pole at work or cramming our diaries full of dutiful obligations. I was well into my forties before a similar epiphany struck.

As a Gen Xer now in midlife, I can see that one of the biggest myths that my generation was fed is the notion that you can “have it all”.

It was a theme particularly directed at women and perpetuated by TV shows like Sex and the City, with the onus on being able to simultaneously juggle a high-flying career, a romantic partner, family life, friendships, hobbies, holidays and a beautiful home.

Yet, the thorny truth that no one talked about was how, in order to “have it all”, you inevitably end up devoting less time to the things you truly love and are sleepwalking through life in a perpetual state of soul-sapping fatigue. So, in reality, to “have it all” is not very fulfilling.

The more I hear of Gen Z, the bigger an admirer I become of their gumption. Not only have they decreed the skinny jeans, side partings and ankle socks favoured by millennials to be uncool (hurrah for baggy jeans, middle partings and crew socks), they seem to be savvy as hell.

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And if we needed any further proof that the bold Gen Z are winning the generation game, I stumbled across another story last week which says they are bringing avocado bathroom decor back into fashion. To give millennials their due, they are also partly behind this.

According to a report by the DIY retailer Wickes, some 30% of homeowners aged between 18 and 34 say they would pick green - coveting avocado shades in particular - if given the chance to upgrade their bathroom. Coral pink is apparently also a popular choice.

That said, this joyous avocado-themed revival is not popular with everyone. Perhaps unsurprisingly, fewer than one in 20 people over 55 - those who lived through its original heyday in the 1970s - said they would fancy following suit.

Yep, we know how this story ends. Generations Alpha and Beta (the latter those who will be born between 2025 and 2039) will come along and rip out all those green and pink bathrooms. Then Gen Gamma (2040 to 2054) will proclaim them to be stylish again.

Although that’s assuming humans will still use traditional bathrooms by that stage? Now there’s a thought to ponder over your morning cornflakes.

Susan Swarbrick is a columnist and freelance writer who specialises in celebrity interviews, TV content and musings on popular culture. She also loves the outdoors and regularly covers sport. Follow her on X @SusanSwarbrick