I’m Not Toxic, I’m Seasoned: A Gen X Woman’s Guide to Surviving the Lobby and Calling BS Loudly

Gen X opinion: I'm not toxic, more seasoned!

Look, I’ve been called a lot of things over the years: toxic, aggressive, bossy, intimidating. But you know what I call it?

Seasoned.

Because while I am all those things, I’m also caring, loyal, and as sweet as I choose to be.

Keyword: choose.

I’m not some shiny new controller fresh out the box. I’m the cracked, slightly dusty, battle hardened one that’s survived lobbies, lag, and life. She’s been dropped a few times, might glitch now and then, but still shows up for the grind.

That’s me. And I wouldn’t change a damn thing.

Let’s get one thing straight: I'm a Seasoned Gen X

I’m not the soft voiced stream girl with a pastel mic and a “teehee” laugh calling people “sugar.” I’m not trying to be your digital girlfriend or your emotional support e-mom.

I’m a Gen X woman from the Northeast, and if you catch me in a lobby, I’m probably already yelling at someone to either fix their static riddled headset or, for the love of K/D, turn it off.

👑 The “Pick Me” Epidemic (and My Eye Twitch)

Let’s talk about the virus in the voice chat: The Pick-Me Woman.

You know the one. Her gamertag is something like BendMeOver_420xx and the second she loads in, it’s nothing but giggles and “Hi babe 😘” like she’s applying for Call of Duty’s Next Top Wifey.

Please. No.

We already get “go make a sandwich” jokes just for existing in the lobby. So when another woman leans into that stereotype just to get the attention of some dude with a K/D of 0.52 and a superiority complex, I seriously lose brain cells. Rapidly. It’s like being friendly downed by your own gender.

Ma’am, why are you voluntarily making it harder for the rest of us?

Why hand these trolls ammo like it’s a charity drive?

It’s not just cringey. It’s exhausting.

Have a tag. Have a vibe. Be a whole person. But don’t reset feminism just so some dude will ask for your Snapchat.

Because you know what happens to me when I like someone’s COD content?

I drop a like, and suddenly I’m getting “hey beautiful 😉” in private messages. Just for liking his gameplay.

NO. No no no. My bio literally says “mom & wife.”

Stay on topic. 

This isn’t Tinder.

This is warzone content.

🧂 Blunt, But Loyal (Unless You’re an Idiot)

I’ve been told I’m “harsh.”

That I’m “too judgmental.”

That I “rub people the wrong way.”

Or the classic:

“You know how Toxic is…” Yeah, I do. And I stand by it.

I’m not rude. I’m direct. I’m not mean. I’m protective. I just don’t believe everyone needs a warm welcome and a friendship bracelet.

I’ve spent years, in life and in game, learning that not everyone is worth your energy. So yeah, maybe I don’t play nice right away. Maybe I think you’re too nice to people who clearly don’t deserve it. Maybe I think your “let’s just all get along” attitude is one red flag away from a group betrayal.

But if I like you? I’m loyal as hell. I’ll revive you but I'm also selfish. I'll grab armor first. Listen, we both have to be safe. It’s a warzone, sweetie.

I’ll wait while you go potty, or grab a snack. Now, I'm not saying I'm not impatient and I just want to game...

That said, if I get a weird vibe? If you give me fake nice energy or say one too many things that feel just slightly off?

I’m done. 

No explanation. My gut has a 95% accuracy rate, and it’s usually right.

We don’t have to vibe with everyone. We’re too old for forced friendships and Discord drama.

I know my people are out there, seasoned, sarcastic, no-bullshit players who don’t need a group application to click. Hell, I game some already!

💀 Enemy Spotted… Wait, Is That a Girl?

Let’s talk about that instant vibe shift when I realize there’s another woman in the lobby.

I’m locked in. Savage-mode activated. Laser-focused. Ruthless.

Ready to drop enemies and loot their box like it’s holding my lost Amazon packages.

But then I hear her voice. Another woman. In the wild. On comms.

And suddenly? I’m not just here to win.

I’m here to support.

Gulag Queen morphs into “Let’s Go!” energy. Because in this loud, chaotic, often testosterone drenched space? I know how rare it is to hear another woman speak up, and I’m not about to make her feel alone for doing it.

“Hey girl!”

“Get what you need, we will leave you alone!”

I hype her up. I give space. I see her. And I make sure my male teammates understand that too. (Unless it’s the last circle. Sorry!)

Because this is supposed to be a man’s world, right? But when I hear another woman in the lobby, I don’t see competition, I see company.

And honestly? That’s powerful.

That said…

Let’s keep it real: there are limits. If she turns out to be a pick me, giggling her way into proximity chat just to get attention? Using the same lingo the men do, just to be hyped up by her male teammates?

Nope. That’s not it.

In that case, Girl’s Girl mode shuts down. Grace period revoked.

I’ll outplay her without blinking, and serve up a “gg” so drenched in sarcasm in lobby chat, it could exfoliate your ego.

But until that switch flips? I'm always going to root for the woman in the lobby  because this space is hard enough without turning on each other.

🎮 Midlife Gaming Is My Love Language

I game still because it keeps me sane. Because it’s therapy with killstreaks. Because I’ve lived a whole life and still choose digital chaos to wind down.

My hands ache sometimes. My dog tries to get my snacks. My husband will yell, "what?" while I'm gaming.

But guess what?

I’m still dropping into Warzone like I’ve got something to prove.

And honestly? I do, to myself.

I’m proving that:

• Women belong here. Loudly.

• Gen X isn’t “too old” to game , we just play smarter and way funnier.

• Being “seasoned” means I don’t have time for your nonsense, your ego, or your broken mic.

So no, I’m not toxic. Even if it's in my name. I’m just not here to babysit emotions, stroke egos, or tone it down so people feel more comfortable.

I’m here to game. Loudly. Sarcastically. Unapologetically.

If that’s too much for you?

May I kindly recommend Animal Crossing and a juice box. 🧃

For the rest of you, the ones who get it?

Headset on. Vibe loud. Let’s raise some digital hell.