10 "Outdated" Careers That Won't Be Around For Much Longer

1. "Follow your dreams."

This phrase became a mantra for many Boomers, pushing the idea that pursuing passion and fulfillment in work should be a top priority. Unfortunately, that's just not realistic any more.

Sure, passion is important, but the reality is that dreams don't always pay the bills or ensure financial stability. Today, many people find themselves balancing passion with practicality by taking on side gigs, freelancing, or choosing careers that might not be their ultimate dream job but offer security.

2. "You can pull yourself up by your bootstraps."

Pulling yourself up by your bootstraps has long been hailed as the hallmark of self-made success. It suggests that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve greatness through pure hard work and determination.

However, younger generations agree that's just not the case in 2025. With growing economic inequalities, skyrocketing housing costs, and student debt, that proverbial bootstrap can feel pretty elusive. For many, the idea of pulling yourself up isn't as simple as working harder; it's a matter of having access to the right opportunities and resources.

3. "You can be whatever you want."

Again, just because someone wants to be a lawyer or doctor (and is willing to work hard) doesn't mean they can. Sure, the idea of limitless potential sounds inspiring, but it blatantly overlooks the systemic barriers that so many people face.

In the modern era, the road to success is often paved by factors beyond anyone's control, like access to education, family wealth, and even geography. The harsh truth is that "being whatever you want" is a lot harder with these obstacles in the way.

4. "Go to college, get a degree, and you'll be set."

It was once thought that a degree would immediately open the door to a stable, well-paying job and a secure future. While college education is still valuable today, it's no longer a guarantee of success, especially due to crippling student debt and a more competitive job market than ever.

Many graduates still find themselves underemployed or stuck in jobs they didn't really want. So, unfortunately, degrees are no longer surefire tickets to successful careers.

5. "You should buy a home instead of wasting money on renting."

Homeownership was a milestone viewed as a mark of stability and success. Meanwhile, renting was considered a temporary solution.

Even so, high home prices and interest rates, coupled with housing shortages, have left plenty of young people simply unable to buy their own property. Instead, renting has now become a long-term reality for many.

6. "It's taboo to talk about money."

Talking about income or other financial matters used to be considered tacky or inappropriate. Yet, salary transparency is more important than ever in 2025.

Wage inequality and pay gaps are major issues, and openly discussing money helps ensure people are fairly and equally compensated in the workplace. Many employees now recognize the power of sharing their salary as a way to hold their bosses accountable and help others negotiate better pay.

7. "Just save your money."

Anyone with a Boomer parent has probably been told that if they "just" set aside a portion of their income, they'll be set for the future. That's not true anymore.

With inflation and rising living costs, stashing cash away in the bank isn't enough to secure financial stability. Not to mention, many people can't even keep up with the increasing costs of essentials, let alone saving to build wealth. Instead, budgeting, investing, and strategic financial planning are essential for money management today.

8. "Settle down and start your family."

Last but not least, settling down and starting a family used to be viewed as the natural next step in adulthood. But this advice doesn't resonate the same with younger generations.

The pressure to settle down has been replaced with a desire to achieve personal growth, career advancement, and financial independence first. Also, starting a family isn't a one-size-fits-all goal anymore, especially amidst evolving gender roles and an increased focus on mental well-being. That's why more people are choosing a path that feels right for them as opposed to following a set timeline.

1. Wearing Green (And Pinching Those Who Aren't)

One of the easiest ways to cash in on the luck of St. Patrick's Day is by wearing green. This hue has deep ties to Ireland, which is often called the "Emerald Isle" due to its lush, rolling landscapes. Beyond its natural beauty, green also carries historical significance and symbolizes Irish nationalism and cultural pride.

The best part? There's a mischievous side to this fun and festive tradition. More specifically, those who forget to wear the color might find themselves on the receiving end of a pinch.

This playful custom is more common in the U.S. than in Ireland and stems from the idea that wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns, who are known for their trickster ways. So, to avoid being "spotted" (or pinched), make sure you add a splash of green to your outfit.

2. Drowning A Shamrock In Whiskey

In Ireland, a well-known tradition is "drowning the shamrock," and it's believed to bring good luck. The shamrock has long been linked with Irish heritage and fortune. It's said to have been used by St. Patrick to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity.

So, on March 17, many celebrate by dropping a fresh shamrock into a glass of whiskey, drinking the beverage, and then tossing the shamrock over their left shoulder for good luck.

3. Doing An Irish Jig

Get into the spirit of the holiday by learning an Irish jig! This energetic dance is a staple of Irish celebrations and is often performed in parades or festivals. It features quick footwork, pointed toes, and rhythmic hopping.

The Irish jig has deep roots in Celtic culture, possibly evolving from ancient clan marching tunes or early Celtic circle dances. Traditionally, Celts danced clockwise for joyous occasions and counterclockwise for mourning.

You can take a dance class, join in at a local event, or just work on some jig steps at home!

4. Searching For Four-Leaf Clovers

Hunting for a four-leaf clover is a classic St. Patty's Day pastime, and if you manage to find one, you should consider yourself super lucky.

While shamrocks typically have three leaves, the rare four-leaf clover is actually a genetic mutation, making it a real symbol of good fortune. In fact, experts estimate that only one in every 10,000 clovers has four leaves!

Test your luck this holiday by scanning a patch of clover quickly. Our brains are surprisingly good at spotting irregular patterns.

5. Release The "Devil" From Your Irish Soda Bread

Did you know that cutting a cross on top of Irish soda bread isn't just for aesthetics? According to Irish folklore, scoring a cross into the dough "lets the devil out" and ensures good luck and protection for your household.

This superstition, rooted in both Christian and pagan beliefs, was thought to ward off evil spirits. It also serves a practical purpose by allowing steam to escape, thus helping the bread bake evenly.

6. Run In A St. Patrick's Day Dash

Running a race might not be the first thing that comes to mind for March 17, but it's become a really fun tradition. St. Patrick's Day dashes can range from quick 5Ks to half marathons, with plenty of family-friendly walks for those who prefer a more leisurely pace.

Participants dress up in green, wear shamrocks, and sometimes even race while sporting leprechaun hats! It's a great way to stay active and possibly run your way into some good luck.

7. Chow Down On Corned Beef And Cabbage

It's just not St. Patrick's Day without a plate of corned beef and cabbage. Even though many associated this dish with Ireland, it actually has Irish-American roots.

When Irish immigrants arrived in the U.S., they found corned beef to be a more affordable alternative to traditional bacon. Paired with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots, it became a comforting and flavorful meal that stuck as a holiday staple.

8. Kiss Someone Who Is Irish

Finally, you've definitely seen the phrase "Kiss me, I'm Irish" on T-shirts before. This fun saying is tied to the tradition of kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland, an act that's said to bring good luck.

However, not all of us have the ability to visit the Blarney Stone. So, kissing an Irish person is another way to honor the custom in the spirit of good fortune.

1. Paloma

Campbell "Pookie" Puckett and her husband, Jett Puckett, have taken the social media world by storm with their seemingly picture-perfect romance and lavish lifestyle.

In November 2024, the influencer couple welcomed their daughter, Paloma, into the world after creating a lot of anticipatory hype surrounding their name choice.

Paloma has Spanish and Italian roots and is derived from Latin. It means "dove," in addition to "pigeon" and "butterfly." Those familiar with Greek mythology may recognize doves as symbols of Aphrodite, the goddess of love.

2. Wyatt, Elliotte, and Bennett

Jason Kelce, who spent 13 years playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, and his wife, Kylie Kelce, faced some backlash for the gender-neutral names they chose for their three daughters.

However, gender-neutral monikers are more popular than ever before. And now that the couple has a fourth daughter on the way, they reportedly plan to continue the name trend in their family.

3. Riot

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky made waves in 2023 when they named their second child Riot. The bold, unconventional pick fits right in with the couple's trend of sticking to "R" names, as Rihanna's full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, and A$AP Rocky's is Rakim Athelaston Mayers.

Beyond its personal significance, the name Riot carries a strong, rebellious energy. It definitely reflects both artists' fearless approach when it comes to both music and fashion.

4. Winnie

When Jimmy Fallon and his wife, Nancy Juvonen, had their first daughter in 2013, they chose a somewhat unique name with a lot of personal meaning: Winnie. Welsh in origin, it means "gentle friend" or "friend of peace."

Specifically for the couple, though, it's a tribute to Lake Winnipesaukee, the picturesque New Hampshire lake where they got engaged. Plus, Jimmy added the name made even more sense since they viewed Winnie as a "win" in their life.

5. Grace Warrior

Everyone remembers Steve Irwin as the fearless "Crocodile Hunter" who tragically died in late 2006. More recently, his daughter, Bindi Irwin, welcomed a little girl of her own into the world in 2021 and named her Grace Warrior.

While Grace may be a more common name, meaning "favor" or "blessing," Warrior was a more unusual choice with a sentimental intent.

"Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to my dad and his legacy as the most incredible Wildlife Warrior," Bindi shared on Instagram.

6. River Rose and Remington

Kelly Clarkson and her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, chose two distinctive names for their girl and boy: River Rose, born in 2014, and Remington Alexander, born in 2016.

With British roots and a whimsical feel, River is a gender-neutral pick that means "a flowing body of water." It was traditionally used more frequently for boys, but Kelly changed that trend.

Meanwhile, Remington is also British in origin and started as a surname, translating to "settlement by the boundary stream." Perhaps Kelly chose this sibling combination because both River and Remington begin with "R" and have connections to water.

7. Elsie Otter

When Zooey Deschanel and her then-husband Jacob Pechenik had their daughter in 2015, they chose a name that was both classic and quirky: Elsie Otter.

While Elsie is a timeless choice of Hebrew origin, which means "pledged to God," the addition of Otter gives it a more playful twist. During an appearance on TODAY, Zooey explained their reasoning behind it.

"We just really liked the name Elsie, and then we both love otters because they're so sweet and also smart," she detailed.

"They use tools, they keep their favorite tools, they hold hands while they sleep; there are so many amazing things about otters. They're wonderful animals."

8. Luai

Finally, in 2023, Lindsay Lohan and her husband, Bader Shammas, named their Dubai-born son Luai. It's Arabic in origin and means "protector" or "shield," but it remains a rare pick in the U.S.

Luay, a more common variation of this name, was only given to eight boys born in the U.S. in 2022.