Quiet Quitting: Self-Care or Hidden Burnout

Quiet quitting went viral among Gen Z as a reaction to hustle culture. The idea: work strictly within your job description, no unpaid extra effort. At first glance, it seems like a healthy boundary—but is it truly self-care, or actually a hidden form of burnout?

What Is Quiet Quitting?

Quiet quitting doesn’t mean secretly resigning. It’s more of a mindset where someone does only the bare minimum outlined in their contract. For some, it feels like self-protection against excessive workplace demands.

Why Do Many Gen Z Embrace Quiet Quitting?

This trend is fueled by a mix of modern work culture and generational values. Key reasons include:

• Disappointment with exploitative or demanding work culture.
• Desire to protect mental health by setting boundaries.
• Feeling that extra contributions aren’t valued or rewarded.
• A growing need for authentic work-life balance.

For many young workers, quiet quitting signals that they no longer want to sacrifice physical and mental health for unrealistic career expectations.

The Risks of Quiet Quitting

While it may appear like self-care, disengagement carries hidden risks:

• Hidden burnout: mental energy already drained even within work hours.
• Loss of motivation and sense of belonging at work.
• Chronic stress from inner conflict between wanting more but holding back.
• Career stagnation due to lack of growth drive.

Quiet Quitting vs Real Self-Care

Quiet quitting is often mistaken for self-care. True self-care is active: exercising, sleeping well, healthy communication, and pursuing hobbies. Quiet quitting is more passive resistance—if unmanaged, it can deepen emotional exhaustion rather than relieve it.

Finding Balance

Quiet quitting can be a wake-up call about the need for work-life balance. Instead of fully disengaging, there are better approaches:

• Communicate expectations clearly with managers.
• Set healthy boundaries, such as not checking work emails after hours.
• Dedicate time to real self-care: exercise, journaling, or quality time with loved ones.
• Reassess long-term goals: is your current job aligned with the life you want?

By doing so, quiet quitting becomes not an escape, but a turning point toward a healthier and more meaningful work relationship.