The trend aims to prevent employees from experiencing burnout in their workplace.
If you’re just a few years into your career and already thinking about retirement, there’s a new trend that could be a great fit for you.
Called ‘microretirement,’ this trend has gained traction among Gen Z and millennials—generations far from retirement age but unwilling to accept decades of endless work ahead. After years of switching schools, exploring different hobbies, and beginning new careers, it can feel overwhelming to think that this is all there is.
As a result, young people are now pushing back, embracing the idea of taking breaks and rethinking their work-life balance.
What is ‘microretirement’?
The term is gaining popularity on TikTok, where users are sharing how they’re embracing mini-retirements long before reaching the typical retirement age. These creators are offering insights into how they’re stepping away from work for a while to recharge and pursue personal goals.
Essentially, the trend involves taking one or more breaks from work to experience life and travel while you’re still young, rather than waiting until retirement in your 50s or 60s. It’s akin to a sabbatical and is sometimes referred to as an ‘adult gap year.’ This concept allows individuals to step away from the grind and focus on personal growth and adventure before committing to the long-term work routine.
Who is ‘microretiring’?
TikToker and content creator Anaïs Felt is among those embracing the ‘microretirement’ trend. At just 31, she shared in a video that she’d heard the term and realized she was already living it after stepping back from her corporate tech job. “I actually took off six months ago […] and I’ve just started interviewing again,” she explained. She noted that none of the companies she interviewed with seemed concerned about her career break.
Another advocate of microretirement is 27-year-old Morgan Sanner, who spoke to The Cut: “I think Gen Z is interested in less traditional models of employment. For example, we’re far more likely to freelance or do contract work than previous generations. I hope that as we become a bigger part of the workforce, mini-retirements become more doable and more normalized.”
What are the benefits of ‘microretiring’?
Anaïs shared that during her break, she has “never felt better.” She added, “I’ve never felt healthier, I’ve never felt more rested, it’s been amazing, I highly recommend it.” She also expressed her belief that millennials in leadership roles are increasingly understanding and respecting the need for younger staff members to take time off to “recuperate.” This shift, she thinks, is making it easier for people to prioritize their well-being without the fear of judgment.
How can you take a ‘microretirement’?
While the idea of taking a break from work may seem appealing, it’s not without its challenges, especially when you need to pay bills and maintain a roof over your head. Those who are embracing ‘microretirements’ have made sure to plan ahead. Anaïs, for example, prepared for her time away by paying off a significant portion of her student loan and saving a “sizeable” sum of money.
She also emphasized an important caveat: “I also am childfree. I come from a low-income background and am the first person in my family to go to college and do this… so it is possible with the right strategy, grit, and resilience.”
Similarly, Sanner plans to finance her break by saving up a year’s worth of living expenses, as well as a dedicated fund for her time off. While traveling, she intends to continue freelance work to supplement her savings.
Cara Nicole, 28, who is also planning a career break soon, shared with The Cut: “Do the math. If you can figure out how to take a few months off every couple of years without dipping into your nest egg, it’s worth prioritizing.”
