Gen-Zers Opting for “Career Minimalism” Are Proving to Be Happier, Healthier, and Wealthier

Like many, I grew up under the assumption that career success was only possible by climbing the corporate ladder, securing the corner office, and chasing larger paychecks. So, I went to college, entered corporate America, and walked straight into the “hustle culture era” of the 2010s, characterized by the glorification of a 24/7 work ethic and a work-centric identity.

But as Gen Z began entering the workforce, they (thankfully) started asking, “What are we hustling for? Is it all really worth it? Isn’t there more to life than work?” Working long hours, performative professionalism, and rising to the top don’t carry the same appeal as they once did—and for good reasons. Instead, Gen Zers are relieving themselves of the pressure to race to the top and rebalancing how work fits into their lives through “career minimalism.”

Ahead, I’m breaking down what “career minimalism” is, the underlying reasons Gen Zers are pursuing it (hint: not laziness), and how it might shift the future of work.

What is “career minimalism?”

“Career minimalism” is a growing workplace phenomenon that many Gen Z professionals are embracing in favor of sustainability, characterized by stable day jobs that offer healthy boundaries and a sense of stability, rather than a nonstop hustle.

Those who practice “career minimalism” don’t center their identities around their work, meaning they pursue passions, hobbies, and other interests outside of their day job for a more well-rounded identity. Essentially, their careers are a minor part of their lives and who they are, so they have more time and space to pursue other things that matter to them.

Why are Gen Zers choosing “career minimalism?”

On the surface, “career minimalism” may appear to be a rejection of the willingness to “go above and beyond.” But when we dig deeper, there are a handful of factors at play causing the pursuit of “career minimalism,” including:

Rising job insecurity and instability across the market

Gone are the days of the mid-20th-century long-term, stable jobs in which some employees stayed with a single employer for their entire careers. According to Glassdoor research, 70 percent of Gen Z respondents say that AI at work has made them question their job security, leading to increased anxiety. Not to mention that Gen Z started their careers during a time of significant disruption and increased competition, creating additional challenges for them to get a job (and keep ’em). Chasing “dream jobs” and hoping they’ll last forever feels straight-up unrealistic in this day and age.

As the job market has evolved, loyalty to employers, as well as the notion that one must stay in the same line of work for the duration of their career, is causing Gen Zers to disentangle from their career identities altogether. These days, work is simply an activity that funds the rest of their lives.

Strategic shift toward multiple income streams

Given the job market instability and insecurity, many Gen Zers are pursuing multiple income streams, often in the form of side hustles, driven by a combination of desire and necessity. From a financial perspective, Gen Z carries a significant student loan burden, necessitating a need for more income than their day job provides. However, some Gen Zers are also leaning into side hustles as a form of autonomous, creative outlet that also happens to provide additional income.

No matter the driver, one thing is clear: Gen Z is opening up more opportunities for professional and financial success beyond the traditional career ladder. “Career minimalism” helps Gen Z set boundaries between their “day job” and their free time, allowing them to have more headspace and time to pursue additional income streams if they choose.

Differing values from those of older generations

Each generation experienced different social, political, and technological (or lack thereof) environments growing up, and Gen Z is no different. Born and raised in a digitalized society marked by widespread economic and health disruptions, Gen Zers entered the workforce with admirable priorities: valuing truth-telling, aligning with their employers’ values, and prioritizing mental health.

“Gen Z is redefining success… they’re replacing tangible wealth with emotional and physical wealth to create a life that feels good, not just one that looks good.”

According to Gen-Zer Zoe Ziegler, the pandemic heavily influenced what Gen Z is willing to tolerate in the workplace. “It seemed that if society could adapt to different ways of working overnight (think: endless Zoom calls), then there’s much more change that can happen,” says Ziegler. “Experiencing this shift opened our eyes to the idea that we don’t have to follow the same path those before us have, but we can create our own, even one that aligns with our values and goals.”

Stability, loyalty, and upward mobility once served older generations. Gen Z prioritizes mental health, work-life balance, and flexibility, and they’re willing to chase organizations and opportunities that support these values. Practicing “career minimalism” and detaching their identities from work allows them to move around more freely, pursuing the environments they want to be in rather than feeling attached to a title or brand.

Shifting perspectives on management and leadership roles

Some Gen Zers are leaning into another recent trend, “conscious unbossing”—the intentional decision to reject traditional leadership roles. While jobs in middle management may have previously been necessary stepping stones for forward career trajectories, Gen Z workers have had a front-row seat in witnessing their parents and their own direct managers burn out. Additionally, they’re considering whether they have the desire and skills to step into a management role, while weighing these factors against the level of anticipated stress.

These observations and shifts are leading to a collective feeling that what lies beyond working yourself to the bone (more money, more pressure) isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. For many, the rewards aren’t worth the chase, and practicing “career minimalism” helps them set these boundaries.

How will “career minimalism” shift the future of work?

Gen Z’s tilt toward “career minimalism” has significant implications for today’s corporate culture and the future of work. I spoke with Dr. Kelly Monahan, organizational psychologist, former tech executive, and bestselling author, to understand the impacts.

MEET THE EXPERT

Dr. Kelly Monahan

Dr. Kelly Monahan is a behavioral scientist, best-selling author, and global expert on the future of work. Her research explores how technology and human motivation shape modern organizations. She has held executive roles at Meta, Upwork, Accenture, and Deloitte and is the author of Essential and the forthcoming We’ve Lost the Plot. Kelly’s insights have been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Bloomberg TV.

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Purpose will outweigh prestigious titles

“We’re entering a moment where small is beautiful. Gen Z will choose smaller, more flexible organizations that actually allow them to live out ‘career minimalism,’” Dr. Monahan said. With a shift toward the desire for purposeful work over corner office titles, organizations that want to retain top talent may need to consider their hierarchies, employee benefits, and the cultures they create. Organizations may see a decline in interest in senior-level and C-Suite titles, as younger employees seek opportunities that prioritize flexibility, work-life balance, and purpose-driven work.

Solopreneurship will rise in popularity

When Gen Zers and other “career minimalism” pursuers can’t find an opportunity that meets their needs and desires, they may opt to create their own instead. “Instead of climbing someone else’s ladder, Gen Z will be more inclined to design their own. They want to be their own bosses and create environments that actually fit their lives. I think we will see a rise in solo ventures, creative brands, and boutique consultancies as work becomes less about climbing and more about creating,” Dr. Monahan told me.

What previously defined the “American Dream” will shift

“For decades, success meant college, career, house, and family, but that equation no longer adds up. It’s really a rewrite of the American Dream,” Dr. Monahan explained. As trust between corporations and younger workers has eroded, and younger generations experience more barriers to the once-loved American Dream, the “traditional” path will change accordingly.

“What lies beyond working yourself to the bone (more money, more pressure) isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.”

For some, the traditional path may still ring true. However, for many Gen Z workers and younger workers, these conventional markers of success—such as attending college, buying a house, and starting a family—are becoming less feasible. No path is right or wrong; we’ll just see more variety in terms of priorities and the paths people pursue.

Dr. Monahan said, “Between student debt and the cost of living, Gen Z is redefining success around flexibility, wellness, and time. The new dream is less about ownership and more about autonomy. They’re replacing tangible wealth with emotional and physical wealth to create a life that feels good, not just one that looks good.”

Workplace community-building will dwindle, leading to connections elsewhere

As with all shifts that offer positive promise, “career minimalism” isn’t without some potential drawbacks worth paying attention to. “Of course, there’s a trade-off. With so much flexibility, a community can become harder to build. When your career path is fluid, you don’t always get the long-term relationships that come from staying in one place,” Dr. Monahan mentioned.

For many, workplace relationships with colleagues and managers open the door to new opportunities, whether within the organization they’re a part of or elsewhere entirely. Given that we spend so much of our time working, it’s unsurprising that we’ve historically built communities around it (e.g., long tenures, office happy hours, and working long hours together). But perhaps a shift in workplace community-building will pave the way for more intentional community-building in the future:

“Gen Z will likely find a sense of belonging outside of work—in digital communities, creative circles, or values-based groups. Their identity won’t be tied to a company; it’ll be forged elsewhere, and maybe that’s the point,” Dr. Monahan said.

Is “career minimalism” for everyone?

Practicing “career minimalism” isn’t for everyone. Your life circumstances, career goals, and how you choose to build your personal identity all influence whether or not “career minimalism” will work for you. “Career minimalism” is most effective for individuals who prioritize personal fulfillment, mental health, and autonomy, while acknowledging that it may involve some additional sacrifices. With that said, it’s simply one way of engaging with work, not the only right way.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alyssa Towns, Contributing Career & Finance Writer

Alyssa Towns is a Denver-based writer and communications professional whose writing and expertise have appeared in Business Insider, Clockwise, G2, The Knot, Passion Planner, Thrive Global, and more. In addition to being a freelance writer, Alyssa has a background in internal communications and change management and is passionate about helping humans thrive in the workplace.

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