Gen Z mocked for taking months off at a time to 'micro-retire' and 'optimise their mental health' (when they're really just going on holiday!)

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Young people are pledging to take 'mini-retirements' throughout their careers to maintain a better work-life balance.

A new trend has emerged on TikTok that sees Gen Z workers from around the world vowing to take periodic breaks from the office to protect their 'mental health' - despite being several decades away from the retirement age.

According to Gen Z, 'micro-retiring' allows them to focus on themselves, 'make the most of youth', and 'optimise [their] mental health'. 

'It's basically where, throughout your career, you time off instead of waiting [or] deferring [till] you're older to take all of your retirement,' one TikTok user explained. 

The time off can vary from a few week to a year - with people using the career breaks to travel or work on their own projects. 

However, some have been more sceptical of the trend - with one person writing: 'The American mind cannot comprehend long term leave so they invent micro retirement'.

Another added:  'Isn't this just going on holiday?'

Young people are pledging to take 'mini-retirements' throughout their careers to maintain a better work life balance. In one video, British creator, Adama Lorna, (pictured) described the phenomenon. 'It's this idea that instead of waiting until you we're 60 or 70 to travel the world and try and indulge in this hobbies, you do them when you have your youth, energy and health - you dot them around your life' 

In the UK, the earliest that men and women can access their State Pension is 66.

However, this is likely to be higher for Gen Z since the the age of retirement is expected to gradually increase beginning 6 May 2026.

The phrase 'micro-retirement' was first described in The 4-Hour Workweek, a self-help and careers guidance book published by the entrepreneur, Tim Ferris, in 2007. 

With a four-hour work week being an unlikely reality for most Brits, many have taken heed of other ideas in the book, such as the 'micro-retirement'.

In one video, British creator Adama Lorna summarised the phenomenon by saying: 'It's this idea that instead of waiting until you we're 60 or 70 to travel the world and try and indulge in this hobbies, you do them when you have your youth, energy and health - you dot them around your life

'This retirement frees up your mind to think about so many other things,' she continued, insisting the 'uninterpreted' time can give way to 'fulfilment within'. 

In another video, an American creator who goes by the name anaisfelt described her experience living in a 'mini-retirement'.

'I am currently in a mini-retirement. I actually took off six months from my corporate job and I've just started interviewing again,' she told viewers. 

Another TikToker described quitting their corporate job to focus on taking time to themselves

'I planned on taking six months to a year off and I have never felt better. I've never felt healthier, I've never felt more rested, it's been amazing and I highly recommend it.' 

While some might worry that an extended period out of the workplace could impact their career trajectory and growth, Anaïs maintained that her employers 'don't care' about the 'micro-retirement'. 

'I will say I am interviewing with some of the top companies in tech right now and none of them seem to care,' she insisted. 

Commenting on the video, several TikTok users asked how she managed to afford the break from work, which she responded to by insisting she 'saved' in advance.

Another wondered how one would transition back to work after a big break, asking 'How do you possibly go back to work after the break?' 

Founder of Practice Aptitude Tests, Guy Thornton, remarked on the trend. 'As the younger generations have begun to normalise a heavier focus on well-being and a good work-life balance, comes a new career trend. Instead of waiting until retirement to travel the world, Gen Z is taking time between jobs to have time out.

'Whether it's time off to travel, to have a well-deserved break from working, or to take up other passions, the micro-retirement trend is the latest buzz in the world of corporate work.

'Younger people prioritise mental health, personal fulfilment, and meaningful experiences over a singular focus on career longevity and progression,' he added.

He also cited 'social media' as playing a part in encouraging young people to embark on the trend. 

Meanwhile, as he pointed out: 'Data from a recent survey has revealed that 45 per cent of Britons expect to work past the average retirement age, with three in four saying they have done little to no financial planning.

'Looking into these statistics, it's evident that people are starting to acknowledge they may work well into their 70s, which is why they are planning periodic rest rather than deferring all leisure to later years.

Another, American creator Leona Marlene waxed lyrical about her 'mini-retirement' after having been 'laid off' from a job she 'hated' two years prior - with her partner having decided to be out of work for five years.

'This has been the best decision we ever could have made for ourselves,' she enthused. 'We just feel like we are living so much more.'

She continued: 'You can do whatever with your time. Things are changing for millennials and Gen Z. You don't need to sit in office for 40-hours a week.'

'I really think owning your own time is the biggest gift of wealth that you can have and that you can ever give yourself.' 

However, taking time off with no income isn't realistic for everyone. One commenter on the video remarked: 'My parents won't be able to retire at 65. 70 is unlikely for most millennials. Most of us are just getting by - quitting and taking that much time off is so impractical especially for the majority of people.'

Another asked: 'How do you both make your money?'  

A third 'micro-retiree' took to TikTok to detail her experience after taking an 'adult gap-year' following a brief career in strategy consulting.

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Creator Brit Foley said: 'When you're in corporate American, there's so much pressure to never take time off and chase promotion cycles and there's so much burnout and if you have a gap on your resume, does that make you less attractive to employers and getting out that mind-set was such a nice break.' 

'There's things outside the corporate bubble. You should make the most of your youth and take time off when you can,' she asserted.

She explained that she had taken a year off from work to focus on writing her book. Having lost her parents at a young age, she didn't have any 'dependants' and felt she had little to lose. 

Speaking to The Cut, she said she moved to a cheaper apartment and cut down her living costs, while working shifts at a local restaurant, to help tide her over during the break. 

'Taking an adult-gap year helped me to learn more about myself and meet new people and try new experiences and I'm so glad I did it.'

Brit also declared she would take more time off in the future, concluding that 'there is more to life than your job and career.'

The rise of 'micro-retiring' comes after a study revealed that Gen Z - born between 1996 and 2012 - do not want to work a 9-5 job for the rest of their lives. 

The poll found that 76 per cent of young people plan to be their own boss in the future and do not want to work for someone else 'forever'.

Meanwhile, 39 per cent of the budding young entrepreneurs also believed that they could run a business from their phones and 45 per cent said they could make a living from social media.

The poll by Santander also found that 77 per cent of respondents believed their future business venture would be successful.