Gen Z and the art of pausing life without guilt to recharge

Embracing 'bed-rotting' as a form of self-care challenges hustle culture, offering a guilt-free break to recharge and relax.

In a world dominated by hustle culture and an ever-present fear of missing out, taking time for oneself can seem daunting and guilt-inducing. We’ve been conditioned to equate constant busyness with productivity, but Gen Z is challenging this belief by embracing the concept of ‘hurkle durkling’ — an old Scottish term for lying in bed and relaxing — now known as bed-rotting.

This practice encourages pausing life without guilt, offering a break from stress and a space to recharge. While the term may carry an ironic undertone, it marks a significant shift towards prioritising self-care and finding peace amid life’s demands.

“I look at bed-rotting as a leisurely activity that helps me recover mentally, especially when I am burnt out. It gives me time to process things in a calmer state,” says S. Kavya, 24, an information technology consultant.

Kunal, 20, says, “It’s a much-needed escape from the constant rush of life. It helps me clear my mind and feel refreshed.” Nandhini (name changed), 20, occasionally practises bed-rotting when she is feeling tired and unmotivated. But she looks at it as a form of resting and recharging

For Yokesh A., 24, a consultant, watching true crime documentaries on YouTube, listening to music, or doomscrolling through social media are his ways of bed-rotting. Meanwhile, Kavya finds solace in reading fanfiction that provides an escape from the realities of everyday life. For Nandhini, binge eating and thinking about life helps her prepare herself for the future.

One might confuse procrastination with bed-rotting but they are not synonymous. The latter is a conscious effort at self-care and is a healthy activity with a break from the constant pressure of productivity and doing a better job in hand. “Bed-rotting makes me procrastinate but I know I would do a worse job if I don’t make time for myself,” says Kavya. “It helps me calm stress and anxiety, helping me think better,” she adds.

For Nandhini, taking a break from this hustle culture sometimes makes her feel guilty and pressurised because the culture values constant productivity and she feels she is lagging behind but she still needs her space to process things and emotions. “However, it is the procrastination that creates pressure on me and not bed-rotting,” adds Yokesh. Kunal says, “Sometimes, I feel like I’m wasting time but I have to remind myself that rest is productive and essential for long-term well-being.”