Quitting: A New Term for an Old Struggle?
The internet loves a buzzword, and the latest to take the digital world by storm is ‘quiet quitting.’ This seemingly innocuous phrase has sparked heated debates about work-life balance, employee engagement, and the very nature of a job in today’s world. But is ‘quiet quitting’ really a new phenomenon, or is it simply a trendy rebranding of an age-old practice: setting boundaries?
From Hustle Culture to the Great Resignation: Understanding the Backdrop
To fully grasp the ‘quiet quitting’ phenomenon, we need to consider the context in which it emerged. The past decade has seen the rise (and some would argue, the fall) of ‘hustle culture’ – a relentless pursuit of professional success often at the expense of personal well-being. Burnout became a badge of honor, and the pressure to constantly go above and beyond became the norm.
Enter the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a collective pause and prompted many to re-evaluate their priorities. The Great Resignation followed, with millions leaving their jobs in search of greater flexibility, better work-life balance, and a renewed sense of purpose. It’s against this backdrop that ‘quiet quitting’ emerged, reflecting a growing sentiment among employees: the desire to work to live, not live to work.
