For years, we’ve been bombarded with messages of “going the extra mile,” “being a team player,” and “living to work.” This “hustle culture” often glorifies overworking, blurring the lines between personal and professional life. Quiet quitting, in many ways, is a reaction to this unsustainable expectation. It’s about reclaiming personal time, prioritizing well-being, and setting boundaries between work life and personal life.

Is It Quiet Quitting or Setting Boundaries?

But is this really “quitting”? Or is it simply what should be considered a healthy approach to work? Let’s unpack the nuances:

Quiet Quitting

This often involves disengagement and a lack of enthusiasm for one’s job. It can manifest as doing the bare minimum, avoiding extra projects, and generally checking out mentally.

Setting Boundaries

This is a proactive and positive approach. It’s about clearly defining what you are willing to do at work and what falls outside those boundaries. It’s about prioritizing your time and energy, both professionally and personally.

The key difference lies in attitude and intention. Quiet quitting often stems from burnout and resentment, while setting boundaries is about taking control and advocating for your well-being.

Finding the Balance: My Take on Quiet Quitting

I believe in the power of setting healthy boundaries. It’s not about being lazy or disengaged. It’s about recognizing that we are multi-faceted individuals with lives outside of work. We have families, passions, and responsibilities that deserve our time and energy.

However, I also understand the sentiment behind quiet quitting. When we feel undervalued, overworked, and burnt out, it’s natural to want to withdraw and protect ourselves. In such cases, “quiet quitting” might be a symptom of a larger issue within the workplace—a lack of support, unrealistic expectations, or a toxic work environment.