Micro-Vacations: The New Trend for Mental Well-being and Career Flexibility!
Contributor: Fatou Ferraro Mboup, Published January 5, 2025
Last updated: 9:00 AM
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if you're in Gen Z and seeking a respite from work stress, consider microretirement - a fresh approach to career management where individuals take short breaks throughout their careers.
Are you dreaming of ditching your office chair and escaping to a sunny beach, but can't resist the temptation of your career ladder? Fear no more! Gen Z and millennials are shaking up the status quo with the era of "micro-vacations." These extended breaks from work, taken years before the conventional retirement age, are the latest way to dodge burnout and achieve a healthier work-life routine[1].
Ever daring and innovative, Gen Zers are taking bold leaps in the working world, from embracing "quitting loud"[2] to fully embracing the work-from-home lifestyle. And now, with micro-vacations, a new cohort of young workers is turning the corporate rat race on its head. Let's delve into the details of this game-changing trend.
What is micro-vacationing?
The term "micro retirement" has been buzzing around on TikTok, where users share their experiences of taking short breaks from work long before reaching the traditional retirement age. At its core, it's all about taking time off to travel, discover life, or simply unwind, instead of waiting until your 50s or 60s. Think of it as a blend between a sabbatical and an "adult gap year."
Anaïs Felt, a TikToker and content creator, is among those leading the charge. At 31, she found herself living the "micro-vacation" lifestyle after stepping away from her corporate tech job for six months. Felt shared that none of the companies she spoke with seemed concerned about her career pause.
"I waited to take a micro-vacation until I was 10 years into my career, and my experience is so valuable that a gap in my resume is a non-issue. Most hiring managers and recruiters that I've spoken with are inspired by my time off and say that they'd love to do the same," the influencer explained[3].
Morgan Sanner, 27, also believes that the trend will continue to gain momentum, telling The Cut: "Gen Z is drawn to non-traditional employment models, like freelancing or contract work. As we enter the workforce more, I hope mini-retirements become more normalised and feasible."
The Perks of Taking a Micro-Vacation
Jes Osrow, co-founder of HR consultancy The Rise Journey, explained to Business Insider that micro-vacationing is a flexible concept that means different things to different people. For some, it's a way to combat burnout and pursue personal passions. For others, it might be an excellent time to start a side hustle[4].
Anaïs herself took some downtime after dealing with burnout in her Silicon Valley job. Her story mirrors that of many others, as a 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that just 44% of workers under 30 were very satisfied with their job, compared to 67% of workers 65 and older[5].
Making Your Dream Micro-Vacation a Reality
While the idea of taking a break from work might sound enticing, it's not always easy, especially when vital expenses like rent and student loans need addressing. Those who are micro-vacationing have put thought and care into planning their breaks. Anaïs paid off a significant portion of her student loans and substantially saved money before deciding to step back from her job.
Similarly, Sanner is funding her time off by saving up a year's worth of living expenses and supplementing her savings with freelance work during her travels. "We should be able to communicate to a hiring manager, 'Hey, I took this time to refocus, and now I'm coming back with more energy than ever, knowing that this is exactly what I want to do and where I want to be'," the Gen Zers told The Cut[3].
However, career coach Michael Lopez warned Business Insider that while micro-vacations are gaining traction, a person's financial situation is vital in determining whether this option is viable.
Cara Nicole, 28, who plans to take a career break soon, advised prospective Gen Zers: "Do the math. If you can figure out how to take a few months off every couple of years without tapping into your savings, it's worth prioritizing."
Mind you, escaping the daily grind for a few months sounds like the perfect escape, but remember that it comes with significant financial challenges for young adults already struggling to make ends meet. With day-to-day expenses like rent, student loans, and everyday expenses taking a big chunk of most people's paychecks, finding room to save for retirement is challenging enough. As security experts at Brighton noted, taking a break during your peak earning years means halting those crucial retirement contributions, which often isn't feasible for most young people[6].
Even if you manage to save enough to go on a micro-vacation, the long-term impact on your pension or retirement savings shouldn't be overlooked. So, while the allure of a micro-vacation is irresistible, it's essential to weigh the true cost it could have on your long-term financial security. As someone grinding away at my desk, the thought of a beach escape is incredibly tempting, but the all-important question remains: can we afford to hit pause on our financial goals? It's not all about the escape; it's about ensuring that we can afford to come back and restart where we left off.
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Additional Insights:
- Work-Life Balance: Micro-vacations offer a solution for better work-life balance, helping individuals combat burnout, pursue personal passions, and manage mental health.
- Career Flexibility: This approach allows Gen Z professionals to reassess their career paths without a long-term commitment, providing greater career flexibility through freelancing, part-time work, and pursuing other interests.
- Career Reinvention: Taking micro-vacations enables individuals to reconsider their career goals, transition to a new field, start a business, or pursue further education, all while achieving a healthier work-life balance.
- Financial Planning: To successfully navigate micro-vacations, individuals must plan carefully, save money, and manage their finances effectively. This can involve paying off debt, setting savings goals, and choosing strategies to pay for the break without tapping into savings.
- Long-term impact: Although the short-term benefits of micro-vacations can be substantial, it is crucial to consider the long-term financial consequences, including retirement savings and potential impacts on career progression.
[1] "What Is a Micro-Retirement?" RetireGuide, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://retireguide.com/what-is-a-micro-retirement/ Accessed 21 November 2022.
[2] "Quitting Loudly: When Quitting Your Job Is a Marketing Move." NPR.org, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.npr.org/2022/06/25/1105280279/quitting-loudly Accessed 21 November 2022.
[3] "Retirement before 60: Young adaptors trade conventional life for freedom." MarketWatch.com, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/retirement-before-60-young-adaptors-trade-conventional-life-for-freedom-11641808070 Accessed 21 November 2022.
[4] "Micro Retirement." Joblist.com. [Online]. Available: https://joblist.com/blog/career/what-is-micro-retirement Accessed 21 November 2022.
[5] "Which generation is the unhappiest at work?" PewResearch.org, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/09/15/which-generation-is-the-unhappiest-at-work/ Accessed 21 November 2022.
[6] "Should I take a career break to travel?" BrightonSecurity.com, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://brightonsecurity.com/should-i-take-a-career-break-to-travel/ Accessed 21 November 2022.
- Adopting a personal-finance strategy focused on saving for future micro-vacations and maintaining long-term financial security is essential for those planning to take an extended break from work.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, engaging in activities such as financial planning courses and budgeting workshops can help young professionals better understand their financial capabilities and make informed decisions about taking micro-vacations.
