With the downward trend of the Chinese economy, residents’ incomes are continuously decreasing, leading to increasing pressure to make ends meet. On October 21st, the topic labeled as “Now is the Era of Survival” surged to the top of trending topics on Weibo.
According to various online sources, “The era of striving for life at all costs is over, now is the era of survival” has become the hottest social mentality topic of 2026. The narrative on social media has shifted from the era of overextending oneself, staying up late and working overtime to accumulate wealth to the era that emphasizes physical and mental health, and inner stability.
This shift is driven by the slowing economic growth and intensifying competition in the job market. Many have realized that the rewards of pushing themselves to the limit are diminishing, while the risk of physical breakdown is on the rise. The increasing number of cases in funeral homes of individuals from the post-80s and post-90s generations who passed away early due to long-term overwork and stress has become a poignant wake-up call in this era.
Health blogger “Dr. Almond” posted, “Some say that in front of the crematorium, there are more and more figures of the post-80s and post-90s generations. They were the backbone of their families with elderly parents and young children to take care of, but due to long-term overwork, stress, and neglect of self-care, they prematurely reached the end of their lives. Always remember: the era of striving for life at all costs is over, now is the era of survival.”
Real estate blogger “Old Rabbit” remarked, “Lately, there has been an increase in content like this, and no wonder young people are living more conscious lives. This is an era of survival, not an era of pushing oneself to the limit.”
Self-proclaimed Deputy General Manager of Beijing Datong Holy Fire Energy Technology Co., “One Truth,” wrote, “The era of striving for life at all costs is over, now is the era of survival. In the past, everyone competed for houses, cars, and money. Now, the competition is about who can sleep well and maintain a stable mentality. Look around you, everyone is anxious, sleepless at night. If you can still eat and sleep well at this time, it is a form of resilience. There’s no need to compare with anyone; when the whole family is well-fed, clothed, healthy, peaceful in mind and body, leading an ordinary life, that’s the greatest blessing.”
“Jin Hanmu” expressed, “The era of striving for life at all costs is long gone. In the era of survival, every action you take is to safely live on without worrying about others’ judgments. In the past, it was often said, ‘Only by striving can one win,’ because that was the era of growth: there were many opportunities and a high tolerance for mistakes. Now, many fields have entered the era of competition in existing resources, where controlling risks, preserving strength, and avoiding a single mistake that wipes out years of hard work are crucial.”
Financial writer “Yuan Guobao” stated, “The era of striving for life at all costs is over; now is the era of survival. There are many things you win by not doing. As long as you don’t overindulge, don’t stay up late, don’t get angry, engage in moderate exercise, and completely stay away from people and things that drain you, living a healthy life is reaping the benefits of this era. This is the ultimate victory.”