In China, young people have grown weary of the “9 to 5” high-intensity work life and are opting for “naked resignation.” The term “9 to 5” refers to shuttling between home and the workplace daily.
On the Chinese social media platform Weibo, there are numerous discussions around “naked resignation.” Topics range from questions like “How much money should you save before quitting?” to “Three things to consider before resigning naked” and “20 jobs to try after naked resignation.” Naked resignation refers to quitting a job without securing a new one beforehand.
In recent years, struggles with long working hours and low wages have driven Chinese young people to share their thoughts on life, work, and career on social media.
Associate Professor of Sociology at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Chen Huiling, told “Business Insider”, “Securing a decent job at a large tech company is a common dream for young elite university graduates.”
However, achieving success in China’s challenging tech industry requires dedicating all one’s time and energy, blurring the boundaries between work and family.
Laurence Lim, the founder of the New York marketing consultancy Cherry Blossoms Intercultural Branding, also told “Business Insider” that economic downturns and corporate culture make Chinese young people feel like they are mere cogs in a big company machine.
“They often feel disillusioned and demoralized,” Lim said.
This monotony and overwork have left some young people struggling to cope, prompting them to post videos of their “naked resignations” online, aiming to take some time off to adjust and adapt in a distant place.
In a Weibo discussion thread with a tagline “Young nurse resigns naked and flees after 6 years in a top-tier hospital,” a doctor wrote, “Flee if you must. I did the same. I felt like I was going to die if I didn’t escape. The world feels much broader after coming out. With the experience of working in a top-tier hospital, finding new employment won’t be difficult.”
Discussions on Weibo also revolve around “naked resignations.” One netizen mentioned resigning because they wanted to “take a break for a while.”
“In the past two years, my salary increased every six months, but I always believed that the most important thing in my life should not be work,” they wrote.
They shared their post-resignation plans – learning English, working out, becoming a good cook, and traveling to “see all the beautiful sceneries I never had time to see.”
As a popular internet saying goes, “Now that I’ve quit, let’s reclaim the sunsets I missed while working!”
“I don’t know if my life will be better after this ‘naked resignation.’ But I know if I stay the same, the things I was too afraid to do at 28 will be things I’ll never try when I’m older,” the individual wrote. “Life is short, and there is no better time than now.”
Unlike the previous generation, the younger generation is more prone to questioning the current job situation and finding resonance through social media.
Before “naked resignations,” another term used among Chinese young people was “lying flat.” Currently, a new popular internet slang term has emerged – Gai Liuzi. This is a phrase in Northeastern dialect used to mock oneself for lacking a plan and wandering in life.
“This reflects a relaxed attitude, with young people proudly breaking free from traditional chaos to enjoy life,” Lim said.
However, the job prospects for Chinese young people at present are not favorable. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics of the Chinese Communist Party, in December 2023, the unemployment rate was 14.9% for the age group of 16-24, 6.1% for 25-29, and 3.9% for 30-59.
Hence, on social media, there are often posts from older individuals advising young people not to impulsively resort to “naked resignations.”
“In a society like China, individuals do not have many chances for trial and error, or wasted opportunities in life,” one post stated.