top of page

FOLLOW US

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Threads
  • LinkedIn

Micro-Retirement: The Bold Burnout Fix Millennials and Gen Z Are Embracing

  • Writer: Niki Kay | Wellness Podcast Host | Guest Writer
    Niki Kay | Wellness Podcast Host | Guest Writer
  • Apr 14

Burnout has become so normal we think it’s just part of life. We tie our worth to how hard we work, how much we earn, and how many fancy things we own, only to be too exhausted to enjoy any of it. Hustle culture sold us a dream of grinding now and living later at sixty-something, if we even made it that far and still had good health. It’s a gamble many take without realizing the cost: stress, anxiety, and disconnection in the forty-something years in the workforce leading up to it.

Micro-Retirement: The Bold Burnout Fix Millennials and Gen Z Are Embracing

A new generation is breaking free with a bold idea—micro-retirement.


Before this, we saw the great resignation, a mass wake-up call sparked by the pandemic. People quit their jobs to chase dreams, move where they actually wanted to live, travel, and finally prioritize family, freedom, and self-care. But not everyone could sustain that lifestyle. Rising costs pushed people back into traditional jobs, and balancing dreams with real-life bills got stressful.


Next entered quiet quitting: doing the job without overextending and embracing remote work to reclaim time and autonomy. This shift led to the rise of the digital nomad lifestyle, living and working from anywhere in the world. But even that came with tradeoffs of juggling multiple gigs, time zones, and eventually, burnout again.



What is Micro-Retirement?


Unlike traditional retirement or sabbaticals, micro-retirement offers a middle ground, allowing individuals to take intentional career breaks between jobs to focus on travel, passion projects, starting businesses or simply living life on their own terms.


According to The Guardian, micro-retirement is being embraced by Gen Z and late millennials as “a brilliant fix for burnout”. Unlike sabbaticals, which often come with the expectation of returning to the same job or company, micro-retirement is a deliberate pause with no guaranteed plan of returning to the same field or employer. It’s an intentional career break focused on living life now, rather than waiting on a retirement fund to finally live their dreams.


How It Works: Strategy Over Spontaneity


Micro-retirement in a nutshell means working a high-paying job for two to three years and saving aggressively during that time. Along the way, you also build transferable skills and gain experience that can be used across different jobs or industries.


How comfortably you can take your micro-retirement depends on how aggressive your strategy is. For example, working as an accountant at a Big 4 firm can be a great starting point—you earn well, build a strong network, and gain valuable experience. Later, those same skills and connections can help you launch your own business, where having a basic understanding of finance is a huge plus, or you might tap into your network to find investors who believe in your vision.


Others might use this break to travel more, explore passion projects, or dive into freelance work. The possibilities are endless.


End of the day, it is all about shifting away from outdated beliefs about how a career “should” look. The ultimate goal? To live a more fulfilling life on your own terms by prioritizing well-being, purpose, and burnout recovery.


Health & Wellness Benefits of Micro-Retirement


The traditional American Dream no longer appeals to younger generations, especially if it comes at the cost of their mental health and wellbeing. Instead, there’s been a major shift toward prioritizing freedom and self-exploration.



One of the biggest perks micro-retirees experience is reduced stress. Not having to clock in every day brings an immediate sense of relief. Better sleep cycles are also common. Believe it or not, not waking up to an alarm every morning is one of life’s most underrated luxuries.


Plus, without being stuck at a desk all day, young retirees have more opportunities to move their bodies. That could look like a random mid-day walk or a relaxed grocery run to cook a healthier meal, instead of rushing to throw something together that's quick but not necessarily nourishing.


By focusing on their individual well-being, retirees are able to fill their own cups first. This allows them to show up more fully for their loved ones and enjoy quality time together—without being mentally drained or emotionally checked out.


One can’t argue that the biggest benefit of this lifestyle? Having your money, health, and time all working for you at once, unlike traditional retirees, who may have the money and the time, but not always the health to fully enjoy either.


How to Plan Your Micro-Retirement


Like any unconventional lifestyle choice, micro-retirement requires careful planning and financial preparation to be sustainable. Here’s how to do it right:


  1. Budget and Save Aggressively: While working, build a strong financial foundation to support your micro-retirement without financial strain.


  2. Secure a Safety Net: Have savings for essentials like rent, food, and medical emergencies you can live on without relying on a steady paycheck.


  3. Plan for Travel Costs: If your goal is to travel during your micro-retirement, research destinations and plan for “worst-case-scenario” estimate of expenses.


  4. Build Alternative Income Streams: Freelancing, investing, or working on a side hustle can help sustain your lifestyle during micro-retirement.


Conclusion


By taking a strategic approach, micro-retirement allows individuals to experience the freedom of retirement at multiple points in life, rather than waiting until old age. It’s a lifestyle that prioritizes living fully, avoiding burnout, and redefining success on one's own terms.



References:

 
Carlie Malott

Niki Kay

Host of the Mindset Mentress Podcast | Guest Writer of Moody Melon Magazine

I'm a writer, podcast host, and entrepreneur focused on self-discovery and transformation. Through my podcast, Mindset Mentress, I share insights on authenticity and growth. Currently pursuing a journalism certification at NYU to enhance my storytelling and impact.

 

More Related Articles:


Is It Really That Offensive to Say I Don’t Love Myself? You Might Be Surprised

  • Writer: Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
    Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
  • Dec 22, 2024

In a world that constantly encourages self-love and positivity, it can feel almost offensive to say I don’t love myself, as if admitting such a thing makes me weak or unworthy. The pressure to always feel good about ourselves can make it seem offensive to say I don’t love myself, but in reality, it’s a raw and honest expression of what so many people experience silently.

Is It Really That Offensive to Say I Don’t Love Myself? You Might Be Surprised

Self-love. It’s a term that gets tossed around a lot these days—on social media, in therapy sessions, and in the self-help books that promise us the world if we just “learn to love ourselves.” But here's the truth that no one likes to admit: It’s more common than you think to not love yourself. In fact, it might be more relatable than you’d expect.


Now, before you throw your hands up in disbelief or start mentally defending your self-worth, take a moment to think: how often do you criticize yourself? How many times have you looked in the mirror and felt disappointment or, worse, disgust? How frequently do you feel like you're just not enough?


We’ve all heard the phrase “you can’t love others until you love yourself,” but what if loving yourself feels impossible, or worse, offensive to admit? For some, saying “I don’t love myself” doesn’t feel like a simple expression of self-awareness—it feels like a betrayal of the very thing we’re supposed to strive for. After all, society, friends, family, and even our inner voices push us to believe that self-love is a requirement for mental health and happiness. But is that even realistic?


The Hidden Reality: Why Self-Love Feels Elusive


When we talk about self-love, we often envision unwavering confidence, positive affirmations, and a life filled with self-compassion. But the reality is far murkier. Self-love is not an all-or-nothing experience. It ebbs and flows, and for many, it feels more like a constant battle than a peaceful state of being.


If you’ve ever found yourself thinking:


  • “I don’t deserve to feel good about myself.”

  • “I should be further along in life by now.”

  • “I’m just not as good as other people.”


…you’re not alone. In fact, many people feel this way every single day. But society tells us to hide it. We're expected to fake it, put on a brave face, and pretend that everything is fine—even when it’s not.


And that’s where the problem lies. We’re conditioned to believe that self-love is an innate ability—something we should just “snap into” if we try hard enough. But for people who struggle with anxiety, depression, or past trauma, it can feel like trying to climb an emotional mountain that’s too steep and too slippery to reach the top.


The Pressure to "Love Yourself" Is Not Always Helpful


Self-love is often painted as a shiny, attainable goal: if you don’t love yourself, you’re broken, missing something, or failing at life. In reality, the path to self-love is a messy, ongoing journey. It isn’t just about chanting affirmations or making sure you practice mindfulness every day—it’s about accepting the parts of yourself you find unlovable, learning to be kind when you feel unworthy, and offering yourself grace when your self-criticism runs wild.


Let’s face it: telling someone who’s struggling to love themselves to “just love yourself” doesn’t help. For someone in a difficult mental space, these simple words can feel like a dismissal, or worse, a judgment of their worth. It’s like telling someone with a broken leg to “just walk it off.” It invalidates the complexity of their experience.


So, what does it really mean to love yourself, and why is it so hard to admit you don’t?


The Culture of Shame: Why We Can’t Say "I Don’t Love Myself"


We live in a culture that places a premium on perfection and achievement. We’re taught that we must be happy, positive, and confident all the time. Showing vulnerability or admitting that we don’t love ourselves feels almost like failing. The shame associated with struggling to accept yourself often makes it impossible to speak honestly about your inner experience.


And yet, saying "I don't love myself" is not as shocking as we might think. It’s actually a common experience for many people, and it’s absolutely okay to admit it. By naming it, we can start to understand it and break down the stigma surrounding our emotional struggles.


Reframing Self-Love: Small Steps Toward Radical Compassion


If you’re struggling to love yourself, here’s the good news: you don’t have to “love yourself” in the conventional sense to start healing. Sometimes, it’s about taking small, compassionate steps toward self-acceptance. Here’s how:


  1. Stop the Negative Self-Talk: Start paying attention to how you talk to yourself. Is your inner dialogue full of judgment? Begin by replacing harsh thoughts with neutral observations. For example, instead of saying, “I’m a failure,” try “I didn’t succeed this time, but I can learn from this.”


  2. Allow Yourself to Feel: Self-love isn’t about ignoring your emotions; it’s about embracing them. If you’re feeling low, let yourself feel low—without judgment. You are allowed to feel everything you feel, without labeling yourself as unworthy.


  3. Seek Support, Not Perfection: Reaching out for help doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means you’re human. Whether it’s through therapy, support groups, or confiding in friends, sharing your experience can help you begin to see yourself as worthy of love, even when you don’t feel it.


  4. Celebrate Small Wins: Self-love doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. It’s about recognizing the small victories: waking up, showing up, taking a shower, going to work. These are all acts of self-care, and they matter more than you might think.


  5. Understand Self-Love Is Not Perfection: Loving yourself doesn’t mean being perfect. It’s about being kind to yourself, even when you feel imperfect. Embrace your flaws as part of who you are, not as obstacles to self-love.


Breaking the Silence: Can We Talk About It?


So, here’s the question: Why is it so offensive to say “I don’t love myself,” and what would happen if we were all just a little more honest about it?


Maybe the real key to healing lies not in pretending to love ourselves all the time but in accepting that we can love ourselves even when we don’t feel it. Embracing the vulnerability of not being “okay” all the time could be the very thing that breaks us free from the shame and isolation we often experience. It’s okay not to have it all figured out. In fact, it’s more than okay—it’s essential to our collective healing.


By speaking honestly about our struggles, we open the door to compassion, connection, and ultimately, the kind of self-love that’s grounded in authenticity, not perfection.


 

More Related Articles:

The Power of Asking for Help: Why Support Is About Building Strength, Not Fixing Problems

  • Writer: Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
    Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
  • Dec 1, 2024

Support is about building strength, not simply fixing problems. It empowers us to face challenges on our own by providing encouragement, guidance, and the tools we need to realize our own resilience.

The Power of Forgiveness: Why Letting Go Isn't Always the Answer

We’ve all been there—facing a rough patch where the weight of life’s challenges seems unbearable. Whether it's dealing with stress, a tough breakup, anxiety, or mental health struggles, it's natural to want to turn to loved ones for support. But here's an important distinction: reaching out to others for help doesn't mean relying on them to fix things for you. True support is about turning to those who can help you build your strength and self-worth so that you can ultimately learn how to lift yourself up—and reclaim your own mental health.


The Difference Between Support and Dependency


There’s a fine line between leaning on others for comfort and relying on them to carry the weight of your problems. Support, at its core, is about connection—it’s about having someone to listen, to offer advice, or simply to remind you that you’re not alone. But, relying on loved ones to “fix” your problems can become an emotional crutch that delays personal growth and healing. In fact, relying too much on others to take away your pain or provide solutions can actually lead to feelings of helplessness and dependency.


The ultimate goal is to find strength from within, not just from others. Reaching out should be about gathering the courage to ask for help, knowing that the true work of healing and recovery is yours to do. Loved ones are there to help build you up—not to carry your burdens for you.


The Role of Support in Building Your Inner Strength


When you ask for help from friends, family, or a support system, what you’re really seeking is someone who can hold space for you without taking over your healing process. It’s about sharing your burden so that you don’t feel alone, but still having the autonomy to heal at your own pace. The right kind of support empowers you to stand up for yourself, to understand your worth, and to acknowledge your strength.


For example, imagine reaching out to a friend when you’re struggling with mental health. They might not be able to make the anxiety or depression go away, but they can offer empathy, validate your feelings, and help you brainstorm healthy coping mechanisms. This type of support can act as a catalyst, helping you discover tools you can use independently.


When your friends or family encourage you to take responsibility for your healing, they’re not abandoning you—they’re teaching you to stand strong on your own. They’re helping you realize your inner resilience and self-worth in ways that can ultimately make you stronger. Over time, you begin to see that the power to change lies within you, and external support only amplifies what you already have inside.


How to Use Support as a Stepping Stone to Self-Reliance


If the end goal of reaching out is to reclaim your mental health, how can you use support from others in a way that builds your independence? Here are a few strategies:


1. Seek Guidance, Not a Fix


When you talk to someone about a difficult situation, focus on seeking guidance rather than asking them to provide a solution. Ask for advice, feedback, or even a sounding board, but remember that it’s okay to make your own decisions.


2. Develop Coping Mechanisms


Supportive loved ones can help you identify tools that promote self-care—exercise, journaling, breathing exercises, or therapy. But ultimately, you’re the one who has to practice these skills regularly. Make a commitment to your own healing journey, while appreciating the encouragement your loved ones provide.


3. Learn to Be Your Own Cheerleader


Support from others is powerful, but you are the one who needs to validate your own progress. Celebrate the small victories—getting out of bed, completing a task, or managing a difficult emotion. When you’re able to be kind to yourself, you grow stronger and more confident in your ability to navigate life’s challenges.


4. Give Back to Your Support System


Once you’ve started building your strength and working through your struggles, remember to thank your friends and loved ones for their support. The best way to show gratitude is by doing the work to heal and reclaim your life. Your growth becomes the thank-you gift, proving that their support made a lasting difference in your life.


Reclaiming Your Mental Health: The Ultimate Goal


The ultimate goal of seeking support from loved ones is not to stay in a place of dependency, but to use that support as a tool for self-empowerment. Over time, as you begin to implement the strategies that work for you, you will find that you no longer need others to “fix” your problems. You will learn how to lift yourself up when times get tough. And when you’ve made it through, you can celebrate not only by spending time with those who supported you, but by showing them that you are strong enough to carry the weight on your own.


Healing doesn’t mean you never reach out—it means you reach out with the intention to grow stronger. Support is the bridge, but you are the one who walks across it. By cultivating your own strength, you’ll eventually be able to face whatever life throws at you, knowing that you have the power to overcome it all on your own—and that, ultimately, is the most powerful kind of recovery.


Conclusion


Reaching out for help is not about avoiding your problems or relying on others to carry the load. It’s about building your own strength and resilience, learning from your support system, and eventually learning how to stand on your own two feet. By seeking support and taking responsibility for your own healing, you can reclaim your mental health, rebuild your confidence, and move forward with the knowledge that you have everything within you to thrive.


The best way to say “thank you” to those who have helped you is by living your life to the fullest, healed and whole, and showing them how strong you really are.


 

More Related Articles:

bottom of page