Summary
Younger generations are embracing “micro-retirements,” short sabbaticals or lifestyle shifts, to combat burnout and improve work-life balance.
This trend is fueled by pandemic-related stress, declining workplace flexibility, and increased burnout reports.
Millennials and Gen Z, facing financial and mental health pressures, are prioritizing their well-being, even at the expense of promotions, as they reject the traditional career model of working until age 65.
Meanwhile, older generations like boomers and Gen X struggle to retire due to financial insecurity and rising costs, with many “unretiring” to stretch limited savings.
I can - not easily but with careful planning.
I’m able to work remotely and my partner is on disability so for the last three months of this year we’ve been in a significantly low CoL area of Spain with our costs only marginally higher than living at home in BC. When the cost of air travel and trains is amortized over three months it’s pretty minimal and we hunted for affordable long term accommodations.
It’s definitely a luxury not available to everyone, and we’re not staying in high class digs, but it’s worth skimping during the rest of the year to afford as we both deeply love being able to explore a new place.