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Being unemployed and doing nothing may seem like an option that no one would choose, but some young people choose to become NEETs.
And the numbers are growing. International Labour OrganizationBy 2023, roughly one in five 15-24 year-olds worldwide will be considered NEET, the highest level in nearly two decades.
Taking an extended break from work can kill your momentum, but psychologists say it can also have psychological benefits.
The rise of voluntary NEETs
Some Gen Zers are believing that voluntary dormancy is more appealing than taking the first job they come across, and are reclaiming the NEET label on social media.
Psychologist and business consultant Ryan Warner told Business Insider that the US has a “deeply ingrained culture of effort,” which believes working hard will lead to better results.
“But the new generation is starting to see success differently,” he said.
according to American Psychological Association 2023 Survey77% of workers report feeling stressed at work.
“A lot of people say, ‘Come on, let’s just get through this and get on with it,'” Warner says, “but some people say, ‘No, let’s take some time for ourselves and reduce our stress, anxiety, depression and take care of our overall mental health.'”
Mental health and work-life balance are huge priorities for many Gen Zers, and they aspire to work for organisations that have empathetic values and flexibility.
Experts have expressed concern that Zoomers and millennials will struggle to find work or be suddenly laid off, leaving them “lost” or “isolated.”
Some careers and recruitment experts told BI that being NEET is a “big mistake” and could be the result of an “unrealistic perspective” that creates a “false reality” about how career opportunities arise.
They said large gaps in their resumes can be a red flag to potential employers, and that sometimes putting yourself out there can be fulfilling.
But waiting a little longer to find a job that aligns with your values and identity can make your life more fulfilling and reduce burnout and other “long-term psychological challenges,” Warner said. It can also boost your self-confidence and psychological resilience, he said.
“Taking time for yourself allows you to reevaluate your values and what’s important to you, which in turn strengthens your sense of identity and self-worth,” Warner says. “In fact, it gives you a sense of autonomy and control over your life.”
Warner added that, in contrast, being forced to do a job that doesn’t suit you can lead to feelings of powerlessness and a lack of agency.
Overall, this is a risk vs reward analysis that an individual needs to do.
The reward of having a job may be financial security, but the risk is feeling unfulfilled and experiencing anxiety and depression.
“Many are realizing that the risks far outweigh the benefits and are beginning to choose a different approach,” he said.