Written by, March 25 -- Akshita Pandey, Moitrayee Das

Micro-retirement is emerging as a defining career pattern among Gen Z, redefining conventional concepts of labor, accomplishment, and well-being. Instead of waiting until their sixties to take a prolonged break from the workplace, young professionals are opting for sporadic sabbaticals throughout their careers, prioritizing mental health, self-actualization, and activities beyond the corporate routine.

This shift is not a temporary fad but a response to long-standing frustrations with rigid work arrangements, burnout, and an evolving understanding of a healthy work-life balance (Robinson, 2025). Gen Z has grown up in a world that consistently emphasizes the value of self-care and wor...