Amid economic and social pressure, China’s millennials and Gen Z are embracing minimalism and redefining the definition of success.
In China, young people are skipping out on their daily milk teas and coffees — opting instead for a “less is more” approach to minimalism and frugal life while still living in the moment. This trend reflects a move away from the “996” lifestyle, white collar work, and traditional markers of success and status.
“A cup of milk tea every day is 10,000 RMB ($1,407) per year,” shares minimalism blogger Cheng Youyou. “It is not shameful to save money, but it is shameful to be poor.” Other commenters replied that it is not shameful to have no money, and that daily purchases like coffee and milk tea “don’t improve the quality of life — so just save what you can.”
Faced with a challenging job market, amid economic uncertainty, Chinese millennials and Gen Zers are prioritizing personal fulfillment over rigid workaholism. This is evident across Chinese social media, as netizens are advocating for concepts such as “low desire life” and “minimalism life”
“Buy only what you need, never buy luxury,” another blogger, former finance executive Peach’s Simple Life, posts on platform Xiaohongshu. “My haircuts do not exceed 15 RMB ($2.11) per month… In addition to spending time with my family, my only hobby is reading.” Continue to read the full article here
