Why Gen Z College Students Are Embracing ‘Bed Rotting’ — The Viral TikTok Trend Explained

Move over, hustle culture! Gen Z college students are now embracing the art of “bed-rotting.” Social media is buzzing with this trend, and you might be part of it without even knowing. In a world where new trends constantly flood our feeds, platforms like TikTok have become vibrant hubs for memes, dances, cooking experiments, and a host of other quirky and entertaining activities.

The term “bed-rotting” or “soft living” can mean different things to different people, which can make it a bit confusing. It might refer to neglecting to wash your sheets for a long time, or simply leaving your bed unmade day after day. This ambiguity leaves plenty of room for interpretation.

Bed Rotting: More Than Just Staying in Bed

Simply put, bed rotting means spending the whole day in bed, completely detached from the world outside. It’s about curling up in a cozy, cocoon-like state and ignoring everything happening around you.

Given the many stressful issues people face today—like the rising cost of living—it’s no surprise that “soft living” has become linked to behaviors like bed rotting. This trend reflects a way of coping with the overwhelming challenges in modern life.

Is bed rotting the right path forward?

It’s perfectly normal to enjoy a lazy day now and then, but excessive indulgence in soft living might signal an underlying issue. Dr. Jessi Gold, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Washington University, has addressed common concerns about bed rotting on TikTok, encouraging people to reflect on the reasons behind this behavior.

According to Dr. Gold, bed rotting happens when someone feels so overwhelmed and exhausted by stress that staying in bed becomes a coping mechanism. Many people experience this occasionally, often due to fatigue from stress, anxiety, or poor sleep.

Dr. Gold advises that it’s not always necessary to fight the urge to bed rot. However, it’s important to reflect on the underlying reasons behind this behavior. Understanding what drives you to embrace soft living can offer valuable insights into your mental health and help identify if there are deeper issues that need attention.

Is Gen Z’s work ethic truly the reason behind this perceived laziness?

Recently, a new clash between baby boomers and Gen Z erupted on social media after a Twitter user shared a photo of a sign posted outside a store. The image quickly made its way to the r/antiwork subreddit, sparking widespread debate.

The sign apologized to customers for the store’s repeated closures, blaming staff shortages. It read: “I apologize for closing AGAIN. My two new cashiers quit because I said their boyfriends couldn’t stand here for their entire shift. Don’t hire Gen Z—they don’t know what work actually means.” So, what’s really at the heart of this conflict?