Nearly Half of Gen Z Crave a Sabbatical. Here’s Why It’s a Trap

Gen Z may be the youngest generation in the workforce, but many are already thinking about stepping away. According to a recent survey from EduBirdie, 7% of Gen Z workers plan to take a sabbatical this year, 15% are seriously considering it, and 1 in 5 say they long for a break, but just can’t afford one. The idea of a soul-searching hiatus is more romanticized than ever, especially on TikTok, where viral “before and after” backpacking videos show burned-out workers turning into glowing, blissed-out nomads.

It looks amazing, no doubt. But unless you’ve got family money or a particularly forgiving safety net, taking a few months off probably isn’t realistic — not with rent, student loans, and layoffs lurking. That’s why it’s worth thinking about how to recharge without having to disappear. Avery Morgan, Chief Human Resources Officer at EduBirdie, says there are ways to reset from inside the life you already have.

Here are four practical approaches Gen Z workers can use to reclaim energy, even without the luxury of a sabbatical.

1. Stack mini getaways instead of one big trip

“Forget the once-a-year mega-vacation. Use long weekends, bank holidays, or just two days off paired with a weekend for short but regular getaways. They’re easier to plan, less expensive, and, perhaps most importantly, they inject moments of excitement into your routine,” Avery explains.

Psychologically, when there’s always something to look forward to, your brain stays less overwhelmed. Meanwhile, burnout thrives in the “all or nothing” mindset, where one trip has to fix everything. Plus, a once-a-year escape can start to feel bittersweet the moment it begins. But frequent small resets keep your whole life more fulfilling.

2. Make your commute serve you

Avery says: “If you’re commuting anyway, make use of this time. Walking or biking, if that’s an option, may add low-effort movement to your day, which lifts mood more than you expect. Give your brain something to chew on: switch up your route once in a while, listen to a new podcast or a book.”

“Then, on the way home, do the opposite. Disconnect from inputs. Play your favorite music, pick up something comforting to eat, and give yourself permission to mentally clock out. And for those working remotely, don’t skip this part. Step out for lunch somewhere new, add a short walk before and after your workday, and try coworking with remote friends now and then. Changing your environment can reset your headspace more than you think,” she adds.

3. Create non-work relationships

So often in adulthood, our initial friendships drift away and get replaced by our work friendships. It’s convenient, you’re bonded by circumstance. But chances are, your conversations with them eventually circle back to work, and you’re not resting even in a bar on a Friday night. “It’s important to create a third space for yourself where you can unwind – build deep, vulnerable friendships outside of work,” Morgan highlights.

“Next step: don’t bring office talk to that table either. You need to exist in spaces where your role and performance don’t matter. So skip those chats about your nasty boss and go straight to gossip, cool plans, or shopping tips — anything that lets your brain relax. Otherwise, even your best friendships will start to feel like extensions of your LinkedIn.”

4. Stop overidealizing life without work

It’s easy to fall into the idea that you would be happy if you just didn’t have to work: slow mornings, no deadlines, all the time in the world to actually live. But that fantasy often skips the hard parts: no structure, no progress, and no clear purpose. When those things are missing, days slow down and flatten. Ironically, doing nothing can leave you just as drained as being overworked.

From a productivity perspective, a mix of effort and rest keeps us balanced. We rely on some kind of structure to help regulate focus, mood, and energy. Work, for all its flaws, offers that framework. 

“Try looking at what you actually miss in your day-to-day. Maybe it's sunlight, more time to read, movement, or time with friends. These are real needs you can start to reclaim within the life you already have. Meet friends at breakfasts, take your lunch break outdoors, start work later once a week, and pick up a hobby that genuinely lifts your mood. The goal is to stop waiting for an idealized future and start folding small, meaningful moments into the life you already have,” Avery says.

You don’t need to wait for the perfect moment or the perfect life. You just need to start folding joy into the one you already have.