Yookers, stop fooling yourselves. Find your true selves and set off anew.While many professionals debate the "age 65 retirement policy" and recent graduates fret over securing "stable jobs," a group of "youthful retirees" voluntarily abandon privileged careers to embrace early retirement. This phenomenon demands societal attention.
"In youth, we trade our lives for money; in old age, we trade money for life. Yet money is never enough, and life cannot be bought back.""With this mindset, the term "new retirementism" has entered many people's lives.
This new lifestyle philosophy is being promoted and championed by a group of "yookers"—often accomplished white-collar professionals who voluntarily pause their high-speed careers to carve out more time for themselves. They take extended breaks or embark on long-dreamed-of fresh starts. No longer mere work machines, they seek to autonomously control the rhythm of their lives.Resigning: Rediscovering Self to Begin Anew Thirty-two-year-old Zhou Yang now enjoys a leisurely life in Australia, savoring the freedom of not working. Who would have thought that just months ago, she was buried in piles of documents, sporting dark circles under her eyes from working day and night?
Zhou Yang previously worked at an accounting firm in Hangzhou. To many, she had a stable, high-paying job—the envy of white-collar workers. Yet unexpectedly, she quit at the peak of her career, choosing what she calls an early "retirement."
From childhood through graduate school and job hunting, Zhou Yang was the model child who rarely caused her parents worry.After entering the workforce, Zhou Yang threw herself wholeheartedly into her career, working long hours day after day. Within a few years, she rose to become a mid-level manager at her company.
This February, Zhou Yang abruptly resigned, packed her bags, and set off alone for Australia to pursue further studies. This decision baffled those around her, including her parents: "Competition is fierce in today's society—finding a good job isn't easy!"
Zhou Yang was well aware of others' confusion. "Were all these years of effort wasted?" "At my age, can I compete with younger graduates after studying for a few more years?"... These thoughts repeatedly crossed her mind. It wasn't until she saw online accounts of white-collar workers whose health, family, and lives suffered from high-pressure jobs that she made her decision.
"Looking back, these past years have been incredibly tough," Zhou Yang admitted. When she first started working, she was driven, believing that achieving professional success and earning others' recognition was her ultimate goal. She'd walk home under the moonlight every night, leave for work before dawn, and often work weekends—leaving almost no personal time.
Zhou Yang admitted that being single at 32 was another major reason for her resignation. "Pouring all my energy into work meant neglecting other aspects of life. I didn't notice it before, but after turning 30, seeing peers with children made me feel unsettled."
In Australia, Zhou Yang made many new friends. When not attending classes, they would drive around exploring together.When discussing future plans, Zhou Yang believes she cannot remain unemployed indefinitely, viewing this period as a temporary break. "During this time, I've come to fully understand that one cannot evade work but must learn to balance career and life, seeking their own path within reality."
Self-reflection: Health and Family Bonds Matter Most
"Retirement isn't tied to age—retire when you choose; it isn't tied to career—work when you wish.Retirement isn't the end of life, but the beginning of another chapter." This is Youke's motto. To them, the value of health, family bonds, friendships, and freedom now surpasses money.
Swimming, working out, and reading during the day; watching TV with his wife and playing games with his son at night—this is Yang Dong's daily life since "retiring" from the workplace.Approaching 40, Yang Dong was formerly the HR manager at a foreign enterprise. After over a decade of hard work, he no longer worried about his salary or livelihood. His only concern was that, buried in work day after day, he rarely had time to truly relax and spend quality moments with his wife and child, nor did he have opportunities to live the life he truly desired.
The day he left the company, Yang Dong felt the sunlight was particularly brilliant."The salary was certainly substantial, but sometimes I felt like a machine running nonstop, with no chance to pause and rest."
After "retiring," Yang Dong embraced a life of self-cultivation and relaxation. Regarding the future, he admitted he hadn't given it much thought yet. "I'm thoroughly enjoying my current life. Before, I was so focused on work that I neglected my health and family. Now, it's not too late to make up for it."
Faced with high-intensity, high-pressure work environments, many white-collar workers have experienced the urge to retire early. A survey by a major portal site revealed that 82% of white-collar workers both envy and consider early retirement.
"If circumstances allowed, I'd choose retirement too—health and happiness matter more than making money."In the past, we were accustomed to working for decades before retiring at a set age. But life is our own, and we have multiple choices. If necessary, taking a break midway isn't out of the question." "Long-term exhaustion and immense work pressure don't boost efficiency or creativity. Choosing to step back and free yourself is a new approach."... These netizen comments echo the sentiments of the "yooke" generation.
Netizen "Kindred Spirits" believes today's youth shouldn't resign themselves to the constant sighing of their parents' generation at age 60, nor should they face the humiliation of being fired by their bosses. Instead, they should pursue more autonomous and proactive life choices—not to escape work, but to make it happier and more meaningful.
Netizen "Drifting," a white-collar worker who chose early retirement, described her previous life as "all work and no life." "When friends invited me out, I was either on a business trip or working overtime. Eventually, they stopped inviting me altogether—I was losing all my friends." After choosing "retirement," she now devotes ample time to family, household chores, social gatherings, dancing, fitness, and traveling.
"These days off work seem carefree at first glance. But after a while, when you truly settle down, you feel empty and realize your choice was indeed a bit rash..." "Drifting" mused thoughtfully.
Aspiration: Happiness at Work is Most Beautiful
While early "retirement" to enjoy life appears an ideal choice, it doesn't necessarily make life more fulfilling.
During interviews, the reporter found many believe the new retirement philosophy reflects shifting values among modern urbanites—prioritizing health, family bonds, friendships, and freedom. They see temporary rest as preparation for a stronger future start. Yet others argue early "retirement" wastes human resources, shows social irresponsibility, and remains unrealistic for most young people.
Lin Yijing was once part of this early-retirement group. At the time, she worked as an administrative secretary at a foreign enterprise in Shanghai and was highly valued by her boss. Yet immense work pressure led her to choose early "retirement."
"Initially, life at home felt incredibly comfortable. But over time, I gradually sensed an imbalance,""Lin Yijing explained. Her husband pursued his career, and her friends were busy with their own work. Gradually, she felt disconnected from society, spending her days aimlessly, filled with emptiness and loneliness. She began considering re-entering the workforce, but finding a job comparable to her previous one proved challenging. After months of effort, she finally secured a position at a small company—merely a means to make ends meet.
Today, Lin Yijing seems more level-headed. Regarding the phenomenon of "early retirement," she believes it's merely a form of workplace fatigue that doesn't necessarily require choosing retirement. Especially in today's fiercely competitive environment, "early retirement" isn't a wise move."Leaving means unemployment. Returning to your previous role is extremely difficult—you'd have to start from scratch in many areas. If your financial situation isn't stable, 'early retirement' is even less advisable, as it places a heavy burden on your family." She suggests that when facing high pressure, taking annual leave or extended public holidays can help recharge mentally and physically, without necessarily resorting to so-called "retirement."