At a time when trends are constantly emerging and evolving, Gen Z college students have moved away from haul culture and embraced a new phenomenon called “bed-rotting.” This trend, prevalent on social media platforms such as TikTok, involves spending long hours in bed, disconnected from the outside world. The ambiguous nature of terms like “bed rot” and “soft living” leave room for interpretation, from neglecting to make the bed daily to avoiding changing the sheets for extended periods of time. This shift in behavior appears to be a response to the challenges of today’s world, characterized by pervasive problems such as the rising cost of living and societal pressures.
Get culture, get over it! Generation Z college students have instead embraced the practice of “rotting in bed.” A popular trend on social media right now is the “rotting bed” and you can be a part of it without even realizing it. New trends appear on our feeds almost constantly these days.
TikTok, in particular, has become a thriving hub for the latest dances, memes, cooking experiments, and a wide variety of other weird and fun activities. In fact, there is a lot of room for ambiguity when it comes to the terms “rotten in bed” and “soft life.” This might mean leaving your bed unmade every day, or it might mean not washing your sheets for a long time. The lack of specificity of the phrase can cause confusion.
So what exactly does a “rotting bed” mean?
Bed rot is basically the practice of staying in bed all day. he was oblivious to what was happening in the outside world. It means curled up in a cocoon shape and acting like the world doesn’t exist.
@elizza_ro I love my bed more then myself #fypシ ♬
Soft living has come to be associated with this particular behavior, which is not surprising given the number of troubling issues prevalent in today’s world, such as the rising cost of living. It is a response to extremely difficult circumstances that people encounter.
But is this really the direction things should be going?
While enjoying the occasional lazy day is perfectly normal, over-indulging in soft living can be a sign of a deeper problem. Dr. Jessi Gold, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Washington, took to TikTok to address frequently asked questions about bed bugging and encouraged users to consider the causes of the behavior.
@a.trabs i’ll be rotting away in bed #fyp ♬ original sound – abigail marie
Dr. Gold claims that bed rot occurs when a person is over-worn and stressed. So much so that they choose not to get out of bed as a coping strategy. Many of us experience this from time to time and blame it on exhaustion caused by worry, tension, and lack of sleep.
Dr. Gold says it’s important to consider the underlying reasons for the urge to sleep, even if it’s not always necessary to fight it. Gaining insight into the reasons for your tendency to live a soft life can be quite beneficial for your mental health. which can help identify any underlying issues that need to be addressed.
The Gen Z community seems to have contributed to a general culture of lazy work ethic, but is this the root cause? A new argument between Gen-Zers and baby boomers recently emerged after someone posted a picture of a sign outside a store on Twitter. This screenshot caused controversy when it was posted on r/antiwork.
The sign expressed regret to customers about the store’s closure and mentioned that it was not properly staffed. A statement accompanying the post read: “Sorry to be closing again. I told my two new cashiers that their friends couldn’t work a full shift here so they quit. They’re not hiring any Gen Z employees; they have no idea what real work entails . . . So what seems to be the real problem?
In an ever-evolving landscape of social trends, “bedding” has emerged as the latest fascination among Gen Z college students. Presented on platforms like TikTok, this trend revolves around staying behind the scenes in bed, cut off from the outside world – a response that is somewhat emblematic of today’s overwhelming challenges. While occasional indulgence in relaxation is normal, excessive adoption of this lifestyle can signal deeper issues. Dr. Jessi Gold, an expert in psychiatry, points out that “bed rot” often stems from deep exhaustion and stress. Understanding the reasons behind this tendency can be key to mental health and allowing individuals to address underlying concerns.
However, the emergence of “bed-rot” has sparked discussions about the culture of work ethics, especially among Gen Z and other generations. Recent controversies such as the store closure clash and staffing issues have led to debates about perceptions of work between different generations.
The discourse surrounding these trends underscores evolving views of work, leisure, and societal expectations. It encourages deeper reflection on how attitudes toward productivity, mental health, and work-life balance continue to shape generational dynamics. As these discussions unfold, they shed light on the complexities of modern life and the different perspectives that shape our understanding of work and leisure.