AFP – China has long been known for its culture of hard work. But the younger generation, wealthier and better educated, seem to be turning away from this lifestyle in favour of a less productivity-driven approach. This way of life, or even spiritual approach, has come to be known as “chillax”.
The chillax movement is the result of growing frustration among the youth. They don’t enjoy the same advantages as their elders at a time when the country is experiencing major economic difficulties.
Millions of new graduates are struggling to find work that matches their level of education, and are consequently swelling the ranks of the unemployed.
In the absence of professional opportunities, young people are rejecting the ‘996’ workweek model (9am to 9pm, six days a week). They aspire to a better balance between their personal and professional lives and to taking care of their well-being. These demands are at the heart of the chillax movement.
This trend manifests itself in a variety of behaviours and initiatives aimed at putting the brakes on current lifestyles and consumption patterns. ‘Chillaxers’ want to take the time to enjoy life’s little pleasures, whether it’s taking a walk in the park or cooking a home-cooked meal.
Whatever their chosen activity, it’s always about making and taking the time. For those who join the chillax movement, it’s a question of living more at their own pace on a daily basis and being in tune with their convictions.
This call for a slower, more hedonistic lifestyle is reminiscent of the “slow life” counter-culture that emerged in northern Italy in the mid-1980s, driven by the eco-gastronomy pioneer, Carlo Petrini and his Slow Food organisation. Like the Italian movement, the art of chillax has spread to all fields, from tourism and interior design to clothing and cosmetics. In fact, the majority of posts on social networks mentioning the chillax movement are about beauty products, according to figures from the Xiaohongshu platform, quoted in the Baiguan News newsletter.
The appeal of this idea of slowing the pace is also evident in the leisure activities of young people.
These include walking but also camping and fishing. These activities enable them to reconnect with nature and to participate in a process of discovery.
Tea-drinking is also a popular hobby for supporters of the chillax movement, according to the Chinese television channel, CGTN. This is almost certainly seen as a way of reconnecting with national heritage.
