Aisha Patel, 26 years old, in Los Angeles, once viewed herself as a "girl boss", celebrating independence and chasing achievements. She managed ba YouTube channels and often worked until 2 a.m. "After mot year without rest, I felt empty", Aisha recalled, describing her burnout.
Aisha began reducing her video posting frequency to hai times each week. Her mornings are now dedicated to skincare and reading, rather than checking views or replying to comments. Currently, as a freelance content consultant, Aisha states she has rediscovered balance and joy in her work, free from constant pressure.
Aisha is a prime example of the "snail girl" concept, a term initiated by Australian fashion designer Sienna Ludbey.
This term describes a slow-paced lifestyle, a direct opposite to the "girl boss" style. "Snail girls" are not lazy; they work at their own rhythm, setting boundaries to protect their mental well-being and aiming for sustainable goals.
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A girl enjoying a slow, relaxed pace of life with morning coffee and reading a newspaper in Lazio, Italy, 10/2024. Photo: Business Insiders
Sienna Ludbey herself experienced productivity pressure. In 2018, she left the corporate grind to focus on her own fashion brand, Hello Sisi. Ludbey chose to slow down her work, be kinder to herself, and stopped considering fame as the sole measure of success.
Ludbey's message quickly spread on TikTok, drawing millions of views, especially from Gen Z. Tenny Ann Thomas, 25 years old, in India, was among those influenced. After completing a demanding master's program and witnessing the Covid-19 pandemic, Tenny realized that being busy does not equate to happiness.
She now allows herself to wake up late, go for walks, and only works when she genuinely has energy. Tenny's friends in Chennai also shifted their conversations from deadlines to sharing photos of tea breaks and skincare routines. "We are no longer rushing after perfection", Tenny said.
However, experts suggest this lifestyle requires proper understanding.
Career coach Natalie Trice comments that slow living does not mean abandoning ambition. "It is an acknowledgment that work is not an ongoing battle", she said.
Concurring, Jennifer Luke, a researcher at Southern Queensland University (Australia), warns that many young people are experiencing burnout by pushing themselves to limits without a clear purpose.
According to Victoria McLean, CEO of City CV, modern women can combine the striving philosophy of the "girl boss" with the self-care of the "snail girl". "A career is a marathon, not a sprint. Balance is the key to lasting success", McLean concluded.
By Ngoc Ngan (Source: Fortune)
