Are you a quiet quitter? Or just quiet quitting curious? Read a new take on the trend that is sweeping the country. Plus a way to find deeper meaning.
A lot has changed since the pandemic began. Many of us have had a perspective shift thanks to forced time alone and the remote work-from-home dynamic. Not only was there time to slow down and rest, but we also had time to think. Perhaps too much time to think! But nonetheless, introspection brought us to a different way of thinking, being, and living.
One could argue that working conditions before and during the pandemic were at the forefront of those cosmic shifts resulting in the “great resignation” and quiet quitting. Working late, too many hours, not enough compensation, and other inequitable factors undoubtedly contributed to such a seismic shift. But are there deeper reasons for the need to pull back from the current work paradigm? Let’s look at quiet quitting from a spiritual perspective.
What exactly is quiet quitting?
Wondering what the term quiet quitting really means?
Gallup Poll’s definition of quiet quitting is being "not engaged" at work -- people who do the minimum required and are psychologically detached from their job.
NPR expounds, “Setting boundaries and simply completing the tasks you're supposed to complete within the time that you're paid to do them — with no extra frills. No more kowtowing to your boss or customers. No more working nights and weekends, incessantly checking your email. Workaholism is out. Coasting is in. Call it the work-life balance manifesto.”
Maybe quiet quitters are not slackers, but realists looking out for their own well-being.
Is quite quitting real?
Before we consider a spiritual aspect to this recent trend, let’s grasp just how real quiet quitting is. Gallop Poll estimates that more than 50% of the U.S. workforce are quiet quitters! That’s not just younger employees or Gen Z, that’s a lot of people actively disengaged
What’s really behind quiet quitting?
The hustle culture mentality in today’s workplace doesn’t usually give the sense of life satisfaction we are all searching for. Add stress and exhaustion to the mix, and it’s easy to see why so many are finally reevaluating work-life balance and employee engagement is down all across the country. It’s like self-care slapped us across the face shouting, “Wake up!” But wake up to what?
I would say we are waking up to the question, what is the meaning of life. What is our life’s purpose?
If always going the extra mile never takes us closer to contentment, what’s the point?
Another question worth asking… Is quiet quitting going to bring that deeper meaning and life satisfaction we are missing? For a while, perhaps, but not in the long run.
There are many ways to find deeper meaning in life. And no one can give you a roadmap or a checklist of what to do to arrive at a place where you find that contentment. But what if there was a way to enhance that journey? What if life satisfaction could be your norm regardless of what job or position you have in life? Hmmm. I hear your gears turning. Contentment not being tied to jobs, or circumstances, is pretty intriguing!
Finding deeper meaning
The classic U2 song, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, comes to mind when I think of the great resignation and quiet quitting. At the crux of it all is…dissatisfaction. Quiet quitters are just acknowledging that they still haven’t found what they are looking for, isn’t it? The corporate ladder does not lead to that which we are searching for. There is nothing wrong with climbing the ladder of success, but it isn’t going to fulfill that deeper need on a spiritual level.
Looking for contentment outside of yourself rarely yields true contentment. This is where a simple breathing meditation technique can really help!
Breathing your way to more fulfillment
Whether they are younger workers or experienced employees, quiet quitters know there is more to life than just their jobs. Figuring out how to feel contentment day in and day out can feel like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. But I am here to say that it doesn’t have to be that hard!
Do you find yourself asking, “Why does everything have to be so stressful?” Stress is everywhere, especially at work. And it is literally sucking the life out of us! When we are stressed, we not only struggle to function, we are not happy campers. Stress affects every aspect of our lives. In fact, stress is also the number one contributor to illness and disease.
Scientists have discovered the power of using breathing techniques and meditation to manage stress and give life more meaning. It seems too good to be true. But over 100 independent studies have shown that SKY Breath Meditation can do both, and more!
Some of the science-backed benefits of SKY include:
- Up to a 78% reduction in serum cortisol levels (that’s the stress hormone)
- 21% increase in life satisfaction
- 33% increase in immune cell count
- Significant decrease in depression and anxiety
- Healthier blood pressure
- Greater mental focus
- Enhanced deep sleep
- Increase in optimism and joy
Quiet quitting doesn’t have to be your only choice when it comes to your job. Rather than giving the bare minimum, we can give as needed while respecting our own healthy boundaries. You can think of SKY as that burnout prevention we all need. Manage your stress and increase your contentment just by using your breath for meditation. Bonus: It’s easy to learn!
It’s also easy to learn more about SKY. Just attend a free introductory session by clicking the image below. A certified instructor will answer questions, lead a guided meditation, and teach you a breathing technique you can do on your own.
With an increase in energy and optimism, maybe it’s time to renegotiate your position at work!?
