We start every year with the same resolutions. Get a kickass job or promotion. Start a side hustle. Monetise a hobby. Be unstoppable. Just like you, I had similar resolutions for 2026 to fuel my ambitious mind until I came across digital creator Gabriella Carr‘s rejection therapy reel. In 2026, Gabriella aims to receive 1,000 rejections deliberately. Umm?! That’s a thousand painful ‘Nos’ that would probably throw my self-esteem below rock bottom. Then, I also came across We Are Yuvaa‘s The Good Girls roundtable interview, where influencer Srishti Dixit says, “I would like to be more okay with failing this year. I want to try new things and fail at them massively on a public platform.” She wants to experience how that feels, rather than aiming for virality every day. With the rise of the soft living trend as well, I wonder: is 2026 about anti-ambition or anti-performance?

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Soft living: The art of ‘not’ romanticising hustle

For years, success and ambition have been sold as performance. How busy you are. How booked your calendar looks. Most importantly, how loudly and aesthetically you announce you’re grinding with at least 50 tabs open on your laptop and a coffee on the side. Burnout and sleep deprivation nearly became cool personality traits until something shifted. People, especially Gen Z, are moving away from the grind. Instead, they are hopping onto the soft living trend that prioritises mental peace and comfort over toxic hustle culture. This is making work-life balance a reality rather than a distant dream for everyone.

Let’s talk numbers

A recent Deloitte survey found that 25 per cent of Gen Z workers cite work-life balance as the reason they stay at their current workplace. And what happens when people don’t get that balance right? They quit without second thoughts, and rightly so. According to Kickresume‘s workplace mental health report, 39 per cent of employees willingly quit their jobs to protect their mental peace. Nearly 33 per cent of employees seriously considered doing the same.

As reported by Newsweek, 76 per cent of Gen Z are willing to settle for lower pay if their job prioritises their life after work hours. People are not just choosing work-life balance over higher pay, but they are also deeply valuing personal growth. According to Forbes, 46 per cent of Gen Z workers, 37 per cent of millennials, and 25 per cent of Gen X are likely to quit if they don’t see scope for growth or upskilling in their jobs. Turns out, people today are not unambitious; they just don’t want their work to squeeze the life out of them. People are choosing work opportunities that support both their financial growth and their wellbeing. This is also shifting the narrative from delivering perfection to being unapologetically average at one’s job.

Mediocrity is the new cool

Being average takes the pressure off being perfect. Gone are the days when ‘mediocre’ was used as an insult for kids who got poor grades in class or employees who refused to do overtime to climb up the corporate ladder. Now, people are no longer chasing perfection. Instead, they are being average on purpose to give themselves room to explore, learn, mess up, and enjoy the process without stressing about the perfect outcome. Once you stop ‘performing’ success, failure stops feeling fatal. It becomes a part of your growth. This is also why people, including influencers like Gabriella and Srishti, are choosing rejection over virality.

Rejection therapy: The new model for steady growth

Would you rather delay your career growth by waiting to be fully ready or put yourself out there while learning every day? In 2026, people are choosing the second option. Instead of curating picture-perfect wins, people are now chasing rejections on purpose. And so should you. Apply for roles you feel underqualified for. Pitch ideas that might get rejected. Ask without obsessing over outcomes. Rejection therapy flips the script. Success isn’t approval anymore; it’s participation. Expose yourself to the myriad possibilities out there, fail at them, learn new things, chase your dreams, and in the middle of all this, you might land something that changes the course of your life for good.

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FAQs

Q1. How can we practise the soft living trend in 2026?

To practise the soft living trend in 2026, opt for work opportunities that enhance your creativity and prioritise your physical and mental health.

Q2. Are there risks to intentionally seeking rejection?

Yes, putting yourself out there can sting your confidence, but the goal is growth, not humiliation. Start small, reflect on each experience, and celebrate the lessons rather than fixate on the ‘no’.

Q3. What are the subtle signs of burnout we should watch out for?

Subtle burnout shows up as constant fatigue, irritability, or a loss of interest in things you normally enjoy. It’s a signal to slow down and protect your mental health before it gets worse.

Q4. How can we deal with burnout at work?

Set firm boundaries with your manager to avoid working overtime or taking on extra tasks. Take regular breaks after completing tasks. Limit your screen time after work hours and engage yourself in creative hobbies.

Q5. How can we manage anxiety caused by career pressure?

Start by breaking tasks into small, manageable steps and setting realistic expectations for yourself. Prioritise mental health with boundaries, breaks, and reflection, remembering that your worth isn’t defined by constant performance.