Ah, "rotting." The word conjures images of fruit left too long on the counter or that one questionable Tupperware in the back of the fridge. But in 2024, "rotting" isn’t just a literal term—it’s a lifestyle. Gen Z and millennials have reclaimed "rot" as a metaphorical middle finger to hustle culture, turning it into a statement of rebellion, rest, and maybe just a pinch of nihilism.
Before you raise an eyebrow and accuse them of glorifying laziness, hear me out: brain rot and bed rotting aren’t the harbingers of societal decay you might think they are. In fact, these trends might be the much-needed counterweight to the constant pressure cooker of modern life. So let’s unpack why lying in bed for hours on end or binge-watching your 47th true-crime docuseries might not be the doom-and-gloom behavior it’s made out to be. Spoiler: it might even be ... good?
Brain Rot and Bed Rotting 101: What Are We Even Talking About?
If you’ve somehow avoided TikTok or the 2024 Oxford Word of the Year (congrats on your Amish lifestyle), let’s get you up to speed. Brain rot refers to the feeling of mental numbing after hours of doomscrolling, binge-watching, or otherwise mindlessly consuming content. Meanwhile, bed rotting is exactly what it sounds like: staying in bed for extended periods, often with no intention of being productive.
At first glance, these terms sound like warning labels. "Don’t do this; your brain will turn to mush!" But for many, they’re actually coping mechanisms for a world that feels overwhelming. And who’s at the forefront of this rotting renaissance? Gen Z and millennials, of course—the two generations most adept at turning existential dread into a meme format.
Why Are Millennials and Gen Z So Obsessed With Rotting?
Let’s cut to the chase: the world is exhausting. Boomers might scoff and call us "lazy," but Gen Z and millennials are navigating a landscape that previous generations never had to deal with. Here’s why rotting is our collective balm for modern chaos:
1. Burnout Is Our Baseline
Millennials were promised gold stars and fulfilling careers if they just worked hard enough. Instead, they got unpaid internships and avocado toast shaming. Gen Z, meanwhile, entered the workforce during a pandemic, witnessing economic instability as their childhood soundtrack. The result? Both generations are burnt out AF.
"Bed rotting," then, isn’t laziness—it’s survival. It’s hitting the brakes before you crash into the burnout wall at 90 mph. As psychologist Caitlin Slavens aptly puts it, “Rotting is like pressing a giant snooze button on life.”
2. The Digital Overload
Imagine your brain is a sponge. Now imagine that sponge being inundated with notifications, DMs, targeted ads, and an endless stream of TikToks. That’s life in 2024. Social psychologist Sophia Spencer notes that Gen Z and millennials are the first generations to experience this level of digital engagement from a young age. Our brains weren’t built for this.
So yes, sometimes we turn to brain rot—a reprieve from decision fatigue, information overload, and the constant, unspoken demand to be “on” all the time.
3. A Subtle (and Snarky) Rebellion
"Rotting" is a quiet act of resistance against hustle culture, the “grindset,” and the toxic positivity that permeates modern life. If you’ve ever cringed at a LinkedIn post that’s basically, “I woke up at 4 a.m., ran a marathon, closed three deals, and meditated for 14 hours—what’s YOUR excuse?” then you understand why rotting is appealing.
By embracing “laziness,” Gen Z and millennials are flipping the script. Who says your worth is tied to productivity? Maybe true rebellion is rotting in bed for 12 hours with no shame.
When Rotting Is Actually Good for You
Okay, so lying in bed all day doesn’t sound particularly healthy—but hear me out. Experts argue that rotting (in moderation) can actually be restorative. Here’s how:
1. Rotting as Rest
Intentional bed rotting—think: a day under the covers, snacks within arm’s reach, a comfort show on loop—can be a form of self-care. It’s a way to recharge, to disconnect from the noise, and to remind yourself that you don’t always need to be “on.”
“Our brains aren’t meant to be on overdrive all the time,” Slavens explains. Giving yourself permission to veg out can be a mental reset.
2. Rotting as Reflection
Ever notice how your best ideas come when you’re lying in bed, doing absolutely nothing? That’s because idle time—what looks like rotting—is actually fertile ground for creativity. When you stop actively trying to solve problems, your brain works its magic in the background. So, technically, bed rotting might make you a genius. (Take that, productivity bros.)
3. Rotting as Rebellion (But Make It Healthy)
When done intentionally, rotting isn’t about decay—it’s about defiance. It’s carving out time to say, “No, I won’t answer that email at 10 p.m.” or “Yes, I will watch 17 episodes of The Office because it makes me feel better.”
In this way, rotting is radical self-preservation. And in a world that glorifies overwork, there’s nothing lazy about that.
When Rotting Goes Too Far: The Dark Side of Decay
Not all rot is restorative. Sometimes, it’s just plain bad for you. Here’s how to spot the difference:
You’re Avoiding Responsibilities: A little procrastination is fine, but if your bed rot becomes a way to dodge adulting entirely, it might be time to get up (and do your laundry, seriously).
It Feels More Like Escapism Than Rest: If brain rot is leaving you feeling more drained than refreshed, you’re probably not doing it right. Slavens warns that “full-blown decay” can exacerbate feelings of isolation and stagnation.
It’s All Screens, All the Time: Yes, binge-watching TV or scrolling TikTok can be part of brain rot, but don’t forget to sprinkle in some actual rest—like naps or just staring at the ceiling. Balance, people.
Where Do We Go From Here? Rotting in 2025 and Beyond
So what’s the takeaway? Should we lean into rotting, or is it time to Marie Kondo this trend and let it go? The answer, as always, lies somewhere in the middle.
Redefining Rest
The real lesson of brain rot and bed rotting isn’t that we should all become human potatoes—it’s that our current ideas of rest are broken. We need to redefine rest in a way that works for the digital age.
That might mean:
- Setting boundaries with work and social media.
- Scheduling intentional downtime before burnout hits.
- Embracing “low-effort joy,” whether that’s watching cat videos or lounging in bed with a book.
A Rot-olution?
If previous generations adapted to the Industrial Revolution by creating the 9-to-5 workday, perhaps it’s time for us to adapt to the Digital Revolution by normalizing rest, idleness, and yes, even a little rotting.
As Sophia Spencer suggests, we’re living through a period of unprecedented change. The answer isn’t to grind harder—it’s to rot smarter.
So here’s to brain rot and bed rotting: the unlikely heroes of 2024. Whether you see them as a cry for help, a quiet act of rebellion, or simply the natural response to modern chaos, one thing’s for sure—they’re not going anywhere. And honestly? That’s fine.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to rot in bed for a few hours. For research, of course.