In a world where doomscrolling, digital exhaustion, and disconnection are the norm, it’s easy to paint Gen Z as a generation in crisis. But there’s a growing subset of young people pushing back — and in doing so, they’re quietly carving out lives of purpose, stability, and, surprisingly, joy.
Despite troubling statistics in the 2025 World Happiness Report, which places young Americans (aged 18–29) at a sobering 62nd globally in terms of self-reported life satisfaction, a small yet significant group of Gen Zers are bucking the trend. And they’re doing it by making deliberate choices that seem almost radical in today’s hyper-connected, hyper-individualistic culture: saying yes to religion, to family, to books and real-world friendships — and saying no to the digital noise.
Redefining Happiness
The prevailing message many young people absorb today is that happiness lies in more: more likes, more followers, more experiences, more individuality. Yet, for these young people, happiness seems to emerge from less: fewer distractions, fewer comparisons, fewer digital demands.
Take Kevin, a 28-year-old from Southern Florida who lives with cerebral palsy. His disability could have become a source of resentment or isolation. Instead, it’s given him clarity. “Comparison is the thief of joy,” he says, echoing a truth that many spend a lifetime learning. By avoiding social media and instead immersing himself in reading and writing, Kevin has built a quiet, rich inner life. “I can get lost in books for hours,” he shares. His days revolve around intellectual exploration, purpose-driven work, and deep faith.
A Generation Hooked on Screens — But Some Are Opting Out
It’s no secret that Gen Z is the first truly digital-native generation. Studies show that the average Zoomer spends upwards of 75% of their day engaging with digital content. From the moment they wake up to when they scroll themselves to sleep, many are saturated with short videos, filtered images, and relentless messaging that they should always be doing more, being more.
But some are saying: enough.
Ben, a 20-year-old student at Georgia Tech, made a personal rule: no constant notifications. He disables alerts on Instagram and sets up phone-free zones with his friends. One of their unwritten rules? Stack the phones in the middle of the table — and if anyone grabs theirs, they pay the tip. It’s a lighthearted way to stay present, but it has a real impact. For Ben, it’s helped transform social time into actual connection, not just side-by-side scrolling.
“I think people feel lonelier because they’re constantly online,” Ben says. “Even when they’re with others, they’re not really with them. They’re on their phones, talking to someone else or lost in content.”
Breaking the Cycle of “Bed Rotting”
The term “bed rotting” has gained traction among Gen Z as a form of self-care — a cozy, isolating ritual of staying in bed for hours, not due to sickness, but to scroll, snack, and zone out. While it might offer momentary comfort, it can also mask underlying sadness, anxiety, or burnout.
Sarah-Elisabeth, a cheerful 20-year-old student at Samford University, saw this pattern in herself and decided to change the script. Rather than surrendering to hours of mindless content, she sets boundaries with her apps — sometimes deleting them altogether. Instead of rotting in bed, she gets up and takes a walk, reads a book, or journals.
These aren’t groundbreaking activities, but their impact is real. “I’ve realized that escaping into nature or a good book lifts me out of whatever stress I’m carrying,” she says. Daily journaling, especially gratitude journaling, has become a vital emotional anchor. “It reminds me of what’s good in my life.”
The Faith Factor: Finding Meaning in a Higher Power
Perhaps the most striking common thread among the happiest Gen Zers is something many wouldn’t expect: religion.
In an era where organized religion is often viewed with skepticism or disinterest by younger generations, this group is embracing faith as a cornerstone of their well-being. For Kevin, his Christian beliefs help him frame his disability not as a burden, but as a calling. “I believe I’m here for a reason,” he says with quiet conviction. “Even with my physical limitations, I’ve been given the gifts of thought, voice, and writing. That has to mean something.”
Faith, for him and others, provides structure, hope, and a sense of belonging that modern secular life often lacks. It gives a narrative to suffering, a reason for sacrifice, and a guide for moral decision-making. And perhaps most importantly, it connects them to something bigger than themselves — a powerful antidote to the cultural messages of individualism and self-indulgence.
Family: The Antidote to Isolation
Another strong influence on happiness? Family — not just as a given, but as a conscious priority.
Fay, a 28-year-old therapist, married at 25 and is now the mother of a toddler, with another child on the way. “Starting a family gave me real purpose,” she says. While many of her peers are still navigating dating apps and casual encounters, Fay is investing her energy in creating a stable home and nurturing relationships that ground her.
Her choice might seem countercultural in a generation known for delaying marriage and parenthood, but for her, the rewards are undeniable. “So much of my day is spent helping others — my clients, my family, my child. It’s not about me anymore. And that’s actually a relief.”
Fay credits both her Jewish faith and her family life with keeping her mentally grounded. “I think the number one problem in my generation is a lack of meaning,” she explains. “Everything is about personal pleasure and self-focus. But that’s a shallow way to live.”
Escaping the Pleasure Trap
Instant gratification is the norm for Gen Z. One-click delivery, binge-worthy content, and algorithm-curated feeds are designed to serve us exactly what we want, the moment we want it. But there’s a cost to living on a diet of easy pleasure: emotional numbness, anxiety, and a hollow sense of progress.
That’s where this emerging happiness movement stands out. These young people are consciously choosing effort over ease, meaning over momentary pleasure. They’re rediscovering joy in hard things — writing for hours, parenting young kids, grappling with faith questions, or simply walking without a phone in hand.
They’ve realized something society rarely teaches: meaning often comes through discomfort, discipline, and service to something beyond yourself.
The Common Threads of Gen Z’s Happiest Members
From conversations and lived experiences, several common themes emerge among these emotionally resilient Gen Zers:
1. Intentional Disconnection
They use social media sparingly, with clear boundaries. Notifications are turned off, apps are deleted when necessary, and in-person moments are protected.
2. Spiritual Grounding
Whether through Christianity, Judaism, or another belief system, faith plays a major role. It offers purpose, values, and a community.
3. Deep Relationships
They invest in close friendships, family ties, and sometimes early marriages. These relationships aren’t just for social clout — they’re for mutual support and growth.
4. Intellectual Curiosity
Reading, writing, learning — not for clout or competition, but for the joy of it — give their minds something meaningful to chew on.
5. Service Over Self
Rather than chasing pleasure, they find happiness in helping others: parenting, mentoring, caregiving, volunteering. They see value in giving.
6. Gratitude Practice
Whether through journaling or prayer, regularly reflecting on what’s good — even in small ways — reinforces a positive worldview.
The Road Ahead
It’s important not to romanticize or oversimplify this shift. These young people aren’t perfect. They still deal with stress, anxiety, and the challenges of adulthood. But what they show is that a different path is possible — one that’s quieter, deeper, and ultimately more fulfilling.
Gen Z has been handed a world of chaos: political polarization, economic pressure, climate anxiety, and an endless scroll of bad news. But some of them are stepping out of the storm and into a life of focus, community, and resilience.
They’re not chasing happiness in the usual places — they’re building it in the slow, intentional spaces where meaning lives. And perhaps that’s the real revolution of this generation.