"Unpacking the New Definition of Success: Why Mental Balance, Not Status, is the New Youth Priority."
Photo by Joaquin Romero on Unsplash
For years, success in Indonesia seemed to wear only one face: a tired one, proud of late-night overtime and elevating burnout as a badge of honor. This is the Hustle Culture, a philosophy that dictated dedication must be measured by the amount of personal life sacrificed on the altar of the workplace.
Yet, amidst the noise of the never-sleeping cities, a quiet shift is taking place. Today's young generation—specifically Gen Z and early Millennials—are collectively shrugging off that label, choosing a path they now call Radical Stability.
Radical Stability is a philosophy that prioritizes mental well-being and personal time over endless career ambition. It is a conscious choice to withdraw from the exhausting race and instead champion a measured, calm, and stable life. For this generation, true courage lies in setting boundaries, saying "no" to excessive demands, and opting for the "ordinary" job that guarantees mental and physical security.
This massive shift stems largely from collective trauma. When the pandemic blurred the lines between home and office, many faced mass burnout. It served as a stark reminder: mental health is an asset far more valuable than a high salary or a fancy title. While previous generations saw overtime as the path to the top, this generation views it as an exploitation to be avoided.
Photo by Jeferson Santu on Unsplash
This is manifesting in new career choices. Instead of chasing the promises of high-stress startup environments, many young professionals are now opting for positions that offer flexibility and certainty, such as hybrid work, controlled freelance schedules, or even roles in established institutions that guarantee strict 9-to-5 hours. They choose financial and mental stability that allows time for self-care, family, and hobbies.
Philosophically, Radical Stability walks hand-in-hand with Slow Living. If Hustle Culture encourages relentless speed and overconsumption, Slow Living invites them to slow down, be more present, and value quality over quantity. This Slow Living is implemented in several ways: through The Art of "Being Present" (focusing on one activity like gardening or cooking as active meditation); the Homebody Economy (investing in home comfort and rituals like a Home Cafe); Functional Minimalism (reducing consumption and choosing sustainable products); and Conscious Travel (prioritizing rest and reflection over fast-paced tourism).
Photo by Bailey Burton on Unsplash
This movement also fuels Quiet Quitting, which is not laziness, but the setting of professional boundaries. Employees deliver tasks according to their job description and compensation, nothing more and nothing less. When 5 PM hits, the laptop closes, notifications are switched off, and the focus shifts entirely from work output to life input. Ultimately, young Indonesians are redefining success. Achievement is no longer just vertical (climbing the corporate ladder), but horizontal (having a rich and holistic life).
WRAP-UP!
Radical Stability is the reclamation of personal autonomy. This generation demands more than just a paycheck; they demand a life. And for that, they are willing to choose the path considered "ordinary," for the sake of radical peace.
