"Happy unemployment"

In a society where human value is often measured by productivity, job title, or bank account balance, voluntarily quitting your job can easily lead others to believe you're shirking responsibility, useless, or lazy. However, in recent years, a new trend has emerged: "happy unemployment." Instead of feeling depressed or overwhelmed, many people choose to proactively quit their jobs, choose to be unemployed, and embrace it.

According to the Collins Dictionary, "happy unemployment" is funemployment. This phrase is a portmantein of the words "fun" and "unemployment." It's also used to describe the state of truly enjoying one's time off from work. At first glance, "happy unemployment" seems paradoxical. But it's a reality for many people, especially young people.

"Funemployment" describes people who actively and happily enjoy their time off after leaving a job. They don't try to find a new job as quickly as possible. Instead, these individuals want to enjoy their free time by traveling , participating in recreational activities, or simply spending time with themselves and their families. They give up stable jobs, decent salaries, and even high status to find peace, tranquility, and meaning in life.

In reality, not everyone quits their job because they're tired or dissatisfied with their work. Many simply realize the price they pay for a few tens of millions of dong a month: their health, time with family, and weekends that are never truly rested. They realize they're living to work, not working to live.

I have a friend who's over 40, and her company recently merged. Soon, her workplace will also be relocating. Therefore, she chose to retire early and feels comfortable with her choice. She confided, "Now I have more time for my family and children. Because my husband often works far from home, I prioritize my children." So, instead of worrying and feeling sad, my friend chose "happy unemployment." This means she proactively stopped working to dedicate time to rest and refresh herself. Of course, to achieve this leisure, she had to be well-prepared mentally and financially .

"Happy unemployment" isn't laziness. On the contrary, many of them are still working, but in their own way: writing, growing vegetables, teaching online, doing crafts, selling online... Things that might have previously been considered trivial have now become a source of livelihood, both materially and spiritually.

When you're "happy unemployed," you're no longer living in a race for achievement, but rather on a journey of self -discovery . Of course, to be happy unemployed requires many factors such as: financial reserves, support from family or community, adaptability, and especially the courage to live differently. This isn't an easy path, but it's not an impossible dream either.

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of this trend isn't the increased number of people quitting their jobs, but rather their willingness to ask themselves: What am I living for? In a world that constantly pushes people to run faster and do more, sometimes pausing is the way to move forward.