“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
— Anne Lamott
This deceptively simple observation has become something of a rallying cry for the slow living movement. In a culture of perpetual productivity, the radical act may simply be stopping — and being unapologetic about it.
A surprising cultural shift is underway. Gen Z, the generation that grew up on TikTok and Instagram, is leading a quiet retreat from social media. New data from Pew Research shows 28% of 18–24 year-olds have permanently deleted at least one major social app in the past 12 months.
The reasons cited are consistent: anxiety, time lost, and a desire for deeper real-world connection. Journaling apps, walking clubs, and reading groups are picking up the slack.