Lying Flat (躺平, tangping) is a cultural phenomenon in China that emerged in the early 2020s as a passive resistance to societal pressures, characterised by rejecting the rat race, reducing ambition, and embracing a minimalist lifestyle.
If you ask what I think about it? I’d say it’s about time.
When life squeezes us too hard
Lying flat culture arose in response to slowing economic growth, rising unemployment, unaffordable housing, and the gruelling "996" work culture in China (9 am-9 pm, 6 days a week), which left many young people disillusioned with traditional goals of success.
But it’s not just about work. It’s also about how collective society forces duty on a person and squeezes us so hard that we struggle to breathe. Rooted in a Confucian society that values productivity and competition, “lying flat” became a silent protest against unattainable life expectations and overwhelming societal norms.
By 2024, lying flat had sparked widespread debates on mental health, personal happiness, and sustainable lifestyles, leaving a lasting impact on generational identity and shifting societal values in China.
Workers are bored; creatives are poor
Is it just a problem for Confucius-driven societies? I don’t think so.
When I moved to the UK, it often surprised me to see that the ‘individualist’ English are bothered by so much: class distinctions, pressure to marry by thirty, wives taking their husband’s surname, trauma from parents — all while managing to leave work on time, take weekends off, and have proper maternity leave.
Still, the Brits don’t seem to think they’re in any better shape — especially compared to Scandinavian countries, often hailed as the best places to work.
We’re all on the same boat. Many secretly want to quit. A sad cycle emerges: People hate their jobs, so they spend money to find fun things or buy indulgent stuff, justifying the monotony. Meanwhile, rising property prices and living costs in cities full of these boring jobs make creative individuals too poor to stay. A cultural desert forms. We’re like thirsty cacti desperate for a breakthrough.
Initially, many were obsessed with FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). But passive income takes time. Desperation drives people to half-heartedly work ("quiet quitting") until they ultimately lie flat. Lean in? No, Sheryl Sandberg. Let’s lie flat.
Case study - Jenine
Recently, I had dinner with an acquaintance called Jenine. Jenine owns five flats in England and could live off her rental income. Yet, she’s trapped in the pressure cooker of needing the fanciest everything among her friends. She must also justify her wealth, not as privilege, but as the result of hard work.
Can you see the loop? Without the desire to show off, she wouldn’t need fancy things. Without fancy things, she wouldn’t need to work. Her passive income is excessively large anyway.
Jenine’s case illustrates how, regardless of where you sit on the capitalist ladder, consumerist society traps you. Advertisements, social status, and parental pressure pull us into this endless loop. Are you stuck in your own version of this trap too? Becoming aware is key — otherwise, like Jenine, no amount of money will bring happiness.
The UK economy shrunk by 0.1%, so what…?
The thing about GDP (gross domestic product) is that even when it shrinks, some groups remain unaffected: the super-rich, investors with diverse portfolios, and those whose lifestyles don’t inflate with their income.
Economics often assumes people have "unlimited wants," but recent research by Bain and Bongiorno (2022) challenges this. When you imagine your ideal life — one of confidence, security, and ease with family and friends — do you still need the next Birkin bag or Patek Philippe watch?
This isn’t just food for thought. It’s a foundation for your value system. Clarify it, and you can avoid the suffering of endlessly chasing more.
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Today, we explored how lying flat culture started in China but resonates globally as people grow tired of working for others. I invited you to reflect on your vicious loop and visualise your ideal life.
In the coming weeks, we’ll dive deeper into crafting a life as a city hermit.