Gen Z's 'Snail Girl' movement redefines career success
Generation Z is redefining the concept of success and the balance between work and personal life. The "snail girl" trend, initiated by Sienna Ludbey, is now taking TikTok by storm.
In an era of relentless rat races and the glorification of workaholism, the young generation is saying "enough." Snail girls are swimming against the tide, choosing a peaceful life focused on what truly matters to them. Their priority is balance, and career success is no longer a measure of their worth.
The new trend, inspired by fashion designer Sienna Ludbey, quickly gained popularity on TikTok, becoming a symbol of the rebellion against old work and career ideals. For Gen Z, work is not an end in itself but merely a means to a life of harmony and tranquillity.
Snail girl versus girl boss
For years, the "girl boss" was the icon of success: an ambitious, dynamic woman ready to work around the clock. However, for Generation Z, this model has become outdated. Sienna Ludbey, who started the snail girl trend, left her corporate job to run her own business on her terms. This experience showed her that the constant pursuit of being the best leads only to burnout.
Instead, snail girls focus on harmony. Their lives move slowly, without pressure and the necessity of chasing the next goals. "Be your own snail," they say, celebrating each day and enjoying small pleasures such as a quiet evening with a book or a leisurely walk.
Generation Z redefines success
For snail girls, work is just a tool for earning a living, not its meaning. The idea of work-life balance, which was a dream for older generations, has become a reality for Gen Z. Young people don't want to sacrifice their health and time for a career. What matters to them is the possibility of personal development, but on their own terms – without pressure and burnout.
According to Ludbey, snail girls compete in only one race: who gets home first to retreat into their safe haven. Peace and comfort are more important to them than corporate accolades or prestigious positions.
While many admire snail girls for their courage in defining success on their own terms, critics are not lacking. Some older generations accuse them of laziness and lack of ambition. However, snail girls emphasize that their choices are conscious – they prefer to be happy rather than conforming to norms that bring more stress than satisfaction.
