Why Gen Z Is Tired of Being “Always Available”
“Got a sec?” “Quick call?” “Pinged you!” Perma-availability turns life into an open-plan office. It’s normal to want office hours for your attention. Here’s how to set them—without drama.
The Cost of Constant Reachability
- Shallow work all day; real work never starts.
- Relationship strain—half-present everywhere, fully present nowhere.
- Anxiety spikes from unpredictable interruptions.
Boundaries That Actually Work
- Focus modes: presets for work/study/sleep; allow VIPs only.
- Batch checks: 2–4 windows/day for messages and socials.
- No red badges: hide counts; urgency becomes real, not artificial.
- Status lines: “Heads-down 2–5 pm; will reply after.”
Shift Your Culture to Async
- Use shared docs/boards; decisions recorded, not buried in chats.
- Default to summaries, not streams—weekly recap beats daily pings.
- Set reply expectations: “Within 24 business hours unless urgent.”
Scripts (Copy & Edit)
- “I’m off notifications nights/weekends. Email if urgent.”
- “Can we move this to a doc? I’ll respond by tomorrow.”
- “I’m in focus mode 10–12; I’ll circle back after lunch.”
Final Thoughts
Always-on isn’t sustainable. Protect your attention with clear modes and rhythms. People adjust; your nervous system will thank you.
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