What Is Revenge Bedtime Procrastination And Why Gen Zs Are Struggling With It

For many Gen Zs, the day doesn’t truly begin until everyone else is asleep. It is a quiet, late-night rebellion against the relentless demands of school, work, and social expectations. Known as Revenge Bedtime Procrastination, this phenomenon involves sacrificing sleep for leisure time that feels stolen from a day otherwise stripped of personal agency. As the boundaries between professional and private life blur in a hyper-connected world, staying up until 3:00 AM scrolling or streaming isn’t just a bad habit—it’s a desperate attempt to reclaim a sense of self.

What is Revenge Bedtime Procrastination?

The term, popularised by journalist Daphne K. Lee, describes the decision to delay sleep in response to a lack of free time during the day. It is "revenge" because individuals feel they are getting back at their hectic schedules. Unlike standard insomnia, where the person wants to sleep but cannot, bedtime procrastinators voluntarily stay awake despite knowing they will be exhausted the next morning. It typically manifests as mindless scrolling, gaming, or binge-watching—activities that require low effort but provide immediate hits of dopamine. It is a psychological coping mechanism where the "night owl" hours become the only window of total autonomy.

Why Gen Zs are Struggling With It

Gen Z is uniquely susceptible to this cycle due to several modern pressures. As the first digitally native generation, the "always-on" culture of social media means their brains are constantly stimulated. Furthermore, Gen Z faces a high-pressure "hustle culture" and a volatile job market, often juggling side hustles alongside full-time commitments.

The lack of work-life boundaries—exacerbated by remote work—means the day never feels truly finished. For a generation that prioritises mental health but faces record levels of anxiety, the quiet of the night is the only time they feel free from judgment and digital noise. Consequently, they trade physical health (sleep) for emotional relief, creating a cycle of daytime fatigue and nighttime alertness.

Image Credit: IMDb, Instagram

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