Chillaxing in Style: ‘Lying Flat’ Movement, the Newest Revolution

Retirement homes in China have gotten a facelift, and it’s not for the golden oldies anymore. A new trend has emerged: burned-out professionals looking for a place to “retire” way before the age of 65—try the ripe old age of 30.

These facilities embrace lifestyle philosophies like “FIRE” (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and the famous Chinese mantra “lying flat,” which essentially means doing the bare minimum to get by. Imagine a sloth on a tropical vacation, but with a mortgage and a disdain for overtime. “Nursing homes for the youth” aren’t just a city thing; they’ve popped up in provinces like Yunnan and Shandong, giving everyone a chance to hit the snooze button on life.

They’re focused on the mental well-being of their young clients, offering bars, cafes, and karaoke rooms—a trifecta of relaxation, socializing, and belting out off-key renditions of “My Heart Will Go On.” The Post explains what these “nursing homes” reveal about the future of China’s workforce.

A Reset for the 30-Somethings

Most residents are in their 20s and 30s, and it’s not like they plan to spend the next few decades knitting and playing bingo. For many, “retirement” is just a temporary pit stop, like a career time-out, but with less whining and more wine.

“Some people wonder why these young folks are ‘retiring’ so early. Well, a lot of us in our thirties feel lost. I was once one of them,” said 32-year-old Lu Leilei, who opened a nursing home in Yunnan province earlier this year. At Lu’s facility, the morning kicks off with coffee at the bar—because adulting without caffeine is a nightmare—followed by ba duan jin (a form of qigong), and meditation on the mountain. Afternoons are all about farming, fishing in the river, and cooking in the communal kitchen. Evenings? That’s when everyone gathers around a bonfire for drinks, conversations, mahjong, and karaoke. At the entrance, a banner proudly proclaims: “Please lie down.” And no, it’s not a subliminal message from your mattress.

Alternatives to the Conventional Career Trajectory

The surge in popularity of these homes shows a broader shift among young Chinese adults seeking alternatives to the typical climb-the-ladder, rinse-and-repeat career path. “Since I posted about the youth nursing home online, I’ve been swamped with DMs and WeChat friend requests, all asking how to move in,” Lu shared, clearly surprised by the overwhelming interest in early “retirement.”

Embracing the ‘FIRE’ Movement

Meanwhile, a growing number of individuals inspired by the “FIRE” movement are plotting their escape from the rat race, aiming for permanent retirement in their 30s or 40s. On Chinese social media platform Douban, the “FIRE lifestyle” group has amassed over 230,000 members—clearly, a lot of people are ready to turn off the alarm clock for good.

Originating in the West, the FIRE movement was first described in a 1992 book called "Your Money or Your Life," which advocates aggressive savings and relying on investment returns to achieve early resignation. It’s basically financial Houdini for those who want to escape the work grind.

While in the West, the FIRE lifestyle is typically pursued by high-net-worth individuals (think Wall Street wolves turning into yoga-practicing sheep), in countries like South Korea and China, it attracts regular workers and employees desperate for a better work-life balance. Even unemployed youths are hopping on this trend, preferring to do less rather than stress over achieving more.

So, whether it’s through early retirement or “lying flat,” China’s young professionals are redefining what it means to live life to the fullest—one karaoke session at a time.