Why it’s okay to feel “meh” about your job sometimes

Stop managing the vibe in the office. Thank you.

Many cybersecurity professionals we speak with dream of pursuing rural hobbies. Some even fantasize about leaving city life behind entirely. These highly valued and well-compensated employees sometimes find themselves disillusioned with corporate culture and envision a simpler life – perhaps running an alpaca farm. But what drives this shift?

Recently, I had a rather long conversation with a top executive at a prominent tech firm (whose name I won’t disclose to respect the privacy of the discussion) about corporate culture and generational differences.

Given our differing perspectives on employee engagement, I asked the executive whether it’s acceptable for employees to opt out of corporate events. Their response surprised me. Apparently, choosing not to participate – even if you’re working during those hours – is frowned upon. They referred to this behavior as “silent quitting.”

From an employer’s perspective, silent (or quiet) quitting carries negative connotations. It describes employees who only fulfill their main responsibilities without going above and beyond. From an employee’s point of view, however, this approach can seem perfectly reasonable. After all, isn’t it healthy to establish boundaries, prioritize work-life balance, and avoid investing unnecessary emotional energy where it isn’t warranted?

It’s natural to assume that someone who only does what is required of them is less likely to receive a promotion or a raise. But I wonder: does doing the bare minimum apply solely to work-related tasks, or does it extend to work-related social outings as well?

Also, are we truly burned out from completing our actual tasks, or is the exhaustion coming from the pressure to be overly engaged in socializing with coworkers under the guise of being "woke?"

I suppose I wouldn’t make a great vibe manager. I’m the kind of person who prefers to sit quietly in a corner with a book during lunch. I’d call it a silent retreat – a way to preserve my sanity.

Emotionally charged news reports, tantrum politics, vibe managing in the office – I suddenly find myself so overwhelmed by alien emotions that I have no space left for my own.

Similarly to those cybersecurity professionals, I find myself dreaming of running a goat farm somewhere far from the city.

But I’m sure the uninvited vibes would haunt me in some wood cabin, too, as algorithms know us better than anyone else.

My daughter once stumbled upon an incredibly addictive YouTube video featuring Nastya and Roma. I watched as she became transfixed, and later, her behavior changed – she started acting out after watching the video. In it, the kids kept receiving various gifts, playing with each for only a moment before moving on to the next.

At five and a half years old, my daughter would become angry and irritated after watching these videos. Naturally, I tried deleting the YouTube history on all our devices to prevent her from finding them again. That didn’t go as planned – even though the YouTube app was cleared, the algorithm began suggesting copycat shows. And there are hundreds of them. Before long, these videos dominated our account once again.

YouTube is a black hole that tries to swallow you whole. TikTok, of course, is no better, relentlessly pushing all sorts of toxic content our way. Luckily, young minds can learn to navigate these murky algorithmic waters and craft sharp responses to media “heroes” like the Tate brothers and Sneako, who peddle anti-feminist rhetoric online.

Keir Starmer, Britain’s prime minister, has recently endorsed Netflix's plan to stream Adolescence nationwide for free.

“The challenges raised by Adolescence aren't something we can simply legislate for — if I could pull a lever to solve it, I would,” he said.

Bullying has taken a disturbing turn in schools. But it’s equally pervasive in the workplace – only there, it’s disguised as a “vibe.”