WTF: Politically Woke, Personally Lost; Inside Gen Z’s Inner Disconnect

What The Fact: Gen Z is rewriting the rules of protest. They are fiercely active online, yet often restless offline. Across the globe, from Kathmandu to Casablanca, Rome to Lima, young voices are demanding change. They march against corruption, inequality, and creeping authoritarianism—hashtag trend. Streets become stages for dissent.

Yet beneath the activism lies a paradox. This generation is politically woke, yet personally adrift. Many struggle with anxiety, isolation, and uncertainty about the future. They fight for society, but sometimes feel lost in their own lives. Passion for justice clashes with personal fragility.

Why They Protest

The reasons differ, such as corruption, inequality, shrinking jobs, or authoritarian rule. The mood is the same: systems feel broken. Social media fuels the fire. In Nepal and Bangladesh, digital-first protests went so far as to topple governments.

Digital Natives, Political Warriors

Gen Z doesn’t wait for TV debates. They go straight to TikTok, Insta, or memes. Complex politics is translated into quick swipes and viral infographics. That’s how global causes like Black Lives Matter and Fridays for Future stayed alive.

They’re value-driven, including racial justice, climate change, and equality. But they don’t trust mainstream media. Instead, they look for independent creators, verified fact-checkers, and peer voices.

ALSO READ: WTF: Gen Z Turns To Dating Apps Instead Of Doctors For Sexual Health Guidance

Mental Health Strain

But awareness comes at a cost. The pandemic messed with social confidence. Anxiety, burnout, and loneliness are part of the package.

UNICEF 2025 says 60 per cent of Gen Z feel overwhelmed. McKinsey finds that they stress more about climate and inequality than older generations. Six Seconds shows emotional intelligence is slipping. Heliyon 2023 links perfectionism to isolation. Gen Z knows the world’s problems, but they’re burning out fast.

 The “Soft Life” Move

Many are rejecting hustle culture. Instead, they choose the “soft life”, protecting peace, prioritising mental health, and setting boundaries. It’s not laziness. It’s survival in a 24/7 connected world.

Activism as Identity

For Gen Z, activism isn’t just action. It’s self-expression. Protests, petitions, and campaigns aren’t side projects; they’re who they are. Activism helps them fight injustice, but also helps them cope with the anxiety of living in constant crisis mode.

Gen Z is politically awake, loud, creative, and unafraid. But they’re also personally lost, weighed down by mental strain. Protests prove their power, but power needs grounding. Building real community beyond screens, investing in mental health, and creating spaces where activism and self-care can coexist may close the gap. Governments and institutions must listen, but Gen Z must also learn to sustain itself for the long haul. Their fight is global, but their healing has to be personal too.

(NOTE: This article is part of the series 'WTF'. To read more articles in the series, click here)