What makes Gen Zs happy?

MANY believe that the purpose of life is to find what makes you happy, but when you live in a world wherein all you’re expected to do is work until you die, it’s kind of hard to find the time to fulfill that purpose. 

Thankfully, the human spirit manages to persevere; through every generation, whether it be in big or small ways, people are always able to find ways to enjoy the things that bring happiness to their lives. 

What, however, is this source of happiness for Gen Zs? Can a concept of this objective even have a common denominator over a generation made up of millions of people, a generation that has been labeled the largest on earth?

To find out what makes Gen Zs happy, we at republicasia asked our employees what exactly it is that brings them joy. 

RA speaks

As per a recent survey from the Walton Family Foundation, it was found that the happiness of Gen Zs is often influenced by their sense of purpose at work or at school. 

Other influences on Gen Z and their happiness are their basic needs and security, emotions, and social connections. 

Of course, it’s hard to generalize what exactly makes an entire generation happy.

21-year-old Brenda Gonzales, for example, finds happiness in hanging out with her friends via doing movie marathons, eating snacks, and undergoing fun activities. 

She values time spent with her loved ones, as this improves her bond with them. 

“It makes us know everything about [each other,] and the presence or vibes that [I] feel around them [makes] me happy,” she explained.

Margarette Afan, 24, on the other hand, loves going to concerts and playing video games, with the latter serving as a fun way for her to escape reality and connect with her friends while unwinding. 

Meanwhile, as 23-year-old Bryan Gadingan has recently begun his professional career, he finds happiness in watching films, playing basketball, working out, and spending quality time with his loved ones. 

Bryan, who faces a lot of stress at work, also finds happiness in these things because they allow him to escape reality, even if it’s just for a little bit.

“Having an avenue or chance to relax allows me to replenish my energy for the next [few] days, which is really important to me,” he explained.

“So mas nagbubuhos din ako ng oras pagdating sa mga bagay na ito tuwing sumasapit ang weekend, as it is important for me and it makes me happy talaga.”

Despite the differences in their interests, there are still common points in which these Gen Zs come together, including music. 

Margarette, who often listens to alternative rock, nu metal, and Filipino rock, finds that her taste in music lifts her spirits, making her life a bit brighter. 

Through listening to music and attending concerts, she’s able to create unforgettable memories and a sense of belonging different from the kind you’d get if you were to listen to music at home. 

“It’s the energy of the crowd that stands out the most – everyone singing along, dancing, and sharing [in] collective excitement,” she said.

Margarette also feels that Gen Zs find happiness in connecting with loved ones on social media, taking care of their mental health, and of course, enjoying new, different experiences like going to concerts or traveling.

Another important factor in keeping Gen Zs happy is spending quality time with the people they love. 

“Either nanonood man ng series, eating their favorite food, or hanging out with friends, the unifying denominator is it allows people to escape [their] bombarding environment,” Bryan explained. 

“As long as it provides them with the comfort or enjoyment they require to recover a little, they will spend a significant amount of time on it.”

For Bryan, the happiness of Gen Zs is a concept that’s simple to grasp: they find excitement in comfort, as well as stability and relaxation, just like any other generation before them.

And, given the stressful hustle and bustle of life, who can blame them if they need a pick-me-up from time to time?