In an age where success is expected to be immediate, aesthetic, and algorithm-friendly, India’s urban Gen Z is burning out before their careers even begin. Armed with degrees, internships, side hustles, and personal
brands, many 20-somethings are realising that the promise of “limitless potential” comes with a price: deep confusion, emotional fatigue, and the constant fear of falling behind.
Counsellors say they’re seeing early signs of emotional burnout in 20-somethings like panic attacks, anxiety, and self-doubt even before their first full-time salary hits the bank. But they also say that this generation is not broken. They just need space, tools, and a reminder that it’s okay to go slow.
Expert Speak
“There’s a clear trend of career confusion,” says Disha Shah, an international student counsellor who guides Indian students heading abroad. “Students doing a commerce degree are learning to code, run thrift pages, and trying to build a content creator presence; all at once. The belief is that doing everything increases chances of success. But instead, they feel scattered and overwhelmed.”
This feeling that there’s a “right path” and you’re running late to find it is more common than ever. Riddhi Mishra, (21), a Strategic Communication and Journalism graduate who is working at a leading fashion magazine says, “The primary fear that drove me was the fear of time running out. With people your age doing big things, it’s hard not to assume you’re falling behind.”
The idea of success itself has shifted. Gen Z isn’t just aiming for good jobs. They’re expected to curate “multi-hyphenated identities” and build “profitable personal brands” before they’ve even settled into a role. “It’s no longer about joyfully experimenting,” says Disha. “It’s a frantic effort to cover all bases.”
Avni Vira, a counsellor and (IO) industrial and organisational psychologist says Gen Z is under constant pressure from algorithms, families, and peers. “They come in anxious. They’re managing college, internships, trying to go abroad, creating content, and doing unpaid work, all while worrying they’re not doing enough.”
Avni has noticed signs of silent burnout: restlessness, constant rumination, panic attacks when the topic of “career” even comes up. “They feel like they have to show everything on social media. If something doesn’t get likes, they delete it. That cycle chips away at confidence.”
Help At Hand
But all is not lost. Many young people are already taking small but steady steps to reclaim their pace. “The key is not to do more, but to align what you’re doing,” Disha says. “I tell students to pause, reflect, and see if their efforts are part of a coherent path. Not everything needs to be monetized. Passion needs patience, not panic.”
Avni offers something simple but effective: aptitude testing. “It helps you understand your strongest abilities and combine them with what you love. If you like writing but have strength in finance, we find ways to blend the two.” Her advice to overwhelmed clients? “Success is not a 10-minute delivery like Zomato or Blinkit. It’s not a race. You don’t have to figure it all out at once.”
Redefining Passion
There’s a common myth that following your passion means giving up on financial stability. But for many Gen Z workers, it’s not either/or. Riddhi puts it simply: “Find the sweet spot in the industry; somewhere you’re interested or positively challenged and are allowed a living wage. Passion projects and boring jobs both pay peanuts in the beginning. Early career is more of an extension of education than a shortcut to millions.”
Young workers and students should balance dreams with practicality. You can’t just follow passion blindly. It takes clarity and perseverance. Parents, mentors, and institutions have a key role to play. Disha recounts a student who scored 98% but chose commerce over science. “We showed the parents how strong and successful a commerce career could be. It worked. The child’s interest came first, not old stereotypes.”
Support like this, where guidance replaces pressure can transform the path. “We need to create a culture of slow exploration,” Disha says. “Where it’s okay to try, fail, and try again.”
Burnout Indicators
If you’re constantly exhausted, overwhelmed even by small decisions, or feeling like you’re “doing everything but going nowhere,” these might be signs of silent burnout. Some other red flags are: skipping meals, withdrawing socially, anxious overthinking, and performance fear. Disha adds: “Burnout often hides behind productivity. If you’re doing a lot but feel no joy, it’s time to pause.” And that pause is not a weakness, it’s power. The most courageous thing you can do is to slow down and listen to your own voice.
