Gen Z is ‘raw dogging’ boredom by literally doing nothing

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Some Gen Z users are getting attention online for a trick they use to stop themselves from getting stuck endlessly scrolling through bad news on social media.

It’s actually pretty rare to be truly bored these days. If you find yourself with free time, there are endless things to do on your phone to keep you occupied.

We have more options than ever for entertainment – from TikTok and Instagram to streaming services like Netflix and HBO. But surprisingly, some members of Generation Z are actively choosing to experience boredom.

Gen Z is ‘fixing’ their attention spans by embracing boredom

This trend started in early October and is gaining popularity again in November, with many Gen Z individuals openly sharing their enjoyment of simply doing absolutely nothing.

Young adults, aged 13 to 28, are increasingly choosing to disconnect from technology – putting aside their phones, tablets, and televisions – to spend time in quiet solitude, allowing themselves to simply be with their own thoughts.

People are jokingly calling the trend of intentionally being bored ‘raw-dogging’ boredom, but those who’ve experienced it for longer describe it as simply enjoying peaceful, internal thought.

Okay, so I’ve been seeing this new thing online, and it’s kinda wild. Apparently, a lot of people, especially Gen Z, are intentionally putting themselves into what they call ‘timeout’ – but they’re doing it as a way to, like, heal. Basically, it’s about completely shutting everything out: no phone, no TV, no music, even no snacks! They just sit there, completely still, for about 15 minutes, and they’re calling it ‘raw dogging boredom‘. Sounds kinda strange, right? Some people think it’s totally weird, but others are saying it’s actually a really smart way to deal with stress and just…reset. I’m honestly a little curious to try it, but also…fifteen minutes of nothing? That’s a long time when you’re used to constant stimulation!

— HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) November 5, 2025

A lot of young people from Gen Z are trying this technique to improve their focus, believing that constantly watching short videos on platforms like TikTok and Reels has made it harder to concentrate.

A TikTok creator named Rowan is well-known for popularizing this technique. They completed a thirty-day challenge, sitting without distractions for one hour each day.

After completing his challenge, Rowan described feeling incredibly accomplished. He explained that the project helped him start improving himself, become more productive, and live a fuller life.

Not everyone agrees with this approach, though. Many people commenting on these videos are doubtful that just spending an hour a day relaxing will quickly improve a weakened ability to focus.

A popular observation about Gen Z, shared on X, is their tendency to rebrand existing concepts as if they were original ideas.

“Rebranding meditation is wild,” another remarked.

Research shows that there’s a link between how much time teenagers spend on social media and their grades – generally, more social media use is associated with lower test scores. Studies also suggest our ability to focus has decreased recently, dropping from an average attention span of 75 seconds to just 47 seconds in the past few years.

A new food trend started by Gen Z is going viral: putting frozen tomatoes on toast. It began last year and has quickly gained attention online.

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2025-11-05 21:19