The #snailgirl hashtag has racked up 1.7 million views on TikTok. — AFP
FORGET hustle culture, where workers are totally invested in their jobs. A growing number of employees now aspire to a slower pace at work in order to ensure a better work-life balance.
This trend is contributing to the emergence of “snail girls,” professionals who give priority to their own happiness and personal fulfillment rather than their careers.
This expression was coined by Australian entrepreneur Sienna Ludbey in an article published in September in Fashion Journal. In it, she explains how she became a “snail girl;” five years after launching her brand of vintage-style bags, purses and keychains.
The “snail girl” term refers to women who prioritise their well-being and happiness over being busy or overworked. “Snail girl, for me, is not about a holiday or stopping work completely. I love what I do and the amazing community that has supported my brand.
It’s just about taking that time to remember to not be as hard on myself, to have a work-life balance and to stop comparing my journey to others,” she explains in the magazine.
Internet users became familiar with the term “snail girl” after Fashion Journal shared Sienna Ludbey’s testimonial on TikTok. One of the magazine’s editors, Maggie Zhou, states in her post that “snail girls” effectively stand in opposition to the concept of “girl bosses.”
This expression gained popularity in the 2010s thanks to Sophia Amoruso, founder of the Nasty Gal clothing brand and author of a book giving advice on how to be a powerful businesswoman.
It was then taken up by the women’s press to talk about female leadership.
Slowing down to improve well-being
However, younger generations are increasingly critical of the ambitious “girl boss” figure. They are pushing for the emergence of alternative models that are less productivity-driven and more focused on personal well-being. After all, research suggests that employee morale is at an all-time low.
Some 72% of workers say they have an unhealthy relationship with their work, according to a survey conducted by HP among nearly 12,000 office workers worldwide. They feel that their careers take up far too much room in their lives, and that this has an impact on their physical and mental health.
It’s against this backdrop of general dissatisfaction that the “snail girl” concept came about. It is particularly popular with TikTok users, as the hashtag #snailgirl has racked up 1.7 million views on the social network.
For the most part, videos talking about it show the daily routine of young women who claim to be “snail girls.” It’s all about slowing down the pace, taking care of yourself and dialing down the pressure.
Except that it’s not always easy to slow the pace at work with total peace of mind. Work culture is often based on the belief that achieving more is always better.
So, adopting a snail’s pace in the office could potentially hinder the career development of “snail girls” who have made this choice. But it doesn’t have to be a career killer, according to business coach Natalie Trice.
“Slowing doesn’t mean the end of your career and dreams, but that you need time for other things as well,” she told Fortune magazine.
“As someone who has experienced burnout more than once in the relentless pursuit of reaching the next goal, I know only too well that finding the right balance is the real key to success.” — AFP Relaxnews
