Inside Gen Z’s ‘Lockdown Liberation’ mindset: new survey
What young Australians are thinking, feeling and doing – and how they’re shopping.
Normal programming may have been put on pause for 20 months, but young Australians are hoping for a new chapter - and are enjoying summer armed with a new outlook on life.
These are the findings of a new study commissioned by Afterpay and undertaken by McCrindle Research, which provides insights into how Gen Z and Millennials are feeling right now.
Afterpay’s Lockdown Liberation Study surveyed 1000 Gen Z and Millennials aged 18-41 across the country, and analysed the impact the pandemic has had on their lives and spending habits.
A new outlook
Almost half of respondents (45 per cent) say that taking care of their mental health was the biggest lesson from the past 20 months. Meanwhile, the vast majority of Gen Z and Millennials (82 per cent) say they have become much more aware of their mental health during the pandemic.
And this new outlook on wellbeing doesn’t end with mental health; 62 per cent report that they’re eating better compared to before the pandemic, and 75 per cent say physical wellbeing is more important to them now, too.
The Great Resignation
The pandemic has forced this new generation to learn to adapt, with many Gen Z and Millennials putting plans on hold – whether that’s buying property (21 per cent), moving house (18 per cent), getting married (16 per cent) or having a baby (14 per cent).
The pandemic has also prompted many to re-evaluate their careers, and in 2022, more than half – 55 per cent – have realised they want to change jobs. The past two years have taught many Australians (32 per cent) that they want a better work-life balance, but more than half admit to missing seeing their work colleagues more than they expected.
The social set
For a generation raised on technology – and who used social media as their go-to for updates during the pandemic – a quarter of Gen Z and Millennials say they plan to use social media less frequently than they did during COVID-19.
Shared meals
After months of harsh lockdowns, young Australians say that it’s the simple pleasures they missed most during the pandemic - like shared meals - and, pending further restrictions, one in two people are looking forward to grabbing a bite to eat with family and friends. And given 77 per cent missed out on celebrating key milestone events, there’s a lot to catch up on.
Escape time
It comes as no surprise that everyone’s busting to get out and about, with some of the most popular planned purchases related to travel and experiences. More than half of Gen Z and Millennials (56 per cent) say that travelling again is the number one thing they’re most excited about: 59 per cent will be booking an international holiday as soon as restrictions ease, while 82 per cent are dreaming of a local break.
Retail therapy
Before they go anywhere, though, hitting refresh on the style front is on the agenda, with 42 per cent of next-gens planning to hit the shops, and 34 per cent booking in those long overdue personal care appointments.
And it turns out that plenty of Australians have missed in-store shopping.
Why?
66 per cent want to return to looking and feeling products in person
55 per cent want to try things on again
55 per cent want to physically compare products
41 per cent want to hit the food courts while they shop
Shoppers might be looking at the price tag more carefully than pre-COVID though, with 82 per cent of people becoming more conscious of finances during the pandemic. However, with more than half reaching their savings goals, it’s likely that Gen Z and Millennials have money to spend.
Heading into 2022, there’s a sense of getting back on track. After so many cancellations, and so many plans put on hold, Gen Z and Millennials are finally hoping for liberation from lockdowns.
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