But the phrase is a little misleading. Quiet quitting doesn’t mean you stop working or give up on your job. Instead, it means doing only what your role requires, without constantly going the extra mile at the cost of your health and personal life.

In simple words, quiet quitting is about drawing a line. It’s about saying, “I’ll do my work sincerely, but I won’t sacrifice my peace of mind for unrealistic expectations.” Let’s understand this concept better and see how it shows up in both work and personal life.

At The Mind Veda, we see many individuals and professionals grappling with this balance. Quiet quitting is not laziness it’s about drawing a line. It’s about saying, “I’ll do my work sincerely, but I won’t sacrifice my peace of mind for unrealistic expectations.”

What Does Quiet Quitting Really Mean?

Quiet quitting is not about being lazy. It’s about refusing to overwork yourself. People who practice it still meet deadlines, attend meetings, and finish their tasks. What they don’t do is constantly stretch themselves like working late every night, taking on others’ responsibilities, or being available 24/7.

Example: Riya, who works in marketing, used to stay back late almost every evening to prepare extra reports. After months of stress and no appreciation, she decided to stop doing the “extra.” She still does her job well, but she no longer burns herself out.

Quiet Quitting at Work

At work, quiet quitting usually happens when people feel tired, unrecognized, or taken for granted. When you’re giving 120% every day but get treated like you’re giving only 80%, it’s natural to pull back.

Why do people do this?

• They feel their hard work isn’t noticed.
• They want to protect their mental health.
• They are trying to balance work with personal life.

Example: Raj, a software engineer, used to attend late-night calls for clients in different time zones. But after months of poor sleep and no thanks from his boss, he stopped joining unnecessary calls. He still does his work properly during the day, but he now protects his nights.

Quiet Quitting in Personal Life

This idea doesn’t stop at the workplace it shows up in personal life too. Sometimes, in relationships, one person gives too much while the other gives very little. Over time, the giver may quietly pull back to protect themselves.

• In friendships, someone may stop making plans if they are always the one putting in effort.
• In families, one person may stop taking full responsibility for every festival or outing if nobody values it.
• In romantic relationships, a partner may stop going out of their way when they feel their efforts are ignored.

 Example: Meera always planned family get-togethers. But when nobody appreciated her efforts, she stopped organizing events. She didn’t stop loving her family she just stopped overdoing it.

Is Quiet Quitting Helpful or Harmful?

The answer is: it can be both.

When It Helps

Quiet quitting can be healthy because it sets boundaries. It helps you save energy for the things that matter your health, hobbies, or loved ones. Many people find they are actually more focused at work once they stop overdoing it.

Example: Suresh, a teacher, decided not to check school emails after work. This gave him more time with his kids, improved his sleep, and made him more cheerful in class.

When It Hurts

Quiet quitting becomes harmful when it turns into complete emotional withdrawal. If you stop caring about your work or relationships at all, you may feel empty, disconnected, or miss chances for growth.

 Example: Anjali stopped talking to her partner about her feelings because she felt unheard. Over time, this silence created a gap between them, and their relationship suffered.

The Middle Path: Balance, Not Avoidance

The key is not to confuse quiet quitting with quitting on life. The goal is to find a balance.

• Think about why you’re pulling back. Is it stress? Lack of rest? Feeling unseen?
• Talk it out. Sometimes bosses, friends, or family don’t even realize how you feel.
• Protect your time. Saying “no” when needed doesn’t make you a bad worker or partnerit makes you healthier.
• Stay engaged in what matters. Don’t shut down completely. Choose where your energy goes.

Example: Vikram, a lawyer, started refusing weekend work unless absolutely necessary. His team was surprised at first, but later respected him for setting limits. He didn’t stop being good at his job—he just stopped sacrificing his entire life for it.

At The Mind Veda, we believe mental health and well-being come from balance. Quiet quitting is one way people are learning to protect their energy in today’s demanding world. Think of your energy like a phone battery. If you run every app all the time, it drains fast. Quiet quitting is like closing the apps you don’t need so your battery lasts longer. You’re not throwing the phone away you’re just using it wisely.

Quiet quitting isn’t about giving up. It’s about choosing balance over burnout. When done thoughtfully, it helps people protect their health, focus on what’s important, and create a more sustainable life.

But if it turns into total detachment, it can harm relationships and career growth. The best approach is to see it as a reminder to set healthy boundaries not to check out completely.