The five-to-nine: how Gen Z are stealing back time from their corporate jobs

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. My mornings are typically lazy, but not today, because I’m testing the viral “five-to-nine” routine, which sees corporate Gen Z-ers document themselves – either before work from 5am to 9am or after work from 5pm to 9pm – performing an action-packed step-by-step wellness programme made up of exercise, personal growth work, meal-prepping, skincare and side-hustling. “Everyone seems to be running marathons or balancing some sort of creative pursuit alongside their jobs, and I watch these videos and feel a weird pressure like… am I going to be left behind?” The five-to-nine lifestyle appeals to Ketki because she also desires to regain control of her life outside of work – it’s just an impossible balance to strike. Now I’m working, it almost feels like you have to sustain the lifestyle you had before but just squeezing it into those two gaps before or after work.” open image in gallery Through the five-to-nine routine, thousands of Gen Z workers are trying to reclaim their time – and their personalities – back from their corporate jobs This squeeze is being experienced by more than just one generation. “The reality is that many people feel so overwhelmed by their careers that they leave work late, spend their commute home checking their emails, and then spend their ‘down time’ either working more or numbing themselves with television or social media.” He explains that many people can feel stagnant, which is why learning something new in your free time can be so important.