Gen Z Are Not Boring, They Are Just Poor And Overstimulated

Gen Z single-handedly killed live music, drinking culture, and socialising in general.

Are young adults today boring? Or is Gen Z simply redefining what fun means?

But instead of assuming Gen Z are all sitting at home being boring, new research from the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has shed some light on what’s really happening.

The NTIA commissioned Obsurvant to speak to 2,001 people aged 18-30 across the UK to find out why fewer young people are hitting the clubs.

Turns out, 68% of those surveyed said they’re staying in more because, quite frankly, the economy is rough right now. More than half (53%) admitted they’re spending less on nights out than this time last year.

The stats don’t lie: 61% said they’re simply going out less often, and only 16% admitted they’re heading out more after 10pm.

But it’s not just about money — there’s genuine concern around safety too. Over a third said they feel anxious, unsafe, or uneasy going out at night. Nearly 70% said they’d feel more comfortable staying out later if public transport was better.

Gen Z, dealing with tighter finances, is spending less on short-term pleasures like nights out and more on things that support self-growth and long-term goals.

Unlike past generations like Gen X and older Millennials (born early 80s) who often spent on short-lived pleasures, Gen Z spends their money on wellness, personal development, and experiences that offer lasting value.

Gen Z has turned “boring” into a lifestyle choice, transforming financial limits into a form of empowerment.

This isn’t a calculated response but a natural generational shift shaped by economic realities and the satisfaction that comes from making intentional choices.

By spending on what truly matters to them, they experience real fulfilment—a trend that’s likely to continue with Gen Alpha. For brands, understanding and adapting to this value-driven mindset will be key to staying relevant.

Another reason Gen Z is perceived as boring is overstimulation.

Gen Z is overstimulated

Gen Z is tired of noise. Overstimulated by social media, constant news, and endless “must-do” experiences, they’ve turned inward — choosing calm, control, and intention.

Movements like #Cottagecore and #QuietLuxury make simplicity aspirational, turning staying in, soft lighting, and slow living into a kind of quiet rebellion.

Shaped by the financial crash and the pandemic, this generation finds comfort in predictability. Being “boring” has become a badge of balance and self-awareness—a way to reject burnout, false urgency, and the pressure to constantly perform.

They drink less, thrift more, and seek meaning over excess.

Brands are taking note. eBay’s Love Island partnership, for example, swapped fast fashion for pre-loved style, perfectly aligning with Gen Z’s ethical and slow-living values.

Lockdowns also redefined what “home” means. For Gen Z, it’s no longer a fallback, but the centre of comfort, creativity, and consumption. As they spend more time indoors, brands must adapt: connecting with audiences in their personal spaces or offering real-world experiences worth leaving home for.