Meet the New Wave of Post-Work Enthusiasts in Singapore

In Singapore, the hustle doesn't end when the clock strikes six! Meet Ms. Calista Battista, a 25-year-old senior digital marketing executive, who not only clocks out at 6:05 PM but also embarks on a 17.5km bike ride home. Her vibrant post-work routine includes preparing a delicious home-cooked meal and winding down before bed, all of which she beautifully packages into 30-second TikTok clips for her over 2,900 followers.

Unleashing the '5-9' Trend: A Gen Z Movement

Calista exemplifies the trendy '5-9 after a 9-5' phenomenon—a movement sweeping across social media, especially among Gen Zs and millennials eager to fill their evenings with meaningful activities rather than passive screen time. With a staggering 48,000 videos under the #5to9 hashtag on TikTok, the trend highlights a quest to escape the mundanity of daily life.

Like Calista, Singaporean Simranjit Kaur joins the movement, leveraging her TikTok account to inspire productivity after hours. 'I used to just come home and doomscroll,' she admitted, 'but making these videos has helped me look forward to my evenings and make the most of my time.'

Reclaiming Time and Identity

According to Associate Professor Hong Renyi from the National University of Singapore, this trend reflects a collective desire among young people to reclaim their time and construct their identities beyond employment. They are pivoting from conventional leisure activities, such as binge-watching TV, toward more enriching pursuits like learning a new skill or engaging in a hobby.

Building Community Through Sharing

Kristina Gemzon, a 35-year-old business development manager, resonates with this sentiment as she creates her daily routine videos. 'Social media transforms the world into an accessible space where we can connect with people beyond our usual circles,' she noted. The feedback she's received indicates her videos have inspired even her viewers to make their own evenings more productive.

Finding Balance in the Everyday

For PhD student Sharah Capinpin, watching these videos provides reassurance and inspiration for achieving balance. 'I see how others in my field manage their after-work lives, and it shows me that a fulfilling balance is achievable,' she shared.

As Singapore's Gen Z continues to redefine what it means to live beyond the daily grind, the '5-9 after a 9-5' movement fosters not just personal growth but also a wider sense of community—confirming that life can be both productive and enjoyable!