A new lifestyle choice has emerged among China’s younger generation. They call themselves “light people”, and here, the Post explains why. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Unveiling ‘Light Living’: A Fresh Chinese Lifestyle Choice with a Twist on ‘Tang Ping’, Mastering its Art and Reaping Rewards
The concept of ‘Light Living’ is a testament to the evolving aspirations of China’s youth, gravitating towards a path marked by minimal resistance.
This burgeoning trend finds its stronghold on the Xiaohongshu social media platform, where the hashtag “light people” has garnered a staggering 175,000 views.
Embracing a lifestyle adorned with an air of nonchalance, emotional stability, and well-defined personal boundaries, the youth embody an ethos of indifference towards life’s ebbs and flows.
Comparable to the viral phenomenon of ‘tang ping’ or ‘lying flat’, wherein individuals engage solely in essential pursuits, ‘Light Living’ offers a nuanced departure.
At its core, ‘Light Living’ advocates for an emotion-neutral outlook, viewing life’s challenges, particularly adversities, as mere facets of destiny to be gracefully navigated.
Eschewing the pursuit of material wealth and entanglements in relationships, adherents prefer to let fleeting infatuations dissipate, believing that forcing connections would only lead to eventual disillusionment.
Their mantra encapsulates a simple sentiment: “Let it go. Let it flow.”
Critics may label adherents as “half alive”, citing their seemingly lackluster existence. However, this lifestyle serves as a deliberate deviation from the norm.
Contrastingly, individuals embodying a ‘Dense Living’ ethos thrive on vivacity, exuding extroverted energy in their interactions and sartorial choices, often punctuating conversations with exclamation marks.
Their expressive nature extends beyond mere communication, aspiring to inspire and uplift those around them.
While ‘Tang Ping’ gained traction in response to mounting societal pressures and economic constraints, ‘Light Living’ represents a nuanced departure.
In contrast to the passive recline associated with ‘Tang Ping’, adherents of ‘Light Living’ sporadically engage with life’s offerings, albeit conservatively, mindful of preserving their energy reserves.
The allure of ‘Light Living’ extends to its icons, with celebrities embodying carefree personas like mainland actress Yan Ni and rapper Ice Spice, whose mellifluous cadence resonates with the ethos of tranquility and detachment.
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