Solomaxxing After Work: What Is It — And Why Is Gen Z Doing It?
Plus 10 side quests to get your own off-duty lore started.
“What are you doing after work?”
There used to be only three possible answers to this question: one, you were off to manage your business or side hustle; two, if you were a student, you were probably headed to your freelance or part-time work; or three, you were simply going home to rest after a long day.
But times sure have changed. Life after work—if that is even the right way to call it—is no longer just about spending eight hours on duty, then using whatever time is left for another job or income stream.
Now, the answer could be anything. Maybe it’s Pilates. Maybe it’s pickleball with friends on a random Wednesday, then a matcha run at a café you’ve been wanting to try. And somewhere in between, you might take a dance class, squeeze in a gym session, or hit a run club.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is where solomaxxing comes in.
Born from the internet’s love for “maxxing,” or maximizing a specific part of your life, solomaxxing is pretty much what it sounds like: doing things solo. It’s about owning singlehood by focusing on your own hobbies, interests, activities, and experiences—or what Gen Z likes to call “side quests”—outside your usual routine and responsibilities.
Why Solomaxxing Is the New In Among Gen Z
If you think about it, it makes sense why Gen Z is solomaxxing. Our generation was raised in a “grind” culture, where productivity has always been equated with constant hustling, and everything we do is expected to put something into our pockets, especially for those who already have families to feed. It’s a toxic mindset that has long been linked to stress, overwork, burnout, and a poor work-life balance overall.
While older generations may have grown up believing that doing something just for fun was a luxury, or even a little rebellious, Gen Z is proving the opposite. You can pursue things simply because you enjoy them — without the need for a romantic partner or pressure from any specific timeline whatsoever. For us, making space for what we personally love is how we use our time more meaningfully, and, in turn, making our lives a little more exciting.
And solomaxxing doesn’t just become part of our everyday life. The bonus? It can shape our social lives—and maybe even love lives, if that’s where you’re eventually headed—too. That Pilates class or pickleball game can become your weekly ritual with friends; that dance class or gym session can introduce you to more connections; and even that run club can turn into a whole new circle.
You see, solomaxxing might be the most Gen Z thing we have done yet — and for all the right reasons.
So, what’s everyone doing to make solo life more interesting these days? Here are 10 activities taking over Gen Z’s time off work, along with our very own top picks for clubs, programs, and spots for you to check out.
1. Running and run clubs
Not a day goes by for sure without you seeing a Strava run update or two from your Instagram mutuals. For many, though, running is about more than logging the miles (to flex on social media) and staying fit.
The actual run is just the tip of the iceberg. A post-race coffee could follow or a group chat to plan the next session, and all of a sudden, your daily cardio has become your social club.
Some people even see it as the perfect setting for organic encounters, especially if you’re low-key looking for more than just a running buddy. (Oops.)
Gen Z Editor’s Pick:
2. Pickleball
Another way to meet people organically is through pickleball.
No longer a niche sport, its beginner-friendly nature has made it easy for Gen Z to turn one game into an entire afternoon or evening of chaos, laughter, and pure fun with friends or fellow players they’ve just met.
Because, sometimes, the best side quest is the one where you spend just as much time laughing as you do breaking a sweat.
Gen Z Editor’s Pick:
3. Pilates
Then there’s Pilates, where a workout hardly feels like one.
Booking a session could mean waking up early on a non-work day, spending an hour away from your phone, and getting your body moving. But it also almost always comes with a post-Pilates coffee or matcha, whether you’re going solo or with someone you got to know in class. And somehow, you already feel like you’ve made the most out of your weekend when it’s only Saturday morning.
(PSA to my fellow girls: you also have the bonus of an excuse to buy that matching set in your favorite color.)
Gen Z Editor’s Pick:
4. Gym and strength training
If boutique fitness isn’t your thing, there’s always the good old gym.
Perhaps it’s the most accessible side quest, bringing a little structure to an otherwise hectic week. You can go at your own pace with that workout playlist you’ve personally curated, follow a trainer-led program to keep you on track, or even have a buddy join you for some extra fun. You do you, as long as self-care stays the priority.
Gen Z Editor’s Pick:
5. Bouldering and wall climbing
Want to upgrade your workout with something that feels a little more like play? Time to touch some walls (literally).
Bouldering and wall climbing are physical, but they challenge you in totally different ways. Think of them as puzzles, except you’re using both your brain and your body to solve them.
Once you learn the ropes, it feels like you’ve unlocked new skills, making the whole experience even more rewarding. Plus, they’re visually interesting enough to make it onto your Stories.
Gen Z Editor’s Pick:
6. Hiking
From climbing walls to mountain trails, there are many options for our resident boulderers, especially those who love getting out into nature, too.
Unlike any other indoor activity that doubles as a workout, hiking gives you a chance to step away from the usual pace, get some fresh air, and soak in a whole new view. You can chase a sunrise, explore a trail with fellow hikers, or simply add a peak to your bucket list. And if a day trip doesn’t seem to be enough, you can even go camping, temporarily stepping off the grid and maxxing out your time in nature.
Gen Z Editor’s Pick:
7. Cycling and biking
Taking it back to the ground—especially for those who might be afraid of heights like me—cycling could be your next side quest. It’s exercise, travel, and socializing rolled into one.
Whether you’re going for a quick spin around the neighborhood, a weekend group ride with a community, or a longer trip outside the metro, biking is an excuse for you to explore somewhere new while staying active. In case the weather doesn’t permit it, you can still do it indoors, with cycling classes just a few clicks away.
Gen Z Editor’s Pick:
8. Dancing and dance fitness
If you’re the type who would rather trade the wheels for your two feet, dancing is a fun activity to squeeze into your daily routine.
You won’t have to keep counting reps or watching the clock until it’s over. All you need is good music and some room to move, and you can let loose. No worries if you’re not exactly a natural on the dance floor — that’s kind of the point of trying your hand, or in this case, your feet, at dancing.
One thing’s for sure: you’ll leave the class with a higher heart rate, a better mood, and maybe even a few new friends, too.
Gen Z Editor’s Pick:
9. Pottery and other art workshops
Not every side quest has to be fast-paced. Sometimes, slowing down is the best way to make the most of your time after an already exhausting day.
With pottery and other creative workshops, you can keep your hands busy and your creativity at work by making something just because you want to. The fun lies in trying something new, even if things get a little messy.
And the best part? You get to take home something you made yourself.
Gen Z Editor’s Picks:
10. Café and matcha-hopping
Yes, finding your next coffee or matcha spot counts as solomaxxing.
What used to be a quick caffeine run for adults, particularly those from older generations, has become an itinerary of sorts. Neither is it about getting your daily fix nor blowing your money on more than one drink anymore just because it’s been sitting on your bookmarks or popping up on your feed for weeks. In fact, coffee and matcha-hopping are all the rage now, with Gen Z turning the experience into a full-blown taste-test adventure that they can enjoy despite being alone.
Gen Z Editor’s Picks:
So, what are you doing after work? Maybe you’re going on a two-wheeled ride to a café nearby, planning a hike to a mountain two to three hours away, or finally taking that pottery class you’ve been meaning to. Whatever it is, I hope the goal isn’t just to show you’re solomaxxing like everyone else or post a Story proving you have plans for the weekend. Instead, it’s about choosing things you genuinely like and having an actual life after work. Because then, no matter what you do, that’s time well spent alone (and there’s absolutely no shame in that).