Let’s be honest, we’ve all done it. Whether you’re dodging a clingy relative at a holiday party or just trying to escape your boss’s latest “brilliant” idea, the bathroom has always been the ultimate sanctuary.
Now, thanks to the internet, this age-old coping mechanism has a trendy new name: “bathroom camping.”
It’s the act of seeking refuge in a bathroom, not because you need the facilities, but because you desperately need a few minutes of peace from the unrelenting chaos of the outside world.
This isn’t just about avoiding work, though that’s a big part of it. People are “bathroom camping” at parties, family gatherings, and anywhere else they need a quick mental health break.
On TikTok, users are openly sharing their strategies, turning the bathroom into a personal Zen garden where they can scroll their phones, hit a vape, or just stare at the wall and question their life choices.
However, while it’s being framed as a quirky life hack, there’s a slightly darker side to it. If you find yourself setting up a permanent base camp in stall three on a regular basis, it might be a sign of a bigger issue.
Constant “camping” could point to some serious anxiety or the fact that you genuinely, deeply despise your job. But for the occasional escape? It’s a time-honored tradition. It’s the only place where no one can ask you for anything, a momentary cease-fire in the battle of everyday life. So go ahead, pitch your tent. I won’t tell.