Three years ago, when the pandemic forced us all to stay home, simultaneously causing a boom in various online services, it seemed that the paradigm of remote work, convenient for many, would become the new standard, and the long and, let’s admit to each other, tedious work commute would become an anachronism.
And now, three years later, employers are still pushing us to return to offices, and employees who have tasted all the delights of remote work are not always ready for this. But there are still young people who have never worked 9 to 5, and for them, this is not always a pleasant revelation. Like, for example, for this TikToker.
The author of the video is a college graduate who recently found her very first 9 to 5 job
Image credits: brielleasero
“I’m probably just being so dramatic and annoying. But this is my first nine-to-five job after college”
“I’m in person, so I’m commuting in the city and it takes me forever to get there. There’s no way I’m gonna be able to afford living in the city right now, so that’s off the table. If I was able to walk to work, it’d be fine, but I’m not. I get on the train at 7:30 and I don’t get home till like, 6:15 earliest. And then I don’t have time to do anything.”
Image credits: brielleybelly123
“I want to shower, eat my dinner and go to sleep. I don’t have time or energy to cook my dinner either”
“I don’t have energy to work out–that’s out the window. I’m so upset. Has nothing to do with my job at all. But just the nine-to-five schedule in general is crazy, being in the office nine to five.”
Image credits: brielleybelly123
“If it was remote, you get off at five, and you’re home and everything’s fine. But I’m not home”
“It takes me long to get home. And I know it could be worse. I know it could be working longer, but like, I literally get off, it’s pitch black and I don’t have energy. How do you have friends? How do you have time to meet, like, a guy? I don’t know. How do you have time for dating? I don’t have time for anything. And I’m so stressed out. Am I so dramatic?”
@brielleybelly123im also getting sick leave me alone im emotional ok i feel 12 and im scared of not having time to live♬ original sound – BRIELLE
The work commute actually enlarges the whole working time by a third, so it’s really exhausting for the author
This woman’s name is Brielle, she recently graduated from college and after a long search (in one of the videos, the original poster admits that she sent out several dozen resumes, receiving virtually only one response – from her current employer) got a job in the field of marketing.
The company where Brielle works is located in New York, and the OP herself lives in New Jersey, and so far, in her own words, cannot afford housing in the metropolis. Therefore, the woman’s work commute is approximately two hours in one direction and the same amount in the other. In other words, the working time span for Brielle increases by about a third.
Of course, after such a busy day at work, the original poster doesn’t feel able to do anything else. No communication, no self-development, no dating… just lying down on the couch and resting. At the same time, Brielle is well aware that her situation is not the most difficult at all – and she is sincerely trying to find out from netizens how they cope with their 9 to 5 jobs.
Brielle’s video almost immediately went viral, gaining over 2.5M views, and in the subsequent video, the original poster shared all aspects of her job search, and admitted that for representatives of her generation, truly accustomed to all the attributes of remote study and work, to rush into the ‘classic’ 9-5 is not that easy. It’s very difficult, even. And Brielle wholeheartedly encourages employers to consider changing standard schedules.
Image credits: Alex Kotliarskyi (not the actual photo)
As they say, there is a proper time for everything – and Brielle’s video comes just as the American business world is heatedly debating the demands of many tech giants for employees to return to offices – no matter how productive they actually were while remote. Perhaps this is partly the reason for the popularity of the author’s video – and another performance gained even more – over 7M views. Or is society really ready for changes?
Image credits: Felix Rostig (not the actual photo)
Most people in the comments praised the author for opening up about her feelings, and of course massively sided with Brielle
If you look at the comments, people’s opinions there were divided – but they were divided according to the principle from unconditional agreement with Brielle to light sarcasm in this style: “you just have to put up with it!” Moreover, some commenters do point out that, for example, many nurses nowadays work 7-7. And someone else writes that it’s difficult only for the first year, and then you get used to it…
And yet, the vast majority of commenters express massive support for the original poster and indeed urge employers to consider changes to work schedules – after all, time does not stand still. “40 hour work week was designed with a homemaker to take care of house tasks. We need dual incomes now, so that’s not possible. No time for anything,” one of the commenters aptly wrote.
By the way, what do you, our dear readers, think about changing work schedules towards easier ones – especially since the modern world is already familiar with fairly successful cases of introducing such a regime? Please let us know your point of view in the comments below this post.
Image credits: Ephraim Mayrena (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Ketut Subiyanto (not the actual photo)
8 hr workday is not the whole problem in itself. It is the additional commuting ( I can't image doing more than 1 hour a day) , chores and other obligations besides work that add to the problem. The hardest is for people with no partner supporting them emotionally and practically.
Is this a new version of "quiet quitting"? Put videos of how much you hate your job on a public forum where your employer can see it and wait for them to fire you?" OK it's not the job itself that she's complaining about (I assume - life's too short to actually watch the video) but it's not really a good way to get on in your first job out of college.
It's the 4 hours of communing that's the problem. My total commute is 30 minutes, and I'm working from 8.10 until 5.30, with an hour for lunch. Add another 3 and a half hours onto my day, and I'd been making serious changes. I could not do that 5 days a week. There have been times I've worked 12 hour days, and it was awful.
The problem is how do you pick a job two hours away from your home and then complain about it being so far away? That's what's ridiculous.
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Sad and entitled. She says she gets off at 5:30 and is home by 6:15pm. That's a short commute if she's going to a suburb (since she says she can't afford to live in the city). Most people int the US have a 45-60 min commute, that's pretty average. I wonder how long it takes her in the morning to apply her 4 layers of makeup? Thank god she's just some office worker and isn't a nurse or emergency services person dealing with a 12-14 hour schedule on top of that.
Seems a little overdramatic to me. Why apply to jobs that are a long commute from home if you don't want to have to commute? She sent out "a couple dozen resumes" - that's really not very many. Apply for jobs closer to home. I'm not overly sympathetic here, because she applied for and accepted the job - did she think the commute wouldn't exist? There's something to be said for applying for roles that suit your needs. New Jersey has tons of industry. Apply closer to home.
Um, she works in New York City. It's one of the most expensive places to live, unless you have roommates. This is her first adult job after school and she's still establishing herself. I'm guessing she started with thinking she could have tons of clothes and shoes and luxuries and appliances because she wants to see herself as established before she's actually established. No shame, we've all done it. She could actually have a life, boyfriend, social life, if she stopped comparing herself to others. I used to commute two hours each way and it gave me time to read, crochet, chat, etc. and that gave me time to wake up as well as decompress after work. Her priorities are competing with her pity party. If she's just going to complain, McDonald's is always hiring.
I live in NJ, and the commute to NY is just a part of life for many, many people. I personally know a dozen people who commute 1 1/2 - 2 hours one way, five days/week. They generally hate it, but they do it... why? Because they all get paid well into six figures to do it. If people are willing to put in the time, they can make the money. I know it's tough starting out, but that's life for many in this part of the country.
I used to have the same problem. 1.5 hour bus journey both ways to work, every day. But unlike this woman, I then had to go to my second AND THIRD JOBS!
All I read was, "I'm an idiot who took a job 2 hours away and now want to complain about it" Grow the f**k up and get a job closer to home
Why don't you drive FOUR HOURS every day on top of working a full time job and see how you feel? That's insane. You're heartless.
Load More Replies... Oh dear. My last job was 9-6, would leave home at 7:30, get home at 7:15, I enjoyed it but left because my manager left and was replaced by someone clueless. Took a £3k pay cut to work 9-5:30 15 minutes from home, post COVID we're all working from home. Wake up at 8:30, cook dinner at 6, eat at 7. Watch TV til midnight. Rinse, repeat.
Sorry, she has 1.5 has maximum commute each way. Leaves to work 730am for 9am start, gets home 615pm for 5pm finish. That's not great but it's typical for public tport commute if you live about 30 minutes drive time out. I used to leave 530am, get into town just on 7am, hit the gym between the station and work till 830am, grab a quick breakfast and be at work by 9am. I was home by 630pm and still saw friends between 8pm and up to midnight most nights. When you are young and active energy just shows up. If you don't milk every second while you can you will miss out imo. Of course by 30 you scale right back but it never occurred to me it was all too hard in my 20s, not even when I worked 12hr days. Of course, we were paid pretty well back then, I get being pissed to do all that and barely scrape by, that's corporate greed out of control.
I feel her. And yes it may be worse for people with kids or nurses or night shifts. But it in no way invalidates her stress or feelings. Agreed with the comments of a 40 hour (and plus) work week being outdated. Work should be easier and more convenient with rapid technology development. Yet I am working way more hours than my parents
I don't have sympathy. A few dozens CVs? My oldest son sent emails, called, responded to 186 job offers before he got a contract and it was in demand as an aero spatial mechanic. Also, when my husband and I only had one car for both our jobs, one would get the car, drop off, go to work, finish and get to the other's job for pick-up. Sometimes 1-1-1/2 hours waiting for the other to come. Then ride home. Tiring for sure, but feasable. With 3 children.
I feel bad for her, I've been in the same position for years with the commute. You work your way through it, build experience, and move to a better position closer to home or move closer. A shorter work week would be AMAZING and I hope people continue to fight for it but whining about a long commute online just ain't it
She picked a job too far away. Ofc WFH and less work time would be better and need to be encourage. But she's to blame too.
Oh my! My husband had a commute of 1 1/2 hrs each way for 37 yrs. in very heavy traffic. Grow the hell up!
Well that's really awful. I'm sorry for you husband who spent hours just sitting in his car in traffic on highways breathing in road pollution and wishing he was at home with his family. Life should be more than that, don't you think.
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8 hr workday is not the whole problem in itself. It is the additional commuting ( I can't image doing more than 1 hour a day) , chores and other obligations besides work that add to the problem. The hardest is for people with no partner supporting them emotionally and practically.
Is this a new version of "quiet quitting"? Put videos of how much you hate your job on a public forum where your employer can see it and wait for them to fire you?" OK it's not the job itself that she's complaining about (I assume - life's too short to actually watch the video) but it's not really a good way to get on in your first job out of college.
It's the 4 hours of communing that's the problem. My total commute is 30 minutes, and I'm working from 8.10 until 5.30, with an hour for lunch. Add another 3 and a half hours onto my day, and I'd been making serious changes. I could not do that 5 days a week. There have been times I've worked 12 hour days, and it was awful.
The problem is how do you pick a job two hours away from your home and then complain about it being so far away? That's what's ridiculous.
Load More Replies... Sad and entitled. She says she gets off at 5:30 and is home by 6:15pm. That's a short commute if she's going to a suburb (since she says she can't afford to live in the city). Most people int the US have a 45-60 min commute, that's pretty average. I wonder how long it takes her in the morning to apply her 4 layers of makeup? Thank god she's just some office worker and isn't a nurse or emergency services person dealing with a 12-14 hour schedule on top of that.
Seems a little overdramatic to me. Why apply to jobs that are a long commute from home if you don't want to have to commute? She sent out "a couple dozen resumes" - that's really not very many. Apply for jobs closer to home. I'm not overly sympathetic here, because she applied for and accepted the job - did she think the commute wouldn't exist? There's something to be said for applying for roles that suit your needs. New Jersey has tons of industry. Apply closer to home.
Um, she works in New York City. It's one of the most expensive places to live, unless you have roommates. This is her first adult job after school and she's still establishing herself. I'm guessing she started with thinking she could have tons of clothes and shoes and luxuries and appliances because she wants to see herself as established before she's actually established. No shame, we've all done it. She could actually have a life, boyfriend, social life, if she stopped comparing herself to others. I used to commute two hours each way and it gave me time to read, crochet, chat, etc. and that gave me time to wake up as well as decompress after work. Her priorities are competing with her pity party. If she's just going to complain, McDonald's is always hiring.
I live in NJ, and the commute to NY is just a part of life for many, many people. I personally know a dozen people who commute 1 1/2 - 2 hours one way, five days/week. They generally hate it, but they do it... why? Because they all get paid well into six figures to do it. If people are willing to put in the time, they can make the money. I know it's tough starting out, but that's life for many in this part of the country.
I used to have the same problem. 1.5 hour bus journey both ways to work, every day. But unlike this woman, I then had to go to my second AND THIRD JOBS!
All I read was, "I'm an idiot who took a job 2 hours away and now want to complain about it" Grow the f**k up and get a job closer to home
Why don't you drive FOUR HOURS every day on top of working a full time job and see how you feel? That's insane. You're heartless.
Load More Replies... Oh dear. My last job was 9-6, would leave home at 7:30, get home at 7:15, I enjoyed it but left because my manager left and was replaced by someone clueless. Took a £3k pay cut to work 9-5:30 15 minutes from home, post COVID we're all working from home. Wake up at 8:30, cook dinner at 6, eat at 7. Watch TV til midnight. Rinse, repeat.
Sorry, she has 1.5 has maximum commute each way. Leaves to work 730am for 9am start, gets home 615pm for 5pm finish. That's not great but it's typical for public tport commute if you live about 30 minutes drive time out. I used to leave 530am, get into town just on 7am, hit the gym between the station and work till 830am, grab a quick breakfast and be at work by 9am. I was home by 630pm and still saw friends between 8pm and up to midnight most nights. When you are young and active energy just shows up. If you don't milk every second while you can you will miss out imo. Of course by 30 you scale right back but it never occurred to me it was all too hard in my 20s, not even when I worked 12hr days. Of course, we were paid pretty well back then, I get being pissed to do all that and barely scrape by, that's corporate greed out of control.
I feel her. And yes it may be worse for people with kids or nurses or night shifts. But it in no way invalidates her stress or feelings. Agreed with the comments of a 40 hour (and plus) work week being outdated. Work should be easier and more convenient with rapid technology development. Yet I am working way more hours than my parents
I don't have sympathy. A few dozens CVs? My oldest son sent emails, called, responded to 186 job offers before he got a contract and it was in demand as an aero spatial mechanic. Also, when my husband and I only had one car for both our jobs, one would get the car, drop off, go to work, finish and get to the other's job for pick-up. Sometimes 1-1-1/2 hours waiting for the other to come. Then ride home. Tiring for sure, but feasable. With 3 children.
I feel bad for her, I've been in the same position for years with the commute. You work your way through it, build experience, and move to a better position closer to home or move closer. A shorter work week would be AMAZING and I hope people continue to fight for it but whining about a long commute online just ain't it
She picked a job too far away. Ofc WFH and less work time would be better and need to be encourage. But she's to blame too.
Oh my! My husband had a commute of 1 1/2 hrs each way for 37 yrs. in very heavy traffic. Grow the hell up!
Well that's really awful. I'm sorry for you husband who spent hours just sitting in his car in traffic on highways breathing in road pollution and wishing he was at home with his family. Life should be more than that, don't you think.
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