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A rare workaholic aside, there's more to people than just their job. I know, it sounds like a non-controversial and non-provocative thing to say, but often the most difficult parts of life are not the "in-your-face" type of challenges, but those that seep into your everyday routine and become rituals and habits. Like earning your bread and butter.
At a time when the term work-life balance has become a bookselling catchphrase, many are realizing they don't have one. Even more, people don't see a way to achieve it. They're stuck feeling that the system they're a part of has been designed to maintain itself at the expense of its "screws" — human capital — and have nowhere to turn to express their anger and frustration but the internet.
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#1
Sometimes I Wonder How We Aren't In A Near Constant State Of Revolt
Daphne 3 years ago
I read too many of these stories and I feel for the people concerned so very much. I hope that the Americans will one day get over their fear of 'socialism!' and recreate their healthcare system in a decent one that does not bancrupt you in case of a very unfortunate illness.
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#2
On God
How's This 3 years ago
Some people really think 9-5 is just 9-5. It's more like 7am to 7pm and then you ALSO have to shower/exercise/cook for tomorrow/socialise/do your hobbies if you have any and if you have kids it NEVER ENDS
As you can see from the posts, the pressure of an increasingly demanding work culture can be a huge burden on our mental health.
And while a healthy work-life balance means different things to different people, it's usually not so much about splitting your time 50/50 between career and leisure but rather making sure you feel fulfilled and content in both areas. A healthy balance might look like this:
- meeting your deadlines at work while still having time for friends and hobbies;
- having enough time to sleep properly and eat well;
- not worrying about work when you're at home.
"I used to use alcohol, junk food, television, video games – whatever I could to avoid facing the fact that I was an unhappy employee who felt caught in a rat race," career and business coach Ben Fitzgerald told Bored Panda.
"I thought a lot about work-life balance back then. In reality, I had tons of time to myself and the real reason I felt worn out was that I was faking enthusiasm for the work I was doing. The performance of it all was exhausting."
"If you feel like you need more work-life balance and you're not putting in 10+ hours a day, it might be a sign you need to take responsibility for defining what you enjoy, what you don't enjoy, and then make significant changes to how you spend your time," Fitzgerald explained.
#3
Title
Tassenküchlein168 3 years ago
I am suffering from burn-out and depression right now and convey to my daughter to choose her profession wisely. It will make one third of your life for 40+ years.
#4
The American Dream Is To Move Out
#5
Don’t Let Them Fool You- We Swim In An Ocean Of Abundance
Some Cool Guy 3 years ago
You're not going to be able to build a big penis rocket to get to space with that attitude buddy
There are plenty of people who glorify the grind; it can be tempting and even easy to normalize long hours at the office or being under a toxic boss, facing an extreme amount of stress, especially if you've been doing it for a long time or all your colleagues are in the same boat. Our assumptions and habits around work can become deep-rooted unless we take a step back once in a while.
Plus, it can be hard to make changes: if you're on a zero-hours contract you might not feel comfortable speaking up, for example, or you might need to put in extra hours to earn enough money to pay your bills. But for those who can do something about their predicament, recent research suggests regularly checking your work-life balance.
Pause and ask yourself questions like: what's currently causing me stress or unhappiness? How is that affecting my work and personal life? What am I prioritizing? What am I losing out on? Be honest with yourself. We often don't take the time to reflect on work until something major happens to us, like the birth of a child or the loss of someone close to us. But just pausing and thinking about your priorities and values can help you discover whether the way you’re living and working fits you.
#6
Welcome To Our Lovely Society
ilikeplants 3 years ago
Yep. Everything, even the fun things, feel like a chore. And Covid stress has amplified this so much.
#7
Work Takes 11 Hours Of My Time, Not Just 8
#8
Nobody Ever Wanted To Work
Acknowledge your feelings. Now that you're more aware of your current situation, how does it make you feel? Are you fulfilled and happy, or sad, angry, and resentful? Being aware of your feelings can help you decide which changes you want to make.
Reprioritize. Think about what you need to change. For example, you might want to ask yourself if working long hours is worth losing out on family time, or whether working weekends is worth sacrificing your hobbies.
Consider the alternatives. Is there anything at work you can change to meet your (new) wishes and goals?
Finally, make changes. Whether it's asking for flexible hours, being allowed to use all of your annual leave, or disconnecting from your corporate email at the weekend, chase what's important to you.
Ben Fitzgerald said there's a lot to gain from realigning your work to your personal and professional development goals. This introduces challenges, activates your curiosity, and shifts the focus to one of personal responsibility - instead of working in service of someone else's vision you're working in service of your own. Just a simple tweak in mindset can work wonders.
"Devoting your time and attention in service of someone else without any expectation of reciprocation is a great way to feel more purposeful and fulfilled," Fitzgerald explained. "Try adopting this mentality with your manager in mind and see what happens."
There's a huge difference between living to work and working so that we can live.
#9
School Prepares You To Be A Good Wage Slave
#10
Same Here My Brother
#11
Is There More To Life Than Work?
#12
She Has A Very Valid Point
#13
And People Wonder Why This Sub Exists
#14
There Is Nothing Good About Huddle Culture
#15
I Hate The Grind Mentallity
#16
The Protestant Work Ethic Is Stupid
similarly 3 years ago
Reminds me of this quote: "Man has always assumed that he is more intelligent than dolphins because he has achieved so much--the wheel, New York, wars and so on -- while all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But, conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man -- for precisely the same reasons." Douglas Adams, So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish.
#17
Not A Controversial Take
#18
Do What You Love
#19
Never Ending Rat Race
#20
That Sunday Feeling
#21
Life Is Meaningless - But In A Good Way
Eppe 3 years ago
But on the other hand, let's realize indigenous people, those living closer to nature, have a harsh existence. No food hunted or gathered means starvation, a broken bone, pneumonia or a snake bite may result in death, half your children won't reach maturity, and a life expectancy of maybe 40 years. Just watch any nature documentary to realize the ruthlessness of actually living close to nature.
#22
Get Bent, Brian
Scagsy 3 years ago
I worked in a high pressure call centre for a few months (too much pressure) and 'Brian' asked me at full volume in the middle of the call centre why it took me 12 minutes to go to the toilet. I matched his confidence and volume and announced that 'I was having a big s**t'. Served him right. He was a muppet.
#23
But Your Passion Is Working Until You Die Right?
#24
Amazon Killed People Last Night
Martha Meyer 3 years ago (edited)
This was all preventable. This is what happens when workers don't have unions and work councils to speak up for them and when the government doesn't punish companies for blatant inhuman behavior towards their employees.
#25
One Of The Most Brilliant Minds To Have Ever Lived Was Crushed Mentally And Physically By Capitalism. He Was Robbed Of The Fruits Of His Labor, Manipulated And His Research Sabotaged In The Race For Profit
#26
I’m With This Guy
#27
A Healthy Work Ethic Is Key
#28
Capitalism Should Die
MyOpinionHasBeenServed 3 years ago
I need to earn money. However, I look forward to other things in my day, such as a nice breakfast, warm shower, feeling fresh and clean. Seeing the winter sunrise, and a deep pink/purple sunset, talking to my friend I met at work, making plans for the evening, enjoying a delicious supper and dessert. I can paint after work, hang out on the internet, sleep in on the weekend. When I know I'm going out of my mind I'll start taking those vacation days I'm entitled to. I'm more scared of not being able to pay off debt than the amount of hours I have to work to earn the money I need to live on.
#29
This Is A Big Factor Of Why I Have Depression
Alex Luiz 3 years ago
I suffer from 'mild' depression, and personally I am much happier when I am working - when I am busy, have a routine, see people I like, have challenges and expectations. Even in the busy stressful times. I have experienced long periods of time off, and I find I fall into depressive spirals when there are no external drivers. Maybe I have been conditioned to function better as a worker, but I don't think NOT working is the answer. Just, you know, better hours.
#30
It Really Is
#31
The Software Industry
#34
We Have Become Slaves To Money, Rather Than Using Money As A Tool To Make Our Lives Easier And Better
#35
You Aren’t A Person When You Aren’t Someone Else’s Person In This Free Society
#36
Sick Humble Brag
#38
The Cycle Continues
#39
Not Gonna Happen
#41
This Has Been Quite The Crushing Realization As I Transition To Post-Grad Life
#42
That Front Porch Life
#43
We Work 40+ Hours A Week Not For Maximum Efficiency, But Because It Makes Sure We Can’t Force Change Outside Of Work
#44
Sorry?
#45
Felt That One
#46
New Tech Is Not Supposed To Make Our Life Harder
Josy Bannon 3 years ago
Because the profit from this transition goes to the company owner and not the workers. Means of production should not be private property Marx said early on when industrialization started.
#47
Sounds Like A Scam To Me
#48
12 Years Of Elderly Leisure
#50
Biggest Scam Ever
ZAPanda 3 years ago
It depends on which school you are at. Traditional schools with uniforms, making people wait in lines, wait for bells to signify lunch breaks, sitting in desk rows like a sweatshop factory, listening to a foreman drilling you in repetitive tasks, sure. However, you also get montessori schools which don't do that.
#51
Who Thought It Was A Good Idea?
Karen Grace 3 years ago
Who thought it was a good idea? The owners of the companies. They trade in Your hours for Their money and give you scraps.
#52
I Think This Belongs Here
#53
This Is Depressing. True But Depressing
#54
You Supposed To Get Motivated By This... Lol
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Josy Bannon 3 years ago
There is this concept called "Unconditional basic income" according to which every citizen - regardless of his or her economic situation - receives a legally stipulated and equal financial benefit paid out by the state for everyone, without having to provide anything in return. It discussed in Germany for example, we have a political party here named after it striving for this goal. The benefits: An unconditional basic income would, under the laws of free markets, lead to previously poorly paid but necessary work being better paid, made more attractive or replaced by automated processes. For necessary or widely desired work, appealing and rewarding employment relationships would inevitably be created, and there would always be enough people willing to work in the medium and medium term for sufficiently attractive or lucrative job offers. The result would therefore be a labor market that is based on supply and demand, which does not exist in today's market economy because of the pressur
Josy Bannon 3 years ago
e to work. Independence and entrepreneurship and thus innovation and flexibility would be promoted. The employees would become more self-confident and no longer “stuck” in one place. The greater independence reduces internal competition, reduces bullying and improves the working atmosphere, with the result that negative stress and mental illnesses decrease. The UBI not only promotes the emancipation and independence of women, but through the introduction of a UBI many citizens would have more time and financial opportunities to deal more intensively with political issues, to become active and thus to participate in a lively democracy.
Load More Replies...
Briana Kessler 3 years ago (edited)
This is why I stopped buying anything but essentials. I don't need more than a few pair of shoes. I don't need extra jewelry or to own movies. I'd rather be happy with little than miserable with a ton of crop. Simplify your life. It does help. And don't let bosses make you do more than your job. They can pay you more then. Demand better.
Nijlenna Rusty 3 years ago
I 'need' a roof over my head, but with those crazy house prices I can't afford to buy one on a salary of 40+ hours of work. Can't rent one either. Even if I only buy the essentials, that roof over my head is still missing.
Load More Replies...
PupperPanda 3 years ago
As an X kid, I'm looking forward to the day that Gen Z and Millenials take over the world and bin this capitalist mindset once and for all four all future generations.
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
The USA is ripe for revolution. As the Old Guard loses power because they're dying off, the younger people who are painfully aware of the harm done by unbridled capitalism, deregulation and neoliberalism are gaining. The Old Guard know their days are numbered, so they're desperate, and fighting back any way they can, without thinking for a moment about this country's needs or the good of its residents. They spew B.S. that equates socialism with communism, trot out the s--tshow that Venezuela has become while conveniently ignoring countries such as Canada, New Zealand, and many countries in western and Central Europe where democratic socialism works. They have the positive aspects of capitalism and socialism, and are doing just fine!
Load More Replies...
Josy Bannon 3 years ago
There is this concept called "Unconditional basic income" according to which every citizen - regardless of his or her economic situation - receives a legally stipulated and equal financial benefit paid out by the state for everyone, without having to provide anything in return. It discussed in Germany for example, we have a political party here named after it striving for this goal. The benefits: An unconditional basic income would, under the laws of free markets, lead to previously poorly paid but necessary work being better paid, made more attractive or replaced by automated processes. For necessary or widely desired work, appealing and rewarding employment relationships would inevitably be created, and there would always be enough people willing to work in the medium and medium term for sufficiently attractive or lucrative job offers. The result would therefore be a labor market that is based on supply and demand, which does not exist in today's market economy because of the pressur
Josy Bannon 3 years ago
e to work. Independence and entrepreneurship and thus innovation and flexibility would be promoted. The employees would become more self-confident and no longer “stuck” in one place. The greater independence reduces internal competition, reduces bullying and improves the working atmosphere, with the result that negative stress and mental illnesses decrease. The UBI not only promotes the emancipation and independence of women, but through the introduction of a UBI many citizens would have more time and financial opportunities to deal more intensively with political issues, to become active and thus to participate in a lively democracy.
Load More Replies... Briana Kessler 3 years ago (edited)
This is why I stopped buying anything but essentials. I don't need more than a few pair of shoes. I don't need extra jewelry or to own movies. I'd rather be happy with little than miserable with a ton of crop. Simplify your life. It does help. And don't let bosses make you do more than your job. They can pay you more then. Demand better.
Nijlenna Rusty 3 years ago
I 'need' a roof over my head, but with those crazy house prices I can't afford to buy one on a salary of 40+ hours of work. Can't rent one either. Even if I only buy the essentials, that roof over my head is still missing.
Load More Replies... PupperPanda 3 years ago
As an X kid, I'm looking forward to the day that Gen Z and Millenials take over the world and bin this capitalist mindset once and for all four all future generations.
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
The USA is ripe for revolution. As the Old Guard loses power because they're dying off, the younger people who are painfully aware of the harm done by unbridled capitalism, deregulation and neoliberalism are gaining. The Old Guard know their days are numbered, so they're desperate, and fighting back any way they can, without thinking for a moment about this country's needs or the good of its residents. They spew B.S. that equates socialism with communism, trot out the s--tshow that Venezuela has become while conveniently ignoring countries such as Canada, New Zealand, and many countries in western and Central Europe where democratic socialism works. They have the positive aspects of capitalism and socialism, and are doing just fine!
Load More Replies...
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