I’ve just finished my first week at a new job. I like the job, but it’s the first time in several years that I’ve had relatively standard 8 hours a day, 5 days a week as my schedule. The last time I did was in 2019 or so, and then I went and got back into graduate school for the interim.
Now that I’m back to standard hours, the commitment of time and energy seems to be quite a lot, more than I remember from prior ft experience(It could well be that this job is actually mentally demanding, whereas my prior full-time job was pretty brainless) and I’m not sure how I will make room in my life for anything else.
I like the job I’m doing, and I don’t feel as if I’m being unreasonably pressured at work (Boss even said to go out of our way not to work overtime, and it’s a salaried position so I know they’re not trying to skimp on hourly pay), so I guess I’m mainly wanting to ask how the rest of you full-timers do it.
And does it get easier to manage as you start to get used to it and make a routine?
Maybe it feels like quite a basic or rudimentary to ask… But these are things I’ve forgotten in the interim since last working 40-hour weeks.
It does get easier as you adjust. I went from Uni Art classes, to full time Industry trade job at 55 hours a week. It feels like you have no time for you. You adjust to the me time being late evening or weekends only. A 4 day (40h) work week is a better life balance. A company I worked for out here started that after COVID
There’s culture shock and then hopefully you settle into the idea that this is your life now.
This is the part I can’t wrap my head around. I’ve been a productive member of thr workforce for over 20 years but the idea that this is what the rest of my life consists of horrifies me.
I should mellow this a bit.
Right now you’re experiencing some degree of culture shock so that’s going to take ~6 months before that is fully settled. “This is weird.” “Yes, that’s something people experience in a variety of contexts”.
But outside of that in the long run you really have to think about what’s important to you and carve out time for that or you will be lonely and miserable. Something with regularity. I play board games with friends once a week. Sometimes I can’t make it and they do it without me. But there’s still way too much of my time that ends up being me staring at Lemmy or the TV, thinking that I really should <some chore>. And you can end up like that whether you are single or in a relationship. School was simpler.
School wasn’t simpler. It rewarded you for efficiency and intelligence by returning time back to you for completing the work quickly and correctly.
There is no reward in the corporate world. You slave away endlessly and the reward is you either get to slave away more or sit there for your 40 hours + commute.
This is how it worked for me. Followed by just fucking get up. Tired? Slept like shit? Don’t want to go? Just fucking get up and go, I don’t want to be late or lose my job, I’ll be homeless. I don’t recommend this attitude as you’ll burn yourself out but it’s how I get up.
My problem is everything else. Where do you find time to tidy the house, clean, do laundry, shower, brush your teeth, now the lawn, etc, etc and then have energy for hobbies?
Personally, I find that if I work in a day, then I’m drained. One great thing I was able to do was find a job that has longer hours, because working 8 hours and working 12 feels the same to me, but now I get 2 extra days off. With 4 days off I can have a recovery day where I do nothing, a productive day where I catch up on life’s demands, and 2 days to spend however I choose.
I went from 3/4 twelves to 5 8s and it sucks ass trying to do anything after work. I have 6 ish hours to do anything. I used to have two days off in a row during the week plus 3 day weekends every other. It sucked working weekends and getting home later.
When last I changed jobs (going from full time in house software developer to a consultant working for a firm), and every time I’ve changed assignments since (same firm, most times same client but different teams), I’ve been absolutely knackered. It can even happen once you’re back from a particularly long vacation.
Sometimes for a week, sometimes for up to a month.
It does pass though. You’ll find you have more energy as you get settled. Remember, new people to relate to, new things to do (even if it is similar tasks as previously) does take up a lot of mental energy even if you don’t feel like it does.
Cut yourself some slack, give your mind and body time to adjust for a few weeks. Remember to eat and drink right, and afford yourself some extra down time. In my experience you’ll be acclimatised soon enough.
Congrats on your new job!
A few things help me.
Short commute, so no extra time spent getting to and from the office, and an electric bike that I enjoy commuting on.
Coffee and breakfast at my desk at work, not before going in.
Help at home - husband cleans after supper, and we have a biweekly cleaning lady so I’m not spending all weekend just catching up, can have at least a day to actually relax.
The people I work with are amazing, I like them so much and they like me and each other, it’s a good group.
Taking all my PTO. I do a lot of Fridays off, and usually one solid week off at some point but using them to make short weeks/long weekends feels best to me.
If you really can’t adjust maybe ask about doing the 40 as 4x 10hours not 5x 8?
One of the major reasons I became self employed instead
I can’t speak for everyone, because I fundamentally believe that the increases in productivity due to technology should have been applied to flexibility for the working public instead of pure profit for the capitalist owning class. But for me, sometimes I can’t stand another MOMENT of my work shift, and other times I find myself lost in the work for 14 hours before I even realize it. It’s purely a function of what you’re working on and what it means to you. Or doesn’t mean to you.
40 hours is pretty long TBF! I’d probably just zone out for the last hour of each day.
Life is hard, and then you die.
Does it have to be though?
Another phrase like this one:
It is what it is.
No no. It is what it is because people made it what is. People can change what it is.
I have a kid who’s just starting full time work out of college. I’ll tell you what I told them: you’ll get used to it. You will eventually settle into the habit and it becomes routine.
However, there will be tough times where you need to work hard to motivate yourself to go to work. Those happen.
What works for me during those times is the same that works for me exercising (which I hate): one step, one mile, one day at a time. Tell yourself it’s just one more day to the weekend or to vacation. Have something to look forward to.
Burnout also happens. What works for me there, is to draw an absolutely strict line between work and life. You need to fight for your work/life balance. Maintain friendships outside the office.
When you’re not working, try to do something not related at all to work. If that’s working on improving your health, that’s even better. A healthy body and healthy mind has more energy. Do literally anything except working or thinking about work. If you can’t turn it off, practice setting boundaries until you can.
Finally, and this surprised me as I realized that all the stupid corny stuff we do in the office: luncheons, raffles, TGIF, “just another day in paradise”, and that, are coping mechanisms. Play along, but don’t get sucked into a negativity spiral. Humor can be a great stress reliever, but watch out for HR watchdogs.
This entire thing is so tragic.
Yes, it is. But it’s the reality of being a working stiff in America today.
I have absolutely no doubt that you are doing everything in your power to prep your kid for the reality. I dont mean to disparage you in any way, I’m just sad that we’re here. Hard work alone isn’t enough anymore.
No offense taken at all. I just agree it’s a sad state of affairs.
I don’t mean to be a doomer and I do try to give my kids more than a black and white picture. I’m not a parent who tells them to just suck it up. I support them every step of the way.
But I do try to keep their expectations realistic. I think it’s fair to let them know that what they see in glossy college ads isn’t typical.
Finding a job you actually like can be hard. Working 40 hours a week can be hard. But eventually you will manage it. It’s not glamorous, but it pays the rent.
Usually you have to play the cards you were dealt while you look for better opportunities. Few people can afford to be out of work for a long time. I consider myself very lucky to be able to sit here right now and discuss work/life balance on Lemmy, rather than trolling the Internet for jobs.
don’t get sucked into a negativity spiral
I got sucked into one by talking to a new negative coworker and didn’t even realize it.
20 years in - you’ll get used to it. Change your employer and find a job that not only pays your bills, but also somewhat fulfills you. Else you’ll definitely burn youself out. Find that niche of yours until you’re 35 and then stay with it.
Then, those 8 hours a day won’t feel too difficult and you’ll be like, “eh, weekend’s ahead, lets find love in life”. Because ultimately life is about happinesd. If you need to give up way too much time to enjoy life, your job is inefficient at giving you the needs to get happy. So switch your employer or your professsion. Heck I’ve seen student colleagues giving up studying and going for machining. Always smiles with his dirty fingers about how fun things are now for him.
So yeah, it’s not all about money, it’s about happiness.
Just stay clear of any form of drugs (including cigarettes, alcohol and sugar). The big problem with drugs is they literally make you happy by stealing your future happiness. You pay that credit back with future happiness and the interests on that credit are insane.
Lmao don’t eat sugar omg what kind of perfect drug are you on?
Go on a sugar detox for 30 days just by cutting out sugary drinks like soda or sweet tea. When you go back to drinking it you’ll be chocked at how sweet it tastes now. You’ve just become desensitized to the 38-45g of sugar in a 12oz. The major benefit is you just feel better. Sugar is totally a drug.
I don’t drink any soda or sweet teas, firstly. Secondly, even things like alcohol or weed, who are we to judge? Life is FUCKING HARD. People get through however they get through. I’d rather them do what they have to do - sugar included - than give up entirely.
Calm down tiger, who’s judging here? Just stating facts. I drink alcohol from time to time but I also realize I feel better when I don’t regularly.
You’re right, I was multitasking and didn’t realize you weren’t the original user I replied to, you just replied to my comment. Agree to disagree. Please accept my apology. Point stands tho, people do need their vices.
Well, I enjoy my job, is a big part of it. But I also commute by bike, which gives we time to decompress and switch gears, pun intended, between work and home.
I was about to ask OP how they commute. I have 3/5 home office, but I go to the office practically every day because I commute by bike, so going to the office is an excuse to ride my bike.
hated that work culture so i left as soon as the opportunity presented itself.
went to teach ESL. half the hours for better pay
And does it get easier to manage as you start to get used to it and make a routine?
European here. I worked many years for 40h/week and I never got used to it, really. There was not enough spare time in my life to enjoy it (especially, since commuting to work took off even more useful time). I neglected cleaning my room, postponed important appointments as much as possible and I was often too tired to do the things I love.
Since 2024, I now work 30h/week, completely from home. I have every Friday off and Thursday is a short day. My life has improved drastically. I am longer tired all the time, I’m more motivated at work and I am actually capable of going to concerts, parties, cinema. It’s amazing.
Every human is built different. I realized I absolutely cannot function having a 9to5 job from Monday to Friday.
I’ve been at my job for less than a year, so I’m still learning new stuff here and there. I’m salaried too. When I’m working on processes I am familiar with - my job is cake. This week I took on a complex project and suddenly felt like you - why is this week so long and exhausting?! Give yourself a few months to get comfortable and your days will go by quickly.
