When will we stop living for the weekend? Escaping the 9-5 life.

[aoluain]

@Ultegra134 - I totally get you, 100%

There are plenty of people who are very happy to be working the 5 day week and
who are able to have a good lifestyle ^{by their own standards}.

There are also plenty of people who are unsatisfied with working full time 5 days
per week but cannot see how to break out of the system, so they remain very unhappy,
which is not good for your soul and mentality.

I believe it is quite possible to break free, it will/could mean simplifying the lifestyle
and I'm ok with that. We are surrounded with stuff we actually dont need, we feel to
do things and lead a life we could do without or not miss.

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[Ultegra134]

What country do you live in? Here, the leave is 50 days, with the possibility of extending it for two weeks if you are sick. The average leave is two days a week, and the majority get two and a half days during the week with 8 hours per day.
The problem does not lie in the time of work, but rather the enjoyment of what you do. You will not find a person who loves the work he does who fails to go to work every day, or at least he does not enjoy it. When this is true, time does not make a difference, even if you work three hours a day, it will be annoying Extremely.

The solution to get rid of this problem is to create your own business, invest in yourself and your education, and finally save a little money and start investing early.

I'm from Greece, and the most you can get is actually 24 days of paid time off. 50 days sounds incredible and completely unrealistic for our standards. I wish I had two days off and 50 days of PTO. I'd be completely satisfied, even though I'd still be working for someone else's company. Creating your own company still doesn't always solve this matter, since you need to have trusted people run it when you're gone, and because it's your own business, you may end up working even longer hours.

This is why the new norm is work from home. People are sick of the 9-5 jobs in cubicles where they basically do something online which they can easily do at home.

Hence they work from home and enjoy spending more time with families. Many businesses ended the work from home options and people just quit and found a job elsewhere because they liked that life style.

Who wants to be stuck in traffic for 1 hour then work 9 to 5 and be stuck in traffic for another hour and come home at 6pm.

Indeed, working from home seems ideal at the moment because of flexible working hours and the fact that you also avoid stressful and time-consuming commuting. The issue with online jobs, though, is that their sectors are still pretty limited.

[xSkylarx]

This is why the new norm is work from home. People are sick of the 9-5 jobs in cubicles where they basically do something online which they can easily do at home.

Hence they work from home and enjoy spending more time with families. Many businesses ended the work from home options and people just quit and found a job elsewhere because they liked that life style.

Who wants to be stuck in traffic for 1 hour then work 9 to 5 and be stuck in traffic for another hour and come home at 6pm.

It is really better to work from home, but again, this depends on the situation. Right now, comparing it to my past job, it is more stressful; it is mentally exhausting, and you know that is more bad than being physically exhausted because, physically, you can just sleep it off for 2 days and it's gone. Being mentally exhausted because of the stress brought to you by your boss is very different. That is really what I've noticed from a physical to an online workspace, but still, it is an advantage if you think about it, but you can't really say that it is easier online as it is more difficult for my end as they are monitoring your doings online unlike in an office set up that you can relax around.

[Litzki1990]

Those who work under others do not have freedom. Then our freedom is held captive by others. We must walk as they walk. You are lucky because where you work you get two days off per week but here we have one day off per week but if the office has a special need we still have to go to work on that day off. Sometimes many people leave their jobs despite having problems in their families because everything goes beyond their endurance. 

We can never expect freedom if we work under others. In order to come out of this subordination, we have to do something ourselves, we have to set up some business organizations where we can let others do the work and we can do our own thing. If you want to go according to your own will, you have to be your own controller.

[YinShuiSiYuan]

Escaping 9 to 5 job is really difficult in this type of economic crisis and inflation , to cope up with the expenses you need not 1 more than one job so that you can put food in your table and meet everyday expenses.
Businesses are more hectic than office job hours because that takes all your time either its day or night you have to be alert and present and risk factor is more in business than in office job .
So whatsoever the work you do yes you have to wait for the weekend to relax and give time to yourself or your family.

[so98nn]

What to say about this life. It’s really messy in my country. First we don’t have minimum wage system which means we have to earn our bucks based on the salary structure that is given by employer based on our skill set. This means it’s not really enough. Even a PhD holder here starts with such low salary that they are ashamed many times.

What I am referring this to is simpel, due to low salaries and corporate structure here we usually end up working almost 6 days of week. If you are in science field working in laboratory or pharma industry then be ready to forget about Sunday as well.

Those who are like me working normal job along with side hustles will end up working overtime and on weekend too. This ain’t gonna stop soon.

[Russlenat]

What is keeping many people from living a full free life without being tied to a particular job that only gives you 2 days off per week is the means, if you can not afford such life style then you must one way or the other work to sustain your livelihood.
Right now there is nothing more i need than leave my job completely but my income is not going to sustain me much if i don't have a steady income stream, so what to do 
Many people want it but only few can afford to leave that way.

Right now, the more side hustles and investments that are introduced to us, the more eager we want to leave our jobs completely. I know most of the 8-hour job workers here would agree to that. However, if we are the breadwinner in the family, leaving our job is the hardest part. That was my personal experience before. But I realized it’s really up to us how we will change our mindset and take some risks. So I decided to get out from my comfort zone and now I’m living my life the way I always imagined before. Though I’m not really making that huge profits, but what I earned today is much better than what I used to earn way back when I was a full time company employee.

[Synchronice]

At least where I'm at, having two days off per week is considered extremely lucky and privileged, especially if it's two days in a row. Personally, I only had one day off per week, and it honestly wasn't enough. On the one hand, I wanted to get things done around the house and rest, but on the other hand, I didn't want to stay inside doing practically nothing to enjoy myself. Thus, the single day off wasn't even close to being enough. Certainly, I'd be better off with two consecutive days off, but still, is that how you want your life to be for the next 10–20 years, or even more?

Personally, when I am hooked up with particular job, my problem is not a work time but being unable to sleep and thinking about that work. That's good and bad at the same time, good because I'm able to work enormous hours and don't get depressed but bad because if I have free time, then I become like you, can't enjoy my free time, can't do practically nothing or have fun, then I feel guilty for wasting time.

Do you believe that there's a true way to escape this vicious cycle, or are we doomed to live like this forever? Telling me that my minor savings in Bitcoin are going to settle me for the rest of my life isn't going to cut it, because the majority of us won't ever have enough Bitcoin to retire.

Are you satisfied with this way of life, or would you prefer to live a different way? What would you like to change and how? Personally, I'm clueless and not satisfied with the idea of spending the rest of my life like this.

There is but it's not your tiny Bitcoin savings that are going to help you escape. I believe that there are moments always in life, tens of years ago real estates were a good way to earn a lot of money for average citizens, for example take Arnold Schwarzenegger, he become a millionaire by real estates. Then it was something different that was paying off well, then it was computer, then it was Bitcoin, now it's TikTok/Instagram and social media platforms. There are moments always, this is what I understood and I am not going to miss the next chance.

[Bananington]

Personally, I'm clueless and not satisfied with the idea of spending the rest of my life like this.

What I will say is that the situation is different for everyone, some people actually enjoy what they do, and staying idle is not any better. If you already have the mindset not spend the rest of your life like this, you can set a target for yourself financially and an age you wish to retire from working after setting in place some investments to help you carry on living. You do not need to work until the government's approved retirement age, stop when you wantbut do not stop too quickly before you can handle the situation that will follow.

[irhact]

Do you believe that there's a true way to escape this vicious cycle, or are we doomed to live like this forever? Telling me that my minor savings in Bitcoin are going to settle me for the rest of my life isn't going to cut it, because the majority of us won't ever have enough Bitcoin to retire.

There's an escape and it's through investing, Bitcoin isn't the only asset that you can invest in to escapa. You can save up and invest in both Bitcoin and other business that are just starting for you to get a good share of the company and become rich in the future if the company becomes successful. You don't have to rely on just one company you can invest in multiple companies.

You don't have to look far, look around you there are many business getting launched. Just do your search and bet on one of then that looks promising to you. Companies that are working on AI tools are good place to invest because the future is shaping towards AI

[Fiatless]

Are you satisfied with this way of life, or would you prefer to live a different way? What would you like to change and how? Personally, I'm clueless and not satisfied with the idea of spending the rest of my life like this.

Life is not all about making money. But we need to enjoy our lives by doing what gives us joy, fulfillment, and pleasure at the right time. But the problem is that if you don't work hard you might end up becoming poor and needy. The economic situation of the world has turned men into machines that have to work for hours to make ends meet. Until the economic situation improves in my country I doubt I will ever be able to enjoy my life. The sad reality is that we might die unhappy because we dedicated the totality of our productive years to working to survive and not to be fulfilled.

People that are fortunate to have rich parents or relatives will be able to live thier dreams with lucrative inheritances. Others that also dare to resign from their job to chase their dreams might be fortunate. Some sportsmen, entertainers, and entrepreneurs took the risk of dumping their job to pursue their passion. Some of them became successful and acquired sustainable wealth that has allowed them to live a fulfilled life. Early bitcoin investors might have earned some money that will make them not depend totally on their jobs for survival.

[Cling18]

I worked for a company that only gave me one day off per week, and I was physically and mentally drained. It's quite upsetting that we weren't able to enjoy the things we were supposed to be doing and couldn't even spend enough time with our families. A lack of social life and personal relaxation is quite distressing.
I felt like I was stocked up and not growing, so I decided to take risks and hunt out remote opportunities. From then on, I felt real freedom, where I could enjoy life while working from the comfort of my home on a flexible schedule. I realized that we don't have to exhaust ourselves in work that doesn't allow us to enjoy life. If you feel like you're wasting your days at work, try looking for other flexible opportunities online. We need to make money, but our bodies also require adequate relaxation. Our life ambitions would be meaningless if our bodies gave up. To enjoy our daily life, we must value our mental and physical health. I suppose you just need to move out of your comfort zone and look for other options that suit your needs. Yes, we are underprivileged and must work hard to survive, but we must also be willing to learn new skills so that we may take advantage of more opportunities to earn the money we deserve while still getting the rest we need.

[isaac_clarke22]

My point is that there should be a better work to life balance, not to be lazy and have everything ready for yourself. Life should be more than just surviving on the bare minimums.

It's sad that everyone really wants to have that kind of balance, but in reality, there's just luck along with a bit of hardwork where you would get that. Unless you have a paying business that can sustain your monthly bills, you just gotta suck it up and do your best to find that perfect company that would offer that W-L Balance. Somehow I got quite lucky being offered with 3x RTO and the rest of 2 days will be WFH with your choice on what day you would go to the office.

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I recall people saying that there is no "free" in freelancing and I kinda relate to what you just said. I formerly worked as VA and Web Developer in Upwork and starting out was like 24/7 work without pay. Getting that first client is just so painful that you need to spend money just to get a headstart.

Another thing that people don't like working in 9-5 work could also be the culture of the workplace. Office politics sucks a lot for the many although I would hella run if I experienced a single office politics. It's worse than just ending up in a dead-end job.

[kryptqnick]

I'm lucky to not have such a routine, and I don't imagine it for myself. But the downside is that I barely ever get 2 full days off per week, even though generally, I believe that people should work less and rest more.
I think what helps is if you like your job and thus resting is not the only thing you look forward to. I try to do things that I like, even though I could probably do things I like less but which would pay better. My priority is my well-being, feeling like I'm living a life worth living without seeking out the typical expected things like a secure high-paying full-time job, a house, a car etc.
I don't know what sort of skills and experience you have, op, but I do things like teaching, translating, researching, and writing. Each of them could be a full-time job, some could be 9-5 jobs. But I just never go down that road and instead am largely self-employed or seek part-time jobs. Life should bring joy, but I understand that some are less privileged and have fewer options to ensure that they like what they do. To me, it's important to understand first what sort of jobs would bring you joy, what sort of things you're willing to give up for them, and which options are realistic in your particular setting.

[terencio]

Many people feel the same way, especially after the pandemic. It seems like we are stuck in a rat race, working hard for someone else’s benefit, and not having enough time or money to enjoy life. I thought I was lucky to invest in Eth in the early days, but my financial situation and circumstances prevented me from achieving my financial independence.

[tjtonmoy]

Definitely, as someone who only had one day off, I'd be quite satisfied having every weekend off. However, I don't think I'd be happy doing it for the rest of my life.

You can't be successful in life without facing struggles in your life. You are facing hardship right now, but if you can make a savings and create a business on your own, then you will be the boss of yourself. Make enough savings, create a business plan, execute it by giving it your best. I hope you will be successful in your life.
On the other hand, if you choose Bitcoin investment as an option, then that's a long journey. Never think that you will become rich overnight. Have patience and keep this as your backup plan. Meanwhile, focus on doing something else. If one fail, others will remain strong and give you the profits to cover up your losses in case that happens. If both are successful, you can invest the majority of your assets in that to maximize your profits.

[BIT-BENDER]

Although I am not a white collar jobman at least not yet but not everyone has anything against working everyday if possible, I think we humans has so much softness in us that we want to be lazy all the time, for real humans were meant to go out and work that a biological make-up, even in medicine when you don't do so task the body shut down and some sort of sicknesses begins to take over.

For real trying to make something out for your self financially you need to give up the idea of full time pleasure, that's the obvious Truth, and even the self employed still all need to work hard everyday if not their business would go under.

The best way to survive in this hard financial times is to make the best of both times, make most of the work time you have do it to your best and when you have your leisure time make sure you try take advantage of your free time.

[irsykes]

I am grateful to have a job with this digital world, because there are many people out there who want a relaxed job by sitting pretty, there must be risks in the digital world or real work. However, I always introspect with the types that have their own shortcomings, so we can be more grateful. so what we see is not necessarily that it can get better and vice versa for other people. and indeed the division of time is getting narrower when you have a family but it all depends on how to manage time so you don't complain. love the shortcomings that are happening to make it more meaningful

[Bitstar_coin]

What is keeping many people from living a full free life without being tied to a particular job that only gives you 2 days off per week is the means, if you can not afford such life style then you must one way or the other work to sustain your livelihood.
Right now there is nothing more i need than leave my job completely but my income is not going to sustain me much if i don't have a steady income stream, so what to do 
Many people want it but only few can afford to leave that way.

Right now, the more side hustles and investments that are introduced to us, the more eager we want to leave our jobs completely. I know most of the 8-hour job workers here would agree to that. However, if we are the breadwinner in the family, leaving our job is the hardest part. That was my personal experience before. But I realized it’s really up to us how we will change our mindset and take some risks. So I decided to get out from my comfort zone and now I’m living my life the way I always imagined before. Though I’m not really making that huge profits, but what I earned today is much better than what I used to earn way back when I was a full time company employee.

Yeah, i completely agree, i myself can't wait to get to that stage when i will walk away from the 8/9 hours job to just do my thing and be happy with the outcome regardless.
If there are too many dependent, it is very difficult to take that step, i guess the reason why most of us are still stuck. Sometimes getting out of our comfort zone could be the best decision, the hard part is taking that step. But nonetheless, it is a strong thought am really nursing and could happened eventually.

[Majestic-milf]

So, OP, those moods and depressive thoughts can happen to anyone, but try to see the sun in the little things. You have a vacation, and you have a job to take a break from.

I quite agree with you on this. We all can't eat our cake and have it; although I can relate with the Op's dismal mood because these things can eventually wear one out due to how boring and static the cycle can be . But just like you noted,we can't change these things but to appreciate them and not take for granted these things.