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Abstract

k of time. She has a new job, and with the time she spends at work, along with her commute, she doesn’t have the time or energy to do anything else.The “welcome to adulthood sweetie-pie” vibe in the replies and mockery of her being visibly upset completely dismisses her valid point.When did we get to the stage in our work-life balance that the scales are tipped entirely to work, leaving no time to live?<h1 id="3fee">Do you work to live or live to work?</h1>Many of us are little worker ants scurrying through our days, weeks, and months. Time merges together in one big hot pot of existence. And before we know it, we expire.Our lives are precious and impermeant, yet we spend most of our waking time at work or traveling to and from work. According to these <a href="https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/commute-time-savings-when-working-home">figures</a>, the average worldwide commute time is 72 minutes daily. In the UK, the average working week is <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/280763/average-working-hours-uk/">36.2 hours</a>, with <a href="https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/holidays-and-holiday-pay/check-if-youre-entitled-to-paid-holidays/#:~:text=The%20law%20says%20workers%20should,to%20them%20%2D%20check%20your%20contract.">statutory holiday limited to 28 days</a>.Of course, many organisations require their employees to work longer hours than average, including unplanned overtime. I’ve worked several 26+ hour shifts in the past, yes — with no sleep. I’m sure we all know people who regularly churn out 10+ hour days, five or even six days a week.And for what?Yes, we need money, but when we suffer from burnout or illness, we quickly learn that our health carries more value than money.Life shouldn’t be what happens with the loose change of time we salvage between our working hours.Children are raised to believe that if they work hard, they can be anything they want to be. But we forget to warn them of the time sinkhole that will suddenly suck away their life. And that their time becomes owned by someone else.Can you remember your first full-time job?Shiny and fast, my company car was the envy of many friends. Sure, it was nice to drive, but it didn’t transfix me. Luckily I was immune to its allure. It didn’t glaze my eyes ov

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er nor cause me to outstretch my arms and move blindly ahead in a mindless zombie walk.My time was more important than that showy car. Time to spend learning, investing in my health and well-being, and leaning into my personal growth. Time for connecting with others and contributing to society through voluntary work.But I had no time.I was sucked into the system and slapped hard with the reality of life. Luckily I escaped that era and have found a much healthier work-life balance.All those replying to Brielleybelly123 in a “suck it up, buttercup” sort of way, may have become disillusioned with life and accepted their working fate, but that doesn’t make our working culture right. Nor does it mean future generations need to follow on like lemmings.Productive workers are happy workers. They are the ones who have the time and space for their own development outside of the workplace. There’s a reason why the <a href="https://www.ukri.org/who-we-are/how-we-are-doing/research-outcomes-and-impact/esrc/a-four-day-working-week-improves-mental-and-physical-health/#:~:text=some%20of%20the%20most%20extensive,the%20end%20of%20the%20trial">four-day working week</a> has proven to be so successful for both employees and employers alike: they promote health and well-being and enhance physical and mental health.Remember, happy workers equals productive workers.<h1 id="256f">Let’s work hard and play hard</h1>Don’t get me wrong, I work damn hard. In fact, I recently wrote about my past <a href="https://readmedium.com/42-jobs-in-42-years-and-i-still-havent-found-what-i-m-looking-for-36f4884bb9ae">42 different jobs</a>. But playing hard is a prerequisite counterbalance to working hard.I’m not on this planet to work myself to exhaustion. In all honesty, I haven’t figured out why I am on this planet yet, but it’s certainly not to line some fat cat’s pocket full of dosh so he can colonise Mars!Keep calling out the BS Brielleybelly123, I hope you find a better balance, and you don’t allow life to eat you up and spit you out. Just because all the haters accepted their fate, it doesn’t mean you have to. You rise up and go get ’em, girl. There’s more to life than lengthy commutes and working a nine-to-five.Thanks for reading <a href="undefined">Ali Hall</a></article></body>

This Viral TikToker Was Mocked and Shamed, But She’s Right

What do we do when life becomes all work and no play?

There’s a sort of Emperor's New Clothes feel to a viral TikTok video I watched recently.

The TikTok is by a Gen Z female who goes under the name of Brielleybelly123. The ridicule and pushback she has received in response to her raw and honest TikTok is nauseating.

But she raises a good point.

The mob is just angry because, deep down, they know she speaks the truth and that they’ve surrendered their lives to be used as pawns in the capitalist game of life.

In my Emperor’s New Clothes comparison, Brielleybelly123 is the little child pointing out that the Emperor is naked. She does this by calling out the BS of her working situation. It’s interesting how much she triggered people. Many people in her comments are clearly feeling foolish for succumbing to their working lives without verbalising the sheer ludicrousness of it all.

No one likes to feel duped. Rather than admit that Brielleybelly123 is right, there’s an onslaught of shaming.

Projection is an interesting response.

In the short TikTok, Brielleybelly123 is upset about her lack of time. She has a new job, and with the time she spends at work, along with her commute, she doesn’t have the time or energy to do anything else.

The “welcome to adulthood sweetie-pie” vibe in the replies and mockery of her being visibly upset completely dismisses her valid point.

When did we get to the stage in our work-life balance that the scales are tipped entirely to work, leaving no time to live?

Do you work to live or live to work?

Many of us are little worker ants scurrying through our days, weeks, and months. Time merges together in one big hot pot of existence. And before we know it, we expire.

Our lives are precious and impermeant, yet we spend most of our waking time at work or traveling to and from work. According to these figures, the average worldwide commute time is 72 minutes daily. In the UK, the average working week is 36.2 hours, with statutory holiday limited to 28 days.

Of course, many organisations require their employees to work longer hours than average, including unplanned overtime. I’ve worked several 26+ hour shifts in the past, yes — with no sleep. I’m sure we all know people who regularly churn out 10+ hour days, five or even six days a week.

And for what?

Yes, we need money, but when we suffer from burnout or illness, we quickly learn that our health carries more value than money.

Life shouldn’t be what happens with the loose change of time we salvage between our working hours.

Children are raised to believe that if they work hard, they can be anything they want to be. But we forget to warn them of the time sinkhole that will suddenly suck away their life. And that their time becomes owned by someone else.

Can you remember your first full-time job?

Shiny and fast, my company car was the envy of many friends. Sure, it was nice to drive, but it didn’t transfix me. Luckily I was immune to its allure. It didn’t glaze my eyes over nor cause me to outstretch my arms and move blindly ahead in a mindless zombie walk.

My time was more important than that showy car. Time to spend learning, investing in my health and well-being, and leaning into my personal growth. Time for connecting with others and contributing to society through voluntary work.

But I had no time.

I was sucked into the system and slapped hard with the reality of life. Luckily I escaped that era and have found a much healthier work-life balance.

All those replying to Brielleybelly123 in a “suck it up, buttercup” sort of way, may have become disillusioned with life and accepted their working fate, but that doesn’t make our working culture right. Nor does it mean future generations need to follow on like lemmings.

Productive workers are happy workers. They are the ones who have the time and space for their own development outside of the workplace. There’s a reason why the four-day working week has proven to be so successful for both employees and employers alike: they promote health and well-being and enhance physical and mental health.

Remember, happy workers equals productive workers.

Let’s work hard and play hard

Don’t get me wrong, I work damn hard. In fact, I recently wrote about my past 42 different jobs. But playing hard is a prerequisite counterbalance to working hard.

I’m not on this planet to work myself to exhaustion. In all honesty, I haven’t figured out why I am on this planet yet, but it’s certainly not to line some fat cat’s pocket full of dosh so he can colonise Mars!

Keep calling out the BS Brielleybelly123, I hope you find a better balance, and you don’t allow life to eat you up and spit you out. Just because all the haters accepted their fate, it doesn’t mean you have to. You rise up and go get ’em, girl. There’s more to life than lengthy commutes and working a nine-to-five.

Thanks for reading Ali Hall