F62

Are We Working to Live or Living to Work?

June 04 2018

I'm not exactly sure what I want to say here. The way we live seems to have changed a lot since I was a kid and work seems to be more demanding while giving less in the way of security. The experience I am aware of is that both parts of a couple have to work these days. Whether they have children or not, and if they do... Childcare is a business these days, great for parents who want to use that choice but not so much for parents who want to be there for their children, and each other. Full time work isn't necessarily offered after trial periods are dragged out close to a year so after the initial period so a man ends up working as a casual and missing out on their full time entitlements which is a threat to their security. Sometimes the people closest to me seem to be more at work than actually in my presence as they deal with issues at the work on the phone though they're not paid for this extra effort and give many unpaid hours of their physical time instore as well. That is dedication. Where are we at in modern day times where I'm not so sure we're the well developed society be? Family comes first, Peachy

Comments

RHP User

8 years ago

I realised a very long time ago that it’s vital to have good work / life balance and I’m very fortunate that even in the Executive role I’m currently in, I have been able to maintain that by working full time hours condensed into 4 days, giving a long weekend every week. I don’t have any children, but I do have a life .. and I intend to make the most of that life while I’m able to. Some employers may question why a single woman with no kids should work variable hours when I have no caring responsibilities. My answer is it’s for that that exact reason that I want to experience as much as I can in life. I will give 110% when I’m at the office but I will always balance that with enjoying my long weekends each week My motto is most definitely work to live and not live to work! I have full respect for people who are raising families and both working full time, even more so single parents working full time. it must be difficult in today’s society where everyone expects so much from us. No one knows what the future holds and I don’t want to look back on my life and think I wish I’d done that .. I will be sayng hey remember when we did that ! - Posted from rhpmobile

reply

like
RHP User

8 years ago

Hi well lve worked all my life lam glad lve saved money but lam single try to find sameone but have no luck Just like on other dating sites work also but would like to meet sameone for fun times and great sex l hope

reply

like
boxestotick

8 years ago

We always have goals to work towards - music festivals, overseas holidays, weekends away. It’s important to have something rewarding to work towards. I just don’t understand people whose goal in life is to simply pay off the house. I’d rather die having lived life with a smaller bank balance than dying a gazzillionaire with no experiences having been lived. - Posted from rhpmobile

reply

like
RHP User

8 years ago

I am a single mum with two kids. I work part time to try and earn a living and also balance my parental responsibilities. I can't be everywhere at once but I think I have struck a reasonable compromise. My boss is incredibly understanding so if my children need me I am pretty much available for them. I know I am lucky in that regard. Baz x

reply

like
RHP User

8 years ago

Nobody has ever laid on their deathbed and thought "I wish I had spent more time in the office." - Posted from rhpmobile

reply

like
RHP User

8 years ago

A lot of people are realizing they dont want to work their ass off their whole life ,spending so much time away from there families,and in a lot of cases still only just managing to make ends meet There are many other alternatives these days besides the 9 to 5 grind,especially tapping into the power of the internetI know a lot of people who do online affiliate marketing(which is just one example)They travel the world and can work from anywhere with nothing but a laptop or smartphone..Some of them make more money in a few hours than what the average person makes in a month.

reply

like
RHP User

8 years ago

My ex partner is a real estate agent and people used to think it was their right to call him at whatever or day they felt like it, even 9pm on a sunday. It used to drive me crazy but he would do it because of the nature of the job. Where I work is 99% men, and most of them have families, but they are unhealthy, they are hour/money hungry and all I see of them is they will work until one day they drop dead, and they have wasted their life at work instead of their loved ones. In saying that I am working pretty much 12hour nightshifts, bed at 5, up at 12 to leave for work again at 3. I am lucky though in that I don't have family or a partner so it doesn't matter. - Posted from rhpmobile

reply

like
RHP User

8 years ago

I have had two relatives who chased the dollars all their lives, worked like demons, built up investment property portfolios and all that rubbish - and died of cancer in their 50's. Both very much regretted, in their sunset days, not spending more time living life instead of chasing wealth. That's their chance done though, they're both long gone and bones in the ground now. I have always worked to live, I have not advanced quite as far at my work as I might have; I could study this, that and the other and really go a few rungs further up the ladder - but then I look at all the stress those further up the ladder endure on a daily basis. No thanks. I am lucky in that I earn a good amount, I live comfortably and travel often. That is good enough for me. Some say though that the only people that say money doesn't matter are those that have enough of it.

reply

like
MsSuperFoxy

8 years ago

We are all given work and life Choices. What we do with those choices, determines the outcome of good and bad consequences. I suppose I'm in an extremely lucky position and that I do have the ability to manage full time work, family commitments and personal life with ease. I am thankful that I do have the freedom to do the things I want to do, when I want and with whom. It makes me happy and less stressed, which is important to me and my well being. Ms Foxy

reply

like
kisslids

8 years ago

If anyone would like to buy a cafe x2 and a ice cream business then I can start living. Choice was all mine - Posted from rhpmobile

reply

like
RHP User

8 years ago

My rule's always been to work to live. Early into my current job I made it pretty clear that my work hours are my work hours, and once quitting time finishes, I'm going home- and once I go home, I'm not thinking about work until the next morning. May sound a little bratty and entitled (and I am very fortunate to work in a place large enough to not be able to get away with forcing people) but I feel you have to stand up for yourself. Otherwise you'll find yourself a slave to the system and not enjoying life. I just don't see the point in having more money than I could ever use sitting around me in my 70s or 80s when the previous 50-60 years have just been wasted at a desk.

reply

like
nightingale8

8 years ago

I enjoy my job so at this point lucky to say both are true. As they say, money doesn't make you happy. But it buys you the time to think about what makes you happy. - Posted from rhpmobile

reply

like
nightingale8

8 years ago

The working to live part ain't so lucky 😂 - Posted from rhpmobile

reply

like
RHP User

8 years ago

When I was in my early twenties I used work as a way to drop my stupid ways. I worked saturdays and some sundays and developed a strong work ethic and built up my own business. I thought hard work and long hours was the only way to live. Moving forward, before I realised it my marriage was over because I had been away from home too much with work. Even after being told I needed to put in more time with my family I thought work is what I have to do, it is me. Looking back and in my position now I realise it is all about balance and first and foremost family and friends first. Hard to learn balance it can be a hard lesson.

reply

like
RHP User

8 years ago

Modern slaves are in debt.

reply

like
RHP User

8 years ago

I don't believe that work is just a necessary evil. For me, as well as an income, it gives me people contact, a focus, amusing and memorable times with good workmates, some satisfaction regarding serving/making happy customers, almost a drive and meaning in general. Being the only single in my extended family and most friends now, most with full time commitments outside of work such as children, sometimes I don't feel the things I might do on days off (watch a movie, walk the dog, games, little craft hobbies, catch up on chores etc) as interesting or relaxing as they should be. Sometimes they only feel like time fillers. Other times though they are really enjoying. Obviously there are some planned holidays thrown in, often a road trip, the most recent being 3 weeks in NZ, but that especially was without my dog meaning I did feel somewhat homesick. For other days off with no set ideas on things to do, especially if on weekdays, sometimes I almost feel like going back to work. When I was living in Canberra I did have the benefit of a large circle of young single friends, albeit many church minded (myself an atheist) through the network of flatmates. But but we got up to heaps of group things from board games, to sports, to 4WDing and bushwalking even skydiving. Some of these things are not possible solo and some of them are simply better shared I think. I did ask people once what they would do if they didn't have to work (they had enough money). Most would need some kind of regular drive or fulfilment, perhaps in the form of volunteering, which is technically work, but more self driven and with more choice and flexibility. - Posted from rhpmobile

reply

like
RHP User

8 years ago

Working to live but I can see the light

reply

like
RHP User

8 years ago

As usual, I was perusing Facebook this morning over toast and coffee, before I started work for the day. I noticed a friend had posted a smiling selfie with a comment about "122 hours worked, time for some R&R.." Or something like that. A well-meaning person had commented, "Don't work too hard, beautiful, it's not worth it.." I thought about it while I chewed my peanut butter and vegemite because I strongly disagreed. I know that the friend is a single mum with more to think about than just herself. Forget about "getting ahead" for a moment...just surviving in this society is going to take hard work. Whether it's for the job or personal, whether the reward is money, or something more immaterial...everything meaningful takes hard work. That's what gives things meaning.

reply

like
boobsandbusted

8 years ago

after 27years of self employment ,my work work life balance is pretty good ,it’s the work at home that seems to be the killer at the moment just not enough hours in the day or weekends ,leaving me and mrs b feeling exhausted most of the time ,so many thing pulling us in different directions for one thing or another ,no time for self , not whinging just sayin ,it’s a choice and will get there in the end ,just a long tunnel with a very very faint light ,and to add to it why oh why did we get a puppy ,gawd he is a time killer ,if i ever had one ,lol, we did it cos we are not selfish like some self centred selfish parasites that are ingrained in our family life whether we like it or not 😡 - Posted from rhpmobile

reply

like

Are We Working to Live or Living to Work?

Comments

Tags

Boards

Forum help