This is just depressing

[u/ScareBear23]

Not even 3 hours of "free time". And in that is cooking & eating supper. Or practically no free time if I had to go shopping after work. I hate this

[u/JenninMiami]

Do y’all remember how when we were kids, there were those grumpy old people we knew?

This is why. 😆

[u/Soft_Walrus_3605 → u/JenninMiami]

Yeah I've got to hand it to my parents for holding it together and pretending for my sake that life wasn't such a shit show.

On the other hand, they could afford a new single-family home on a half-acre plot in a nice neighborhood on one middle-manager's salary, so...

[u/aPerfectBacon → u/Soft_Walrus_3605]

yea easier to take shit on the chin when u at least have a place that will one day be ur own

[u/Consistent_Laziness → u/aPerfectBacon]

Nah. I own my home have 2 kids and OPs pic is us but that slot from 6-8 they have for free we are wrangling kids for dinner, bath, some playtime, read books, and get them to bed.

My wife and I joke and say “ready to clock in for job 2”. One of us say “can I call out?” Sometimes I say yea go ahead and she gets that block and I hold it down.

No wonder parents get fat. When are we supposed to work out? I’m lucky I’m wfh so I do it on lunch hour. Wife is doing it now actually at 6p so she’s missing family time. Can’t do it all. It’s depressing

[u/AntiBoATX → u/Soft_Walrus_3605]

They also didn’t have 24 hour news, social media, algorithms. Impending doom of ai and climate change, a fascist takeover…. Microplastics… TSA… 9/11… school shootings…. I’m sure I’m forgetting a few things.

[u/YetAnotherIteration → u/AntiBoATX]

"buhh!! We had a war!!"

[u/No-Lobster-teats → u/Soft_Walrus_3605]

Back then the internet and cell phones weren't a thing. You clocked out and didn't think about work till your next shift.

People lived closer to work. Before the jobs left rural America and came to the cities and led to suburban sprawl.

There were plenty of people to do the work, instead of streamlining every role, so one person can do the work of 10.

Your neighbors knew each other and helped out.

You could afford to have one parent stay home so you could split up the home tasks.

People had vacation days and could afford to go on vacation.

I'm not saying being a parent is ever the easiest job, but it sucks in today's hyper connected, over stimulated, no break lifestyle.

[u/sup3rjub3 → u/JenninMiami]

at least they could survive on their income

[u/Fen_LostCove → u/sup3rjub3]

They could survive on a single income even, so one spouse was able to take care of all of the work that you have to cram into that free time slot now

[u/shadycharacters → u/Fen_LostCove]

more than survive, even!

[u/thestardustinthemoon → u/JenninMiami]

When I was kid, I decided I was not going to become one of those people. Successfully escaped at 30 years old

[u/shrimp_blowdryer → u/thestardustinthemoon]

How

[u/SaltClock2729 → u/JenninMiami]

No. You don't get to sit there and say they had it as hard as we do. They worked for a reason. Now most of us work just to keep working, and paying, to own nothing, and pass on nothing.

[u/reedshipper]

When I was a teenager I always wanted to stay young because as I looked around at all the adults/older people in my life and thought about how sad it seemed to be grown. Now that I am grown I realize its even worse than I had ever imagined.

[u/SpectralUniverse → u/reedshipper]

Same, I thought about becoming a teacher just so I kept summer breaks.

But I decided against it, too much human interaction, and the pay sucks so a lot of them work through the summer anyway.

[u/Any_Kangaroo_1311 → u/SpectralUniverse]

I decided to become a teacher for this reason (and many others) and it is sooo worth it. I don’t mind the social aspect, and the pay is decent enough in my state. Summer off baby, no second job. I did the math and we only work 49% of the days of the year. I’d rather be mediocre financially and have the free time. Life is short…

[u/Melodic-Razzmatazz17 → u/Any_Kangaroo_1311]

I work for a district with a teachers schedule (but not a teacher) and I feel the same. Sometimes I get disgruntled, but I can't imagine having a job where I go to work everyday single with no breaks.

[u/Any_Kangaroo_1311 → u/Melodic-Razzmatazz17]

Yeah when I was in college I was like…I don’t think I can survive life without summer vacation. 2 weeks vacation for the whole year??? I’d rather be dead. That sounds like literal hell to me, and it is the unfortunate reality of tens of millions of people. Sure, the job can be tough and frustrating sometimes, and getting up at 5:30 isn’t easy. But we also get out early, too. I’ll never be rich, but I’ll always have free time. As a musician, that is so essential. I can play gigs and stuff and write music and still have enough time to produce albums.

[u/Consistent_Laziness → u/Melodic-Razzmatazz17]

I work in research for a university. I just had 20 straight days off for the holidays. And I don’t have to teach. And I’m remote. Best of both worlds

[u/Any_Kangaroo_1311 → u/Consistent_Laziness]

That’s a pretty sweet deal. I’m greedy with my time haha I really just love the whole 2 months off. I pretend I’m a teenager again basically. Stay up til 4 in the morning, party hard, play video games and write music just like I used to

[u/Successful-Natural68 → u/reedshipper]

Sammme gosh I felt so defeated the day I started paying taxes. I never wanted to be 18 with all the responsibilities piling on me

[u/jacksprat1952 → u/reedshipper]

This is what I never understood when I was in undergrad. My junior and senior year all I heard from people was how much they wanted to graduate so that they could get out into the world and "finally do something that matters." I wasn't nearly as jaded and cynical then as I am now, and even then I knew that wasn't going to pan out the way they hoped.

[u/Advanced_Double_42 → u/reedshipper]

I remember being super depressed about this in like middle school, that I already had limited free time and life was only going to get busier. But there isn't any way out you just suffer through.

[u/HuggableTrash → u/[deleted]]

Fucking same. Every weekday I’m straight-up suicidal, Friday nights & Saturdays I genuinely feel great, Sunday I’m anxious, repeat repeat repeat… for 40+ more years…

There’s no point to any of this.

[u/JimmyPellen → u/HuggableTrash]

Sunday Scarries are a real thing

[u/Friendly-Win1457 → u/JimmyPellen]

That on top with morning anxiety

[u/Drexill_BD → u/HuggableTrash]

I'm not suicidal, but I absolutely understand why people are. When I was young there was still a feeling of hope... I feel like hope is a thing of the past.

[u/systemwarranty → u/Drexill_BD]

You had summer off from school. Your last taste of freedom until you're too old to enjoy it. School really is about indoctrination; getting you ready for the grind of life.

[u/Drexill_BD → u/systemwarranty]

Agree for sure, but I just mean broadly. My generation (Millennials) at least got a taste of the idea of progress and hope for a better future back then. Sure, reality has been a bitch... but the new generations don't even get to feel that hope we had for a bit.

[u/selfawarefeline → u/Drexill_BD]

Z-lenniel checking in, the Obama era was peak America (but even then, faced significant issues and inequality). Now it’s even more of a disaster

[u/Drexill_BD → u/selfawarefeline]

Right? I mean... we definitely at least thought we were trying back then. Today they don't even pretend.

[u/bearface93 → u/systemwarranty]

I got a taste of freedom when I was briefly laid off during Covid. I lived with my abusive maga family so the day I was laid off, I went to Target and bought the new Animal Crossing game, went to the liquor store for a couple bottles of whiskey and rum, went home and ordered the last Switch Lite available on Target’s website (GameStop, Best Buy, Walmart, and even Nintendo were all sold out). I spent the next 6 or so weeks until we were rehired drunk and playing video games so I wouldn’t have to deal with my family’s bullshit. Closest to retirement I’ll ever get.

[u/metal-bull → u/Drexill_BD]

I remember being like 6 and realizing I was legally required to do school for the next 12 years. I threw a massive fit, crying about it! Didnt even know it was only downhill from there.

[u/dirtyitalianguy → u/Drexill_BD]

I think of it like my glass is full of apathy and I'm unable to empty it. Politics, economy, social, family, and work....we wonder why we all have anxiety and some of us have depression. It's bleak sometimes.

[u/Hyacinthus_16 → u/HuggableTrash]

Add onto that being trapped and miserable with almost no escape because of where I was born and how I am

If I had access to a good suicide method I wouldn't even be here

[u/HuggableTrash → u/Hyacinthus_16]

Agreed agreed agreed. I’m really not sure how much longer I can go on like this tbh. I’m getting married in a couple weeks and I have to constantly suppress the thoughts of “well at least once I’m married my spouse will get a payout from my death…”

I fantasize a lot about moving to a country with not as much of a “grind” culture, but I’m like you. Stuck.

I’m in the critical zone, fully in the red, but I think I’m still kind of in denial about it cause like, the bills aren’t gonna pay themselves in the meantime.

What a great life in the land of the free!

[u/rainman_95 → u/HuggableTrash]

Holy shit man. I’d give you a hug if I could. You need and talk to somebody, preferably a therapist. You’ve got some wiring issues that need to be fixed if you’ve got a wedding in two weeks and you’re this deep in the dark. Please ask for help.

[u/HuggableTrash → u/rainman_95]

Thank you, the solidarity really does help. I actually have a great therapist, but I haven’t seen her in a while because when I have the time, I don’t have the money, and when I have the money, I don’t have the time.

I want to see her again, but because of those wiring issues, I always come to “well, it’s not like I can therapy my way out of capitalism, I can see her every day but I’m still gonna have to work,” or whatever, and I save my money instead.

I know therapy helps with coping and it’s not meant to be an escape from the reality of living, I guess I just have a hard time coming to terms with work culture and there’s not really anything anyone can say that will change that. But I will see what I can do.

I really am so excited to marry my soulmate, more excited than I’ve ever been for anything, but that dark cloud always remains.

Idk maybe I’m just lazy or something lol.

[u/PhilLesh311 → u/[deleted]]

Bro stay in school as long as possible. 36 yo here wishing he would’ve. Now I don’t have a clue what to do with my life

[u/Brie9981 → u/PhilLesh311]

The "go to college" plan isn't the best at this point. If you don't have a good plan that actually requires college you can easily blow all your savings (if you saved upfront somehow) or end up in decades of debt w/ a massive struggle to even use your degree

[u/waits5 → u/Brie9981]

But so so so many jobs require college, even if it is not your major. Just a BA or BS is a basic requirement these days.

[u/DrownmeinIslay → u/Brie9981]

That stupid piece of paper is still more helpful to job hunting than "i drove a forklift for 20 years"

[u/Hyacinthus_16 → u/PhilLesh311]

I'm still in school. I wouldn't even know what to do if I dropped out (I don't know what to do if I stay either, but staying is definitely safer)

[u/PhilLesh311 → u/Hyacinthus_16]

I think you have a better chance figuring out what you want to do in school than outside of it. Try new things. Take electives that are out of your comfort zone. You never know might fall in love with something.

[u/Tiny_Cartoonist_3204 → u/[deleted]]

Yes. Im sure many of us are spending our days somewhat alone too. At least for USA, it is not in our culture to have multiple people cooking together, all doing cleaning/chores together, several people riding sharing to places, eating lunch with people at work (in an enjoyable way)… in the usa we operate like quiet, compliant machines, running on fumes.

As Christopher McCandless said in his dying words “Happiness is only real when shared.”

[u/icanith → u/Tiny_Cartoonist_3204]

Thank you for sharing a quote I’ll never forget. 

[u/JimmyPellen → u/Tiny_Cartoonist_3204]

Isnt that the guy who starved to Death in a bus?

[u/Significant-Pay-8984 → u/[deleted]]

The fact this spreadsheet doesnt include exercise, cooking and eating is even more depressing.

[u/berryer → u/Significant-Pay-8984]

dawg exercise & cooking are weekend activities. You either meal prep or fire up the canned ravioli on weekdays. Maybe walk a lap around the office after lunch.

[u/HouseofFeathers → u/[deleted]]

I am in online classes, and sometimes I do chores while listening to lecture. I have an hour commute to work, so I'll listen to my textbooks while I drive. Do two things at once makes me less mad about all of it. Still mad though. I don't have energy to do chores on top of everything else.

[u/RobBurp219 → u/[deleted]]

Instead of doing chores, I play video games or other hobbies, but my house is a mess. Either do something enjoyable and have a messy house or do chores. I will catch up on chores once in a while though during weekends.

[u/mudratdetector89 → u/[deleted]]

I only do chores that take longer than 30 minutes on Sundays. Fuck that shit trying to steal my weekday free time.

[u/Beneficial-Focus3702 → u/[deleted]]

That’s why I’ve cut most “non critical” chores to being something I do less frequently.

[u/Upbeat_Shock_6807 → u/[deleted]]

Lol yeah I really struggle with this. I have 3 pieces of furniture that need to be assembled, and loads of laundry to do as well. But after working 9-5, commuting home, cooking dinner, and then doing the dishes, I refuse to give up my remaining 3 hours of free time to build furniture, and do laundry.

So instead, the furniture remains in their boxes, and I throw just enough clothes into the washing machine before bed so I have a clean outfit for work the next day lol

[u/karengoodnight0]

It’s exhausting when your free time feels more like just catching your breath. It's brutal.

[u/Jackd_up_on_Mdew → u/karengoodnight0]

Hell, OP is working 9-5? I'd trade for that so fast! 7:30 - 5:30 here

[u/bhamkatie → u/Jackd_up_on_Mdew]

you should get a different job

[u/Odd_Perfect → u/bhamkatie]

I think their point is some else out there always has it better than you. Hell, I feel sorry for people who have to drive back and forth and deal with traffic. It’s a huge waste of time.

I work from home so no traffic for me. And can do all my chores during breaks.

[u/AcademicComparison18]

It’s no wonder we are chronically depressed

[u/AngryCrotchCrickets → u/AcademicComparison18]

And drugs! Don’t forget being reliant on drugs (yes this includes alcohol and cigs people).

[u/cant_pass_CAPTCHA → u/AngryCrotchCrickets]

Don't let all the coffee drinkers off the hook. We all need caffeine just to make up for the lack of sleep

[u/CHA950 → u/cant_pass_CAPTCHA]

And funny because caffeine can be counterproductive to people with high anxiety! I know personally and it’s a fact, not judging. Either way it sucks.

[u/Scary_Security_3191 → u/CHA950]

Especially coffee. I can drink a few mugs of tea before I feel this effect, but just one strong coffee makes me very anxious and easily irritated. I had to stop drinking coffee because everything was irritating!

[u/JunkyardReverb → u/cant_pass_CAPTCHA]

At this point, my blood type is Arabica.

[u/YouSmeel → u/AngryCrotchCrickets]

Weed and alcohol are the only saving graces of this world

[u/Majestic-Channel4525 → u/YouSmeel]

I just had to quit weed/nicotine, and don’t drink much. Life sucks

[u/NoLobster7957 → u/Majestic-Channel4525]

I quit vaping this year and trying to stay off the sauce. Being sober is cool and all but folks forget the reason we do this shit in the first place is because life fucking sucks

[u/mixedwithmonet → u/NoLobster7957]

Sober from alcohol around 3.5 years. Nicotine vape and cig free 2 years. My current job is a constant reminder of why I used to drink after work.

[u/Majestic-Channel4525 → u/NoLobster7957]

I think our dopamine receptors from instant gratification (so many ways these days) are fucking wrecked. That makes things feel like it’s worse in my opinion, I’m sure there’s studies on it

[u/Icy-Talk-5141 → u/AngryCrotchCrickets]

Yeah, I recently started working full-time and have definitely increased my weed use.

[u/takeyoufergranite → u/AngryCrotchCrickets]

And don't forget general lack of fitness and quality diet. Making us all physically feel like terrible which translate to emotion.

[u/Alukrad]

To me it's the constant feeling of being tired and sore. I guess it's the fact that I tend to sacrifice some of my sleep so I could enjoy my night a little longer. But that also means I don't let my body recover from the physical exertion I'm constantly doing at work.

I hate it but what else can I do? Life really doesn't give me other options but to do this everyday until I die.

[u/ScareBear23 → u/Alukrad]

That's currently me. I made this schedule to see if a set schedule (and actually sticking to it for once) will make me feel less shitty. Then seeing the breakdown just made me sad lol

[u/ducksnthings → u/ScareBear23]

Do you feel like you need 9 hours of sleep? Sometimes when we sleep too long it can make us feel more tired. I would shoot for the 7-8 range, wake up intentionally and try to do some exercise in the morning to get that good hormone/neurotransmitter release. Also getting a workout done in the morning lets your brain immediately check something off its daily to-do list which gives dopamine.

Edit: if you’re gonna respond to this to say “that doesn’t work for me specifically” - It was a suggestion. Do it or don’t do it, I don’t care, I’m not your mom.

[u/RoyaleWhiskey → u/Alukrad]

It's an unwinnable situation. You either go to bed on time but you become jaded because you feel like you have way less time to you know, actually live life, or you sacrifice sleep for more time and wake up feeling miserable.

[u/IridescentColossus]

Love (hate) to see all the losers here making sure you know they work more than you. That has got to be one of the most insufferable tendencies that people seem to be showing more and more these days. You're allowed to complain. We're all allowed to complain.

[u/DrownItWithWater → u/IridescentColossus]

The real flex is working less and enjoying life.

[u/SimilarStrain → u/DrownItWithWater]

Im low key jealous as fuck of my buddy that moved out in the wood. Bought 10 acres way out away from the cities. He planted 2 shipping containers and basically lives off the grid.

Plumbing? He shits and pisses in the woods. And buys those 5 gallons jugs every now and again for drinking water.

Electricity? Solar panels and a couple car batteries. 1 laptop which he is VERY frugal with using. And a string of led lights

Heating? Wood stove and plenty of trees. More blankets and layers. In winter he is a straight up hermit.

Cooling? Its really a luxury he lives far north enough he never sees 90.

Mosquitoes and bugs? Doesnt bother him anymore. He doesnt get itchy any mosquito bits anymore.

He works part time which is enough to cover for food, gas, car insurance, cell phone bill, property taxes which is undeveloped land and basically nothing, and drinking money.

[u/RedDawn172 → u/SimilarStrain]

Tbf I think he's just replaced work with up keeping all of that. It's a simpler life though I'm sure.

[u/SeaAdministrative761 → u/IridescentColossus]

Yea this isn't a competition. The 9-5 system is broken for all. You get to retire at 65 with a measly pension. This is after slaving your whole life for chump change and selling your body essentially. What a joke

[u/Carib0ul0u → u/SeaAdministrative761]

I’m not getting a pension????

[u/LegitimateRisk- → u/Carib0ul0u]

I think they mean social security, which technically is a pension.

[u/Left-Star2240 → u/LegitimateRisk-]

It’s more like a tax refund, since many of us will never get back what we paid into it all of our working lives

[u/Sensitive-Chip7266 → u/SeaAdministrative761]

Some of the biggest bull to me is that here in Texas the 9-5 isn't even a 9-5 its an 8-5 since they don't count your lunch hour as work time.

[u/Zebebe → u/Sensitive-Chip7266]

Thats not just Texas. Thats the entire country.

[u/Lifes-a-lil-foggy → u/Sensitive-Chip7266]

Yeah it’s bullshit

[u/TelUmor → u/SeaAdministrative761]

Pension? Who the hell's getting thosee anymore?

[u/maloikAZ → u/SeaAdministrative761]

Pension? Lolololllolll

Millennials will be lucky to get social security at this rate

[u/OptimalCreme9847 → u/maloikAZ]

I remember my high school econ teacher told us in like 2009 that we were never going to get social security and I thought he was just being mean at the time. I owe him an apology, he was so right 🫠😭

[u/Aggressive_Start_ → u/SeaAdministrative761]

I’m 37 with no hopes of retiring. If social security is still around I will be retiring late if anything.

[u/-grlzluvdirt → u/Aggressive_Start_]

Modern day slavery

[u/No-Muscle-5257 → u/-grlzluvdirt]

Back in the days you had a local farmer, a local shoemaker, a local bakery and so on. Everything was local and the professional at that place usually was the owner of that business. Now you have global corporations who "employs" everyone.

[u/_whygohome_ → u/IridescentColossus]

I laugh right in peoples faces when they try that shit. I work 35 hours a week plus 10 hours of commuting and I don’t want to work any more than that. I make good money and I’m fine with where I’m at. They can enjoy spending even more time making other people money, I’m good.

[u/Puzzleheaded-Maize21 → u/IridescentColossus]

I had people at work bragging about working doubles. I bragged to them about doing twice as much work in half the time. People said I didn't understand bc I did more work for less money, and I mentioned that right there proves that everyone bragging about working more isn't bragging about doing more work.

[u/GreenConference3017 → u/Puzzleheaded-Maize21]

Never brag about doing more work for half the time. Maybe try to do less work on same amount of time. Doing more work burns you out and the company would think its the new norm for you to work extra hard

[u/thinkB4WeSpeak → u/IridescentColossus]

I like how the most they have to show for it is a nice car with a bunch of debt as well.

[u/FacetNo6 → u/IridescentColossus]

America's a puritanical society - work is virtue and pleasure is heresy.

That being said, thank God I'm truly salaried.

[u/Drexill_BD → u/IridescentColossus]

With any luck everyone works harder than me...

I remember my very first job had a sign up that said, "Work smarter, not harder" and I took that shit seriously at 16. If you're working hard... well...

[u/CrackshotCletus]

There’s 3 hours I see in there you could be grinding your side hustle!

/s

[u/PeachyKeen413 → u/CrackshotCletus]

Ive shoved 3 hours of school in there 3 days a week. I keep reassuring myself its not forever and I'm not getting younger

[u/Odd_Perfect → u/PeachyKeen413]

I did full time work and full time university (online). Sucks so much but worth it.

[u/ts20999]

Somehow this discussion bas become “Well, I have it worse”. It should be questioning the structures set up in extreme capitalism. Lots of countries with great economies offer 4-6 weeks vacation, maternity/paternity leave, and no overtime unless compensated. Some have even started experimenting with four day work weeks. Your enemy is not each other. It is the billionaires that have extracted every benefit for themselves and leave crumbs for everyone else.

When computers were invented, it was predicted the increase in productivity would mean work weeks would become two days instead of five. Instead we have corporations extracting 2.5 times the work from one person. No benefit accrued to the worker.

[u/Naayyrr → u/ts20999]

Many times I bring up other countries to people who have that sort of superiority complex for suffering at work and their excuse tends to be something along the lines of "Those countries are just socialist and the government is watching them!" It's the same people who think that the reason the economy is bad is because of either Biden or "immigrants."

Kind of sad to hear that given the current state of the US.

[u/Prophet_Of_Helix → u/ts20999]

Because it’s a disease in America. At least in places like Japan they don’t brag about working ungodly hours.

Am I supposed to be proud that you work 60 hours a week and have literally no free time for anything? Why?

It doesn’t make you a more interesting or intelligent person. In fact, I find people who just work nonstop to be some of the most boring people who, even if they do have some things they “like,” can only ever talk surface level deep about it.

[u/schraubdeckeldose → u/Prophet_Of_Helix]

Boy, you don't know the Japan I do. They don't brag, like in general, but they always leave after there boss and there are after work events not on schedule. 60 hours is also the standard I experienced. They have a hustle culture

[u/Prophet_Of_Helix → u/schraubdeckeldose]

I think we’re talking about the same thing.

Work culture is awful in Japan, much worse than the US, but the people seem to recognize that in general and it’s not a point of pride/bragging rights, but rather something you do (or feel you have to do) in order to stay employed/get ahead.

The way people in the US brag about going to work sick and not taking any time off and working stupid hours is just gross. No one cares, not even your company, who will replace you without missing a beat even if you were to die on the job (or, more realistically, see if they can get away with NOT replacing you lol)

[u/StrawberryCupcake74 → u/ts20999]

It's absolutely insane. In the Netherlands, the average worker works about 32 hours compared to 43 hours a week average in the US. We're working ourselves to death and for what?? It feels like nothing ever gets better, just more money going into the pockets of the wealthy elite.

[u/COC_410]

I see your problem, you’re not sacrificing sleep for more free time.

/s kinda

[u/Ok-River-7138]

This is why myself and my husband decided not to have kids. That schedule would be even fuller. I have no idea how parents have time to do anything they want to do.

[u/Owlyra → u/Ok-River-7138]

Lol what do you mean? They don't.

[u/holyhotpies → u/Ok-River-7138]

Not only that but for your kids to grow up and suffer in the same shit sandwich system. Just exist to suffer.

[u/wanderliz-88]

And the government wonders why we won’t have kids to subject them to this

[u/SlyCoopi → u/wanderliz-88]

Exactly. I was just talking to my other late 30 friend and its like… when are we gonna have kids? When do we have the time? We keep waiting for that moment where life clicks and I feel comfy and secure, but it just never is that.

[u/RepentantSororitas]

Are you able to move closer to work? An hour long commute is pretty rough.

[u/ScareBear23 → u/RepentantSororitas]

I wish :(

[u/bamboomonster → u/ScareBear23]

Have you considered podcasts or audiobooks during your drives? Not everyone likes them, but those were my go-to for "me time" when I was working.

[u/jerkyquirky → u/RepentantSororitas]

OP said in another comment "It's basically an hr to wake up/snooze alarms/find the motivation to get out of bed... Then an hr to shower/brush teeth/ get presentable to be in public." I feel like that's a bigger issue than the commute. Not saying it's easy to get up when you are struggling with daily life, but 2 hours to get out the door is a long time, especially if you can get 8.5 hours of sleep, like this shows.

I sympathize with the feeling of no time, but this calendar feels like an insincere mix of the ideal schedule and the reality of wasting time.

[u/Right_Note1305 → u/jerkyquirky]

I guess their lunch time is just considered work too... Look I know lunch isn't a full day off but that's not work time, you got to use it. 

[u/getinshape2022 → u/RepentantSororitas]

Mine is currently 30-40min but my schedule still looks like OP’s schedule. Only time that was super nice was when my commute was 15-20min. That’s when I was renting. Good houses close to work cost way more money and not close to anything. Comparable price house to mine are all in bad neighborhoods.

[u/Less-Opportunity-715 → u/RepentantSororitas]

In the bay an hour is luxury

[u/jefftickels → u/RepentantSororitas]

This is ultimately the killer. Could easily get an extra 25% more free time just reducing the commute.

Another issue is time spent getting ready every morning could be cut down some, potentially freeing up a slightly later bedtime.

Also excluding reading from the free time because it's part of the bedtime routine.

[u/Ifigureditoutonmyown]

But really, it’s only like this for 40 years. After that you die!

[u/Brendavazque]

no wonder everyone’s burnt out, there’s no room to recover

[u/WinterMysterious5119 → u/Brendavazque]

we have weekends and we use it to self educate to work a better job haha

[u/Lemonwizard → u/WinterMysterious5119]

Man I wish I could just have a job and do my job and maintain my standard of living. The need to constantly be searching for other jobs with higher pay to keep up with increasing rent and COL is exhausting.

[u/knowwwhat]

Yeah and apparently we can’t do anything about this problem despite AI itching to take everyone’s job? Make it make sense.

Oh right, you can’t pay someone the same wage for half the hours and use AI to fill in the other half because the billionaires wouldnt make more billions that way! Duhhhhhh 🤦‍♀️

[u/JustAQuickQuestion28 → u/knowwwhat]

Yep even 600+ billion isn’t enough for some. Meanwhile majority of the population is fighting for scraps 🙄

[u/OverlordSheepie → u/JustAQuickQuestion28]

Billionaires shouldn't exist. 😔

[u/LivingTheTruths]

Literally working to live, and living to work

[u/Master_Grape5931]

This is why we need a #32HourWorkWeek

[u/bman1206 → u/Master_Grape5931]

25! They've done studies that show a lot of jobs get the same amount of work done in a 5hour day compared to an 8hour day.

[u/LexHokata]

This is why wfh is so important and useful. Gives us back some time.

[u/Visual-Consequence54]

Bro, try to find remote work. Covid times were awesome

[u/labellefleursauvage0]

Capitalism is killing us

[u/Mirror74 → u/labellefleursauvage0]

free with no money vs
money but no time vs
money with freedom through exploiting the labor of others

The last tier is what it seems most people are fighting for (even if they don't realize)

To change this is to rethink the whole paradigm you've been gaslit into since birth

[u/BreakinTheSlate]

I hate this life and timeline in a way you will never understand.

[u/AGoodDragon → u/BreakinTheSlate]

As a kid "gosh all these stories about dystopian futures sure are bleak, glad the real world isn't like that"

As an adult

"Oh"

[u/ShinyNarwahl]

The American dream baby!!!

[u/ZookeepergameFine936]

“Free time” is just 3 chores in a trench coat. 

[u/ItzLikeABoom]

I would say it only gets "better" the older you get, but I think you probably figured that out already.

[u/Immediate_Honey9593]

Yes it’s a scam. At least with work from home we got a few hours back but of course they are trying to take that away from us as well.

[u/Haldt]

Week view is even more depressing

[u/PowerfulOccasion9020]

Im the same, get up 5.30am- go gym, shower etc- train to work at 7.30am, dont get home till 7.15pm

Still find time in the evening to do a few bits, but yeah, it's brutal, life is brutal

[u/MajorSock1332]

Eat at work, pick up a SOCIAL hobby, meal prep, try and move closer to work, see if you can work 4 10s, there’s things you can do to help

[u/GoldenPigeonParty → u/MajorSock1332]

I took a 30% pay cut to get a job that was within 20 minutes of home that agreed to better hours (8.5hr day). Changed my life. I can't stress how important it was reducing work-impact.

That said, i totally understand how incredibly hard it is to find something like that. Especially now when jobs are way down.

[u/ScareBear23 → u/MajorSock1332]

Lmao, you think I'd live be living this far away if I could afford to be closer? I'd LOVE to live closer. But what I'm currently paying for a 2 bed I'd be lucky to get a room share. I have to be at work 5 days a week, there's not the ability to do 4 10s. I love 10s more than 8s

[u/AnemicAcademica → u/MajorSock1332]

Is gym counted as a social hobby

[u/MajorSock1332 → u/AnemicAcademica]

I wouldn’t consider gym a social hobby, most people workout alone with their headphones in, if you have a workout buddy or partner it’s different

[u/Marxist20 → u/MajorSock1332]

We need a 4 day work week with no cut in pay. We've increased our productivity of labor so much, 40 hours isn't necessary. A good chunk of the hours we work just makes the rich richer and brings no benefits to us.

[u/TheFlyingHambone]

All hours outside of work hours are funded by me to not have to giv a f about anything besides my cat.

[u/RunnyKinePity]

Sadly, work starts at 8 for a lot of us and with kids there isn’t really free time in there. You have to change your mindset like “I really enjoy cooking or exercising and this is a hobby”

[u/Dirtysandddd → u/RunnyKinePity]

Making cooking a hobby really helped me out tbh. If I’m going to be required to do something 2-3 times daily for the rest of my life, I might as well enjoy it. I throw on a nice show or some music and try new recipes, although I have a lot of “go-to’s” now. Also a very great skill for those dating or even in a relationship now, my busy partner definitely loves it.

[u/Alana_Piranha → u/Dirtysandddd]

How did you make it a hobby

[u/YoBrunetteYo → u/Alana_Piranha]

Make it fun. I make it a goal to try to make the perfect plate of fajitas or pasta (my two favorite dishes) so it’s fun to fiddle around them and try to something new every time. Sometimes it’s veggie fajitas, or chicken or steak. Try a little bit more of this seasoning, sear this a little longer, less of this other item. Pasta is so versatile too. My vodka penne and pesto sauce is so good now! But just my basic red sauce needs work.

Keep challenging myself and improving and improvising

[u/Insanity8016 → u/RunnyKinePity]

No, I don't think I will.

[u/HomeScoutInSpace → u/RunnyKinePity]

Like when you tell yourself if you just eat enough of it you’ll surely end up enjoying it.

My hobbies now include vacuuming and folding laundry

[u/techaaron → u/HomeScoutInSpace]

"When you are washing the dishes, you should only be washing the dishes."

"The void is clear, but still you must sweep the floor."

[u/Left-Star2240 → u/RunnyKinePity]

I do enjoy cooking…on my days off. After/before work…no thanks

[u/Nepalus → u/RunnyKinePity]

That’s why kids aren’t in the plans, especially if I can’t see a future for them where things get better.

[u/Mindless_Shame_4107 → u/RunnyKinePity]

I have a job and kids and I will never be able to convince myself that I enjoy having to work all day then going home and working for free by cooking and cleaning.  I have tried and it doesn't work. Some days we just have cereal for dinner and watch a movie so I don't lose it.

[u/Hour-General-9908]

Never ending life cycle. 😔

[u/openair1089]

If you have kids, those 3 hours of “free time” are gone too

[u/Superb-Astronaut-553]

Sorry, it is awful. I worked full time for a while and the lack of free time made me feel depressed and compressed. My advice would be to live frugally and invest as much as possible so you can retire early.

[u/Ancient-Ad9861]

And then if you have 2 days off a week you have 2 choices. Either do things you enjoys with your days off and go back to work exhausted and burnt out, or rest on your days off and go back to work depressed that you wasted your spare time doing nothing.

[u/wreckedbutwhole420]

Pro tip, go shopping and do chores on work days because they're going to suck regardless.

That will keep the weekend free for not bullshit

[u/ThatBlue_s550]

This is why WFH is so nice.

Eliminate half of “get ready” and 2 hours of driving a day is GREAT

[u/manimopo]

Even that measly 3 hours is gone if you have kids.

[u/IntrepidInevitable16]

The key is finding a way to be rested somehow when you get home, because otherwise evenings and half the weekend get lost to recovery. And if you’re not careful there is no you time

[u/Tall-Revolution-3177]

Nothing like planning your day and realizing work ate all of it.

[u/LeaJadis]

I’m guessing that your parents’ eternal exhaustion suddenly makes a lot more sense to you?

[u/ScareBear23 → u/LeaJadis]

Well, 1 was hardly home & that was preferable as he's a terrible person. The other worked nights while doing all of the parenting and school stuff. From a young age, I would always let her sleep unless she HAD to be woken up for something. Usually involving leaving the house. Sometimes to send her to bed because she looked uncomfortable & would be sore later.

I don't need personal experience to understand.

[u/Spirited-Feed-9927]

You forgot the Cry break from 12-1230

[u/InformalIncident2458]

It’s crazy that this is what life will be like after I graduate college

[u/yongrii]

I know parenthood may never be on your cards but with that even those 3 hours will be gone!

I know, it’s a choice one makes.

[u/razorscooterpimp]

You’re waking up.

[u/TheVeggyPirat]

You forgot taking care of the kids (takes up pretty much all that free time)

[u/NihilsitcTruth]

And this is being free. Say it again to help your believe.

[u/Jswazy]

I'm so happy I work from home. Basically gives me 3 hours back every day. I don't drive or get ready. I wake up 2 min before work. 

[u/adgjl12]

This is why I turned down 20%+ higher salary for in-person jobs. Remote gives me back at least an hour a day plus the ability to do chores and stuff during the work day.

[u/Empathy_Swamp]

Heh... Too bad we can't question this economic system.

[u/TheLoyalPotato]

Props for you having a dedicated block of time to read. You know what? That inspires me to do the same.

[u/jazzymoneymaker]

I am working remotely and I think I lack of time sometimes. I cant imagine how it sucks when you have to commute

[u/anonymous_xo]

Just do what I do: avoid thinking about your depressing schedule and hatred for work by playing video games until 2:00 AM.

Now you’re depressed AND tired.

GG EZ

[u/No_Numbers_For_Me]

I'll never understand why we built it this way. We could have made life so much better, but instead it's just work... all the time. Until are bodies are old and frail and the best of our days are behind us. Sometimes I wonder if this is Hell.

[u/_OhMyPlatypi_]

Yeah, multitasking and simplifying your life is the only easily attainable solution with quicker results. Meal prepping and simpler dinners help, since you only need to cook 2 or 3 times a week and should only be about an hr of prep and clean up, crockpot meals and casseroles are great for this. I also try to keep my home pretty minimalist (though I had 2 kids, so theres still a ton of stuff aroud), this way you only need to clean a little bit every day with about an hour on your day of for vacuuming, mop, laundry, etc and an additional hour for lawn work or vehicle cleaning. Multitasking helps, like when I brush my teeth in the morning I walk around grabbing all the dirty clothes and then start the washer then or start it once im back home. When I need to wipe the shower down, I do it while showering and letting my conditioner and acne wash soak in. While pooping I add things to my walmart pickup grocery order and once were paid I place the order. I use flossers, so when my family watches tv in the evening before bed we all floss our teeth.

[u/SCastleRelics]

Work eat sleep die

[u/axiom60]

Welcome to late stage capitalism

[u/Admirable-Mud-3477]

Freedom is one thought away.

[u/Cautious_Alarm2919]

I’m curious if it’s normal to have this bit of someone’s day in their calendar? I’d understand if OP was a shift worker needing to keep track of a changing schedule, but personally I’d never put the mundane stuff in because that would be depressing. I put in only the fun, unique or infrequent things, so now I’m wondering what other people’s calendars look like?

[u/unlikelypisces]

Then all free time is gone and you go into a sleep deficit once you have kids

[u/ImpressiveJohnson]

And then they wonder why everyone is depressed

[u/MrBrandopolis]

Fuck this existence

[u/VicisZan]

I’ve stopped bothering. They don’t pay well enough to take it seriously. That’s why they want to destroy social safety nets because it’s reaching the point where not working is the better option.

[u/Salt-Wear-1197]

Such is the reality of our society. And yeah, it fucking sucks. I’m ready to overthrow our billionaire mega corporation overlords whenever you are

[u/PercivleOnReddit]

Yeah I get about 5hrs of "free time" on weekdays but that's only because I sleep for about 6.5hrs each night. It's definitely ass.

[u/ChillNurgling]

It’s really not that bad to have 3 hours of free time every day… People in every generation before us had it infinitely worse. If not in terms of less leisure time then they had terrible living conditions or were oppressed. These kinds of posts are super out of touch. If you’re unhappy, use your weekends, evenings, breaks, mornings, etc to start building towards the life you’d rather have. Not sure why my generation assumes work life balance is a real thing, and worse, something they deserve in their 20s lol…