Finding Purpose in Your 9–5: A Path to a Fulfilling Life
Written on
Chapter 1: Embracing the Journey
Currently, I'm enjoying a beach vacation, just a week away from returning to a monotonous 9–5 that I dread.
I keep reminding myself to savor the moment and not dwell on work, but, as usual, that’s easier said than done.
This morning, I came to the realization that I perceive my 9–5 as a confinement, akin to a prison sentence. Once I clock in, it feels as though I'm trapped, forced to structure my entire day around work.
I often find myself making plans with phrases like, "I have to do this before I return to work," or, "I can't visit that store after I start my job because I won’t have time."
Honestly, it sounds grim and quite depressing.
My mother even remarked, "You’re acting as if your life ends when you go back to work. You can still go out after your job starts. Stop pretending otherwise."
I struggled to shake this mindset until I uncovered the deeper emotions behind it. I now understand that my feelings about this upcoming position are a mix of anxiety and optimism.
Anxiety, because I know I’ll be spending extensive hours on a job I dislike, and I fear it will encroach upon my personal time. Optimism, because there is an end date to this contract, and if I maintain my current focus—writing to express my thoughts and pursuing what I enjoy—I will be one step closer to discovering my next path.
Leveraging Your 9–5 and the Importance of Change
Recently, I came across an insightful article by Michael Lim that emphasized the importance of leveraging your 9–5. His advice particularly resonated: "If you dislike your job, consider finding another 9–5 and start creating on the side."
I had been projecting my experiences from my previous job onto all 9–5s. Since that was my first real job, I felt I needed to escape the 9–5 lifestyle altogether and seek online opportunities to break free from a job I detested.
I now realize that I don’t need to abandon the 9–5 world completely. Instead, I should seek out a different 9–5 that I can tolerate and continue to explore online ventures that ignite my passion.
Every time I publish an article, I experience joy. Knowing that my words might resonate with at least one person is truly energizing and uplifting.
If I can secure a 9–5 job that I enjoy, I can leverage it to alleviate the pressure of needing to earn a specific income from my online endeavors, allowing me to concentrate on producing my best work.
Chapter 2: Setting Boundaries and Seeking Growth
When I graduated college, I envisioned having a "normal" 9–5 job, allowing me to return home and engage in my interests. However, my last job consumed so much of my time and caused immense stress that it spilled over into my personal life, leading to resentment.
With my newfound understanding, I plan to establish boundaries over the next year to prevent overworking myself at my current job, a habit I had struggled with previously, and to focus on personal growth.
I thought my disdain was for 9–5 jobs in general, but I've realized it was merely my last position that I found unbearable. It was overwhelmingly stressful and made me physically unwell at the mere thought of going to work.
Physical signs of stress indicate that it's time to explore other options.
In the future, if I can generate the same income online as I did in my 9–5, I may contemplate leaving that world. However, I must admit there are advantages to using a 9–5 to support my online projects and ventures.
Have you ever thought about escaping the 9–5 life, only to realize it was your job you disliked, not the lifestyle itself?
If you found value in my thoughts, consider subscribing for more articles.
Join me on my quest for a more meaningful existence and rediscovering my passion for writing.
This first video discusses gentle strategies for maximizing joy while navigating a 9-5 job.
In the second video, the creator shares insights on how to cultivate a slow, fulfilling life while managing a 9-5 job.