15th to 17th Century

During this era, the concept of employment was quite different from today. Peasants labored on farms for lords, artisans worked in small groups, and nobles oversaw their estates.

The 18th Century

The 18th century marked a shift from an agricultural society to the Industrial Revolution.

> Workers, including young children (!!!!!), were often required to work 10 to 14 hours a day, six days a week!

The 19th Century

Conditions did not improve in the 19th century. Many industrial workers labored for 12 to 16 hours daily, still maintaining a six-day workweek.

> Working-class men often faced extremely taxing jobs.

By the 1880s, workers began to voice their concerns about these excessive demands.

> The idea of an eight-hour workday emerged and rapidly gained popularity worldwide.

The 20th Century

As the 20th century began, the average workweek gradually decreased from 48 to 40 hours. By the end of the century, this became the norm.

Today

Currently, full-time positions generally require a 40-hour workweek, though flexibility has improved. For instance, in France and the Netherlands, the workweek averages between 35 to 38 hours. In Germany, it’s 35 to 40 hours depending on the sector. Norway maintains a 37.5-hour standard, while Denmark averages around 37 hours. Some Swedish companies are even experimenting with 30 to 35-hour weeks.

> Still, that’s excessive in my opinion.

Have you ever thought that our work hours might influence how we age?

Endless hours of labor, whether in factories or modern offices, sap our life force energy more rapidly than necessary. While we possess abundant energy, it’s crucial to recover between intense energy expenditures.

Although 40-hour workweeks are still prevalent today, they deplete our life energy faster than they should. Yes, we don’t age as quickly as in the 19th century, and yes, we look younger today, but there’s still ample room for improvement.

My Current Self vs. My Matrix Self

I currently prefer not to work excessively. I’ve crafted my own reality, achieving success with less effort. At present, I work about 25 hours a week but aim to reduce that to 5-15 hours, which feels ideal for me.

> When I was trapped in the Matrix, I worked tirelessly.

I held a full-time position with one of Austria’s largest radio stations, often logging 70-hour weeks. I occasionally took days off to work even more, hosting events on weekends to draw in customers. I would entertain for eight hours straight, with hardly a 30-minute break, and restroom visits were a logistical challenge.

My typical week involved marketing and sales from Monday to Thursday, and hosting events from Friday to Sunday. I depleted nearly all my vacation days for this job, accumulating five weeks over four years.

In the end, I took all five weeks off at once during a quiet summer period. This was a pivotal moment where I opted not for a conventional vacation, but rather to pursue yoga teacher training. Over the years, I’ve acquired various certifications, which seemed like a better use of my time.

> Why squander vacation days doing nothing when I can earn another certificate instead?

During my initial 200-hour yoga teacher training in Thailand, I realized I could never revert to my previous routine.

This moment was transformative; I had to reshape my reality! If given the choice (and I am), I want to devote my time to family, travel, boating, camping, exploring new countries, and diving.

We relish cooking and savoring fresh, organic meals together. I enjoy puzzles, music, fitness, singing, and writing when I’m not rushed. I love envisioning new realities during tranquil beach walks.

> Numerous activities nurture my spirit and soul, replenishing my life energy and keeping me looking younger than my peers.

We often overlook our life energy or Qi in our daily lives.

It’s vital to increase our awareness of it; stagnation leads to accelerated aging and a higher likelihood of illness.

> I don’t subscribe to work-life balance or hustle culture; I believe in a life balanced by passion.

It’s all a matter of belief. Can you envision working only 10 hours a week? If so, fantastic! If not, explore why. Jot down your thoughts and revisit them after a day or two. Reflect on your mindset. Why cling to limiting beliefs that drain your Qi over time?

You are powerful; prioritize your well-being, ensure free-flowing Qi, and create your desired reality. That’s the true magic! Magic is real!

You can achieve whatever you desire! I believe in you, so you should too!

Big virtual hugs!

Namasté

Alina

www.alinapitt.com

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