What a way to make a living

The way we work today is unsustainable, I think that’s something we can all see pretty clearly. But often we don’t dig into why, specifically, it’s become so unsustainable.

This has been rumbling around in my head for some time; my initial thoughts were around how it’s no longer economically feasible for the average couple or family to have one permanent stay at home person, and one person out there bringing home the bacon.

That means that, after one or both earners get home from work, the ‘second shift’ starts.

Arlie Hochschild, author of ‘The Second Shift’ talks about her research here in 2016. Have we seen positive or negative progress since then?

Sometimes the second shift is also referred to as the ‘5 to 9 after the 9 to 5’ (or even the 5 to 9 before the 9 to 5 if you’re a TikTok productivity influencer).

But we don’t really have 9 to 5 jobs anymore. If your 9 to 5 is actually 8 to 6.30 or later, then your ‘5 to 9’ is ‘7 to 9’ or, more likely, ‘7 to midnight’.

Whichever way you slice it, the more time you spend working, the less time you have to tend to your and your family’s life.

Our time is being squeezed from all sides. But the option to take a load off and work less just isn’t there.

Something’s got to give.

Featured image borrowed from Etsy seller Shift of Wit. I’m not affiliated in any way with this Etsy seller, but if you want to buy this mug the link is here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1276114475/cup-of-ambition-mug-11oz