Transitioning from academia to full-time employment can be a daunting journey. For many, it represents a significant shift in lifestyle and expectations. You can no longer hit the snooze button on a lecture or catch up on missed lessons via podcasts. Your days aren’t marked by the flexibility of student life, where lunchtime pints with friends can be spontaneous and regular. Instead, the 9-to-5 world of work introduces structured routines, early morning commutes, and the need to be punctual – no matter how late you were out the night before.
Ah, adult life, has a way of waking us up to a new reality.
Brielle, a young woman who recently found herself in the midst of this transition, shared her experience on TikTok, prompting a wave of emotional reactions from viewers. In the heartfelt video, titled “QOTD in a 9-5 how do you have time for ur life?”, Brielle talks about her struggles while adjusting to her new role in the working world.
Tears stream down her face as she openly shares her emotions with the camera. “I know I’m probably just being dramatic and annoying,” she says, “but this is my first job, like my first 9-to-5 job out of college.”
“It takes a hell of an eternity to get there when I travel personally across town.
Living in the city is out of the question for me at the moment because I can’t afford it.’
Brielle adds that she has to take the train at 7:30 and arrive home no later than 6:15 to make it to work on time.
At that moment he says that he ‘doesn’t have time to do anything!’
“I want to shower, eat dinner, and go to bed,” she said. “I also lack the energy and time to make dinner. I don’t have the energy to exercise, so that’s pretty much out the window.”
The TikToker made it clear that her issues weren’t with her work per se; rather, they had to work in an office and a lengthy commute that kept them away from home for more than an hour after their shift ended.
“If it was remote, you get off at 5 and you’re home and everything’s fine,” he explains.
“I realize things could be worse. I realize I may be working longer hours, but when I actually leave work, it’s pitch black outside. How are your friends? How can you meet a guy in your spare time? Do you find time on a date? I’m so stressed and I don’t have time for anything.”
Many other TikTokers supported Brielle in the comments section of the video.
“The 40-hour work week is outdated and your sentiments are completely valid,” the commenter said.
Another person commented: “It was at that moment that I realized this is what I really wanted to grow up to do. lead a life like this?”
But several trolls attacked Brielle in the comments section of the video, calling her “weak” for having trouble adjusting to her new job.
“Welcome to life poor privileged child,” wrote one user. Others do it. Adapt to it. It’s fine for the rest of us, right?
Another was advised to “get your ass off your lazy ass.”
But Brielle stuck to her guns about her working life, telling The Independent that social norms have to change despite the backlash.
“I want to be able to explain to the next generation why productivity doesn’t require a 40-hour work week in addition to commuting,” she said.
“I appreciate all the positive comments from other compassionate workers and hope that more companies will consider following the steps of other countries regarding the working week, especially after so many people have become accustomed to being remote after Covid.”
Brielle’s story has sparked conversations about the future of work and the expectations of the modern workforce. It encourages us to envision a world where productivity and personal well-being are not in conflict, but rather in harmonious coexistence, enabling individuals to lead more balanced and meaningful lives.
While Brielle’s journey may be marked by tears and challenges, it is also one of self-discovery, resilience, and finding a more balanced and fulfilling life. Her story reminds us that fostering a work environment that prioritizes the well-being and work-life balance of its employees is not just an individual effort, but a collective desire.
In conclusion, Brielle’s story challenges us to rethink the conventions of work and challenges us to imagine a future where productivity and personal well-being can coexist harmoniously, allowing individuals to lead more balanced and meaningful lives. It serves as a reminder that in the evolving work environment, the pursuit of a fulfilling life remains a goal worth striving for, even if the path is paved with challenges and tears.