how do y’all cope working non stop until your retirement?

I feel so exhausted already I have no idea how y’all do it for 5 days a week maybe even more. I know the money from work is important esp in a place like sg but just pure grit? how do y’all do this

I really can’t see myself doing this for the next 50-60 years of my life without developing some sort of issue or breaking down literally

Focus happiness outside of work

I focus my happiness on things other than work. For me as long as the workplace isn’t toxic and I can earn enough to fund my hobbies, that’s enough.

I’m exhausted too but I’m lucky enough to be able to “switch off” after work and only work during office hours. So the rest of the hours is all for me (single..heh)

So I guess TLDR, hobbies and “me time” do more than enough to get me through life (I have zero ambition)

No work outside working hours

I used to work 50-60 hour work weeks. Looking back I can’t even remember what drove me, probably financial security.

It was only after a family member passed this year when I really reevaluated my life, its purpose and my why.

My partner and I have since agreed to have very clear boundaries with work. No more night calls and meetings outside working hours, unless something is on fire, at the expense of family time. Refusing to take work calls or emails while on leave also gives me mini resets.

I also let go of previously formed beliefs like having to upgrade our HDB once it MOPs. We honestly do not need to unless we have children and even then we can buy a cheaper resale flat in a non mature estate. This mindset shift let me do the above without worrying I would be passed on for promotions.

Mentally get out of the rat race

For me it happened once I mentally got out of the rat race. I just think: there is endless work. I don’t need that much money to be happy. I don’t need to fake a Mercedes on Instagram to prove how long my dick is.

My peers with nicer pay checks or branded companies might have money, but they have no partner or life or have kids but outsource everything to Fatima or Anita. They essentially become rich, tired kids who made a kid who is raised by an Indonesian mom who’s trying to earn money to raise her own kids. Or they are so exhausted with work they spend all their time and money on games and porn to de-stress. There is no meaning to this life.

I’m happy earning this amount, I don’t need this and that. I won’t be around forever to enjoy my hobbies, spend time with my family. And I just focus on these.

And then I bring my 2 year old to the park, enjoy the times we giggle at butterflies, share an ice cream (99% me, 1% her, totally fair) and just watch her jump and hop with joy as we go to her favourite parts of the park safari. All this costs $0 and yet has a value far exceeding a $40,000 a month job.

Be content.