It's been a while.
Work has been nightmarish. I find dealing with the inpatient cases virtually an impossible task. And I'm still praying hard for a relief from this difficulty.
Behind the nightmare though, I have learnt to reflect on this lifestyle that I've been thrust into -- this crazy, capitalist, slogging system that's made me feel more like a machine than a human being.
And I have decided on a few goals, one of which is:
to make a 3-day work week a reality in a few years' time. Regardless of my marital status, the number of children I have or not, I am quitting this nutty system, and will strive to live by my own terms; for my sanity, for my health and psychological well-being, and for my social, intellectual and spiritual growth. I have decided a life that has me only seeing the night sky when I'm in my house has no value -- I find I cannot read, I cannot further my understanding of the numerous mysteries of this world, I cannot learn what is truly of value to me, and I cannot really enjoy social relationships. It appears that to keep subscribing to this hamster-wheel of a system, one must cease to be a thinking person, and feel satisfied with the mundanity of everyday drudge. And I have been feeling like a suffocated creature over this past year.
So, a 3-day work week is an attempt to take more control of my life. I cannot live shackled to the capitalist system; either I exit, or it kills me, I feel -- sorry for being melodramatic.
And it's not like I'm the first person to declare quits -- I actually feel it's a rising trend; I've heard stories of young families (with children, mind you!), whose only breadwinner is the husband who works only ~3 days in the week, and makes quality of life a priority. And the couple goes for coffee dates on weekday afternoons?! What the frak. Kill me now, I want a life like that right this instant if possible. And no, they are not business tycoons who lord over their employees and are actually earning big bucks -- they are educated, typical Singaporeans with run-of-the-mill careers (i.e. teachers, behavioural therapists) who have decided to value life more than the race. And if it's me, I will homeschool my kids, damn it, because I want them to learn to cherish life too.
It is possible, some day, if not right this minute (because of my bond). And oh God, help me make it happen. I want to live serving You, not this bloody economic system.
See? -- other more prominent persons have been proposing similar ideas:
While feeling in control and working fewer hours may seem like distinct issues, they are fundamentally connected. When we own more of our time, we feel like we’re in charge of our lives and our schedules, which makes us happier and, ultimately, better at what we do. Our health and happiness also increases in the course of our lifetimes and, with it, our value to the workplace and to society as a whole. Additionally, we may finally recover from chronic sleep deprivation, which is one of the greatest health hazards currently facing the average employee. Sleep quality, in turn, translates to better cognition, clearer thinking, and increased productivity. Instead of the usual vicious circle, we get a virtuous one.
