Hi,
TLDR; I feel like i can get more out of life working 4 days instead of 5, has anyone taken this step and can you tell me your experience? How do i approach this with the manager of the company?
I'm a 26 y/o male from NL working as Engineer, graduated at 21 y/o and been working fulltime since. Lately i i'm getting these thoughts that i'm not 'living' enough and want to experience more in life. I feel i'm not getting enough time to enjoy the things I like to do, such as making music and city trip visiting musea.
Work + taking care of myself and my appartment sucks up alot of time and energy. When i get home from work, I cook and clean etc, and when i finally have time for myself to do things i like, i feel I don't have the energy or motivation left to actually do something with the time i have. Even friday night and in the weekend i feel my energy is low, where during study i would visit a party or rave i now sometimes stay home and go to bed at 12pm.
This is the thought that bothers me the most, the possibility that my energy throughout the week just gets drained by work and the free time i just spend recharging instead of enjoying life.
Some things about my situation
- Money is not an issue, 4 days would still get me enough income to live my life as is
- I find it diffecult to start a conversation about this with the manager. He's the ultimate working culture guy sending emails at 5am or 11pm on saturday and sunday. Always last out of office and his family always calls him complaining to get home
- I don't even know if this is the solution to my thoughts about getting more out of life, and this bothers me because i don't see it as an easy thing to ask for less work. This might not be the solution at all, but there is no way to know unless i try i guess…
- Other thoughts play a role too, such as 'this way i won't easily save up money to buy a house'. 'What will future employers think of this', etc.
If anyone has experienced something similar i'd love to hear your story, thank you 🙂