I have to say I feel like I've been fortunate. I work part time as a community college tutor and usually teach about one class per semester. I'm also a musician who maintains a handful of private students and gigs regularly. I share a house with my father that has already been paid for. There are some weeks where I very well may work 40 hours or more, once commuting to and from gigs are counted, but the average for me is 25-30. With my college job, my hours are greatly reduced in the Summer, and I can pretty much take time off when I want to.
Even still, there are weeks where I get tired and I'm thankful that I usually have a three day weekend or weeks off in the Summer to rest or catch up on practicing and other work. It's a far cry from people that have to work a job where you go in at 8:00 Monday-Friday and don't leave until 5:00…I had a full time job for about a 3 month period (it was actually 39 hours per week since the place closed at 4:00 on Fridays) and I absolutely hated. I felt exhausted and that I had no time. Sure, I made more money but at what cost? And the job I had, I maybe only had 10-15 hours of actual “work” per week. The rest is just being there.
I know this sub relates but for me it not just simply “being paid more.” It is having enough work-life balance to where you don't feel exhausted every week and can count on time off throughout the year to recharge. I honestly don't know how long I can continue with the work/career arrangement I currently have, but I'm going to hold on to it for dear life.