Thinking about work even at weekends

@Amelia00254

Hi 😊 I think you have touched a lot of important subjects here:

First, it's good to hear you found a job that is matching your education and qualifications 👍 

Of course, having a job—especially your first one—is a big game-changer, resulting in both pros (like gaining more faith in yourself and financial independence) and cons (like less time for your hobbies). And certainly results in the need of making some adjustments.

It's good you appreciate your job and do your best to stay there. But also I think it could be long-term wise to not let your job be eating you (instead of you eating your lunches!).

I understand your mother may feel not very appreciated when you bring home the food she carefully prepared for you with love. And I think she might be worried about you.

It's quite natural that your new tasks and your area of responsibilities may feel overwhelming, in particular at the beginning.

But how would you feel about taking some basic self-care steps?

If you work hard, having a well-deserved break is essential. Even if you cannot afford a full lunch break, how about just having a snack and some coffee?

It's not a waste, it's an investment: because breaks make you work more efficiently and may give you some fresher perspective on what you are expected to do.

And whenever you work overtime, I believe having a full lunch break is non-negotiable. There are no awards or medals for the workers who starved themselves to death or hospitalisation...

Last but not least, most of the jobs (especially most office jobs) include some kind of work that brings actually nothing to the final result. I've heard English native speakers call it a donkey work...

So, I think it is all about prioritising: some tasks are crucial and very important (especially those connected with legal matters, finances or safety)—and never turn your back on those. But there is also a rash of other tasks: non-solvable problems lingering for weeks or months, unnecessary procedures, or things of such a low priority that they _can_ wait.

From my experience as a white collar, there is often no chance ALL work is done. There is always some backlog. There are always some stick-it notes or documents piling up on your desk. Because that's the way the system works.

And I believe being unable to do all the work at the same time is not laziness. It's about protecting your both physical and mental health, and preserving your human dignity.

To not think about your job when you at home, it might be useful to make some kind of passage routine, like "When I close the office doors, I stop thinking about job" or "When I take a shower at home, I rinse the toil and moil of my job off me".

Hi Amelia 🌟

First of all, I want to tell you that what you're feeling is completely normal, especially since you're still new to the work environment. You're currently in a growth phase, where you're learning and developing new skills—most importantly, time management and adapting to workplace pressure.

Regarding the never-ending tasks, I highly suggest talking to your supervisor. Ask for guidance on how to organize your tasks effectively, and check whether you're on the right track or if you might need to take some skill-building courses to help you work smarter, not harder.

Also, taking breaks during your shift isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Your body and mind need a moment to rest so you don’t burn out.

Balancing work and life is essential. Be firm about drawing a line between work and personal life. What happens at work should stay at work. And when you’re home, that time is for your hobbies, your family, and your well-being.

Always remember: life is short, but work never ends. 🌱