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Ask HN: Work/life balance – Significant other complains you work too much?

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Re: Ask HN: Work/life balance – Significant other complains you work too much?

#51

Listening to them deeply and finding out their core frustrations is key, just like how you would interact with a user to discover their pain points. In my experience, when my partner claims I work too much it isn't always because I literally work too much. Of course, sometimes my work/life balance needs to be readjusted and brought back to an acceptable equilibrium. However, the frustration often comes from not conve…

You can only really give meta-advice in this situation, and that's a good start.

Having read the Love Languages book a while back, I'd point out that soupajoe's summary there at the end of his post is probably a good 95% of the value of the book. The book, IIRC, also suggests the idea that people have a "primary" language, and this is AIUI contested and in my opinion likely to be pop-sci nonsense. My wife scores highly on everything except gifts, which she thinks she likes in the abstract but tends to not really be that impressed when they manifest in the concrete. I suspect that many people have varying profiles that often resist being able to call one "primary", but the real point here is that it gives you a good set of five things to think about, discuss with your partner, and try out. (Because you have to bear in mind that humans are shockingly bad at guessing what will make them happy. That's a general rule, not a relationship rule. In particular that implies that you should not abandon one of the types until you have tried it, pretty much regardless of what your partner says. And, mutatis mutandis, regardless of what you say your partner should, ideally, try it anyhow to see how it goes.)

As another example, consider the idea that some people generally want to have their problems heard but don't want them "solved" in the conversation [1]. Regardless of whether or how true it may be in general, it again gives you a dimension to think about, consider with your partner, and experiment with, because in the end, everybody is their own person. My wife would clock in somewhere around 80/20; 80% she's just expressing herself and not looking for solutions, but maybe a fifth of the time she's at least open to thoughtful suggestions (as if nothing else it shows I'm fully engaged). Your mileage will vary.

And so on; rather than necessarily taking anyone's advice here directly, consider it a possible dimension to explore with your partner. With everything mentioned here you've probably got a good set of things to consider.

Further, for all of these things, you'll want to work out not only your partner's preferences, but your own, and some may surprise you even though you've lived with yourself for your entire life. Know thyself has been good advice for a very long time.

Re: Ask HN: Work/life balance – Significant other complains you work too much?

#52
post #4

Part of a successful relationship is having compatible goals in life. There is no correct answer to how much work is too much. Some people want to never work and spend all day on the beach. Others think the beach is boring and would much rather be creating something. Most people are the middle. If your girlfriend thinks you work too much, you probably either need to work less or get a new girlfriend. One thing that i…

This kind of black and white thinking is just going to cause you to lose your girlfriend. If there's a happy medium, take it.

Your comment is totally reasonable and I'm certainly not suggesting dropping someone the first time compromise is required.

But I don't see why there needs to be so much emphasis on couples staying together. The OP doesn't say, and it is certainly possible that I am making incorrect assumptions, but it sounds like they are young and don't have children together. (no one over 30 would say "gf", right??)

So who cares? If they are meant to be, the work/life balance won't be a big issue. If they are incompatible, better to find out now, before they are older and DO have kids.

I want to add that the readers of this site probably put way more time into work (and work-related activities) than the typical person. If your significant other expects work to be 9-5, you should probably disappoint them sooner rather than later.

Re: Ask HN: Work/life balance – Significant other complains you work too much?

#53
post #9

> what would you do when your gf/bf/wife/husband complains about it? When my wife complains about it, I just listen. She's also a working professional who works a ton more than I do so it's usually a red flag if she brings it up. A lot of times it's not about coming up with a resolution but just trying to understand what she is frustrated with. > So how do you handle this balance? When I first started working remote…

This is all great advice. The key (over time) is in working more efficiently and productively, not working more hours.

Re: Ask HN: Work/life balance – Significant other complains you work too much?

#54

Imagine yourself having reached the 'success' you are currently pursuing. Imagine how much you will have to sacrifice in order to reach it. It certainly gives a thrill reaching the goals you set in you life. But there is one big question you have to ask yourself: what will you do after you have reached your success? Do you think you will be different? Do you think you will be happier? I can give you the answer: after…

You brought a very good point. Thank you.

Re: Ask HN: Work/life balance – Significant other complains you work too much?

#55

Listening to them deeply and finding out their core frustrations is key, just like how you would interact with a user to discover their pain points. In my experience, when my partner claims I work too much it isn't always because I literally work too much. Of course, sometimes my work/life balance needs to be readjusted and brought back to an acceptable equilibrium. However, the frustration often comes from not conve…

Great references, I'll definitely read. Thank you.

Re: Ask HN: Work/life balance – Significant other complains you work too much?

#56
post #9

> what would you do when your gf/bf/wife/husband complains about it? When my wife complains about it, I just listen. She's also a working professional who works a ton more than I do so it's usually a red flag if she brings it up. A lot of times it's not about coming up with a resolution but just trying to understand what she is frustrated with. > So how do you handle this balance? When I first started working remote…

Your advices are constructive and practical. They're great. Thank you.

Re: Ask HN: Work/life balance – Significant other complains you work too much?

#58
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Children must come before work. It's really fucking simple. This principle is enshrined in the internationally agreed... I read through that Convention, but didn't see any language that backs up your claim. Perhaps I missed it. Can you tell me which part and which article establishes the principle that you claim it does?

In the pre-amble "Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding," And Article 3, section 1: "1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best in…

Article 3, section 1 has no bearing on the actions of the individual. Notice that the language that targets institutions and governments.

The preamble speaks only of the environment that a child should be placed in. If it is necessary that both parents work 120 hours per week to provide such an environment for their children, then that is behavior that is supported by that Convention.

Re: Ask HN: Work/life balance – Significant other complains you work too much?

#59

First, I wouldn't get relationship advice from HN, or any pool of nerds. There's a reason our relationships suffer or are few and far between: nerd personalities will spend more time coding at work, trying to build a side project, watch TV or play games than being a healthy, balanced human being. I work 40 hours a week. If I have work shit poking into my life beyond that on a regular basis, it's time to talk to my ma…

I disagree. I would rather say: Do whatever you want to do. If you wanna code all day, just do it! This is freedom! So if you wanna work all day, find a way around your gf's complaints. If you think your gf is pushing too much then probably she isn't for you. Sometimes I have the same problem and I try to be very straight: I always worked so much!

In the end you can't have both. If you work all the time your interpersonal relationships with suffer. The original post is asking for advice in a situation where he is unable to spend enough time away from work and appears to want to keep a lady friend.

Re: Ask HN: Work/life balance – Significant other complains you work too much?

#60

You should have in mind that the time you spend on your startup is not linearly correlated to its success.

Interesting. I never thought it this way. They're still correlated though right?

Definitely correlated! And the function must be different in each case, but I'd bet it's never linear :)
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