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Why I hate the weekends (2017)

cdahmedeh.net

271–280 of 353 posts

Re: Why I hate the weekends (2017)

#271
post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Where is the cut off for not being able to complain or is it like a spectrum? Wherever the cut-off happens to be, software developers are far past it.

That's absurd. I've worked in call centers, as a mover, and as a software engineer. There are perfectly valid reasons to complain across the spectrum. Worker rights are not some limited good that only need to go to the most vulnerable, and even white collar workers should be aware and proactive about fighting for better treatment in the workplace. Being well paid has not prevented me from seeing egregious workplace i…

Sure, worker rights shouldn't be limited to tge most vulnerable. This post however wasn't about work ethics, but about having too little time for yourself if you are working 40hrs/week. It's actually not even about work/life balance, but rather work/chores/hobbies balance. In my opinion you can't blame the 40hours of work.

Re: Why I hate the weekends (2017)

#272

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t have any talents for regularity (diagnosed adult ADD), but I work 100% remotely for the last few years, and I was never happier. Office environment is a strain for people like me.

And is remote work almost free of problems or is it more a case of so much benefits that even the few problems are barely worrying ?

There are different problems. I have to overcome procrastination, sure, and regular meetings are a strain, but if I want to work at nights, I can. If I want to go for a walk and think, I can. The balance is much better.

Re: Why I hate the weekends (2017)

#273
post #27
post #9

This resonates with me. I love my work, I really like what I do, I think it's mentally challenging, interesting, and important for our world and civilization and I believe I'm compensated well enough. But it's tiring ok? And all I can ever do on weekends is lying on my bed watching netflix. I work 9 to 6 and work out intensely for 2 hours every week day. By the time it's saturday I'm both physically and mentally exha…

You should definitely see a therapist, you sound clinically depressed. Laying in bed all weekend is not healthy. Making friends and having lasting relationships takes effort but is a requirement to have a happy and fulfilling life (excluding total hermits who are perfectly happy ignoring family, friends, and social contact, and some of those people do exist on HN and will argue with this comment). You have a career,…

"Requirement" is too strong a word. We've all read the Harvard 75 years old study [0] probably here, cause it was posted couple of times on HN, but I for one side with Chamfort: "Happiness is very difficult to find in yourself, but impossible to find someplace else"

I've felt this way all my life, even before I read Chamfort. I always valued quality relationships with people, not just any relationship with anyone. To me, being alone is much better than being in the wrong company.

It's very hard to find good, well-mannered people with moral integrity. At least it is for me. And based on everything I see around me, those people are just rare. Most people tolerate each other, instead of actively wanting to be friends/whatever with each other. I don't fully understand why that is. But is just is. I'm curious to see other's thoughts on this subject, though.

[0] - https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2016/03...

Re: Why I hate the weekends (2017)

#274
post #27
post #9

This resonates with me. I love my work, I really like what I do, I think it's mentally challenging, interesting, and important for our world and civilization and I believe I'm compensated well enough. But it's tiring ok? And all I can ever do on weekends is lying on my bed watching netflix. I work 9 to 6 and work out intensely for 2 hours every week day. By the time it's saturday I'm both physically and mentally exha…

You should definitely see a therapist, you sound clinically depressed. Laying in bed all weekend is not healthy. Making friends and having lasting relationships takes effort but is a requirement to have a happy and fulfilling life (excluding total hermits who are perfectly happy ignoring family, friends, and social contact, and some of those people do exist on HN and will argue with this comment). You have a career,…

He (or she) does not sound clinically depressed at all! They are excited about life and work. Wanting to relax and spend some alone time on the weekend is not depression. May be lonely, and probably not healthy in the long term, but not depressed. Depression is primarily characterized by hopelessness and despair.

Re: Why I hate the weekends (2017)

#275

Earlier quoted context omitted.

2 hours/day at 100% intensity is a lot, but I have found doing something physical everyday to be key to mental health, sleeping better, and general well being. Very people go 100% even when they go to the gym 3x/week, so I don't want others reading this thinking that is all they need. In fact, people will be surprised what the body can do (go read up on ultra-marathoners, etc...). Few regular gym goers are even close…

Working out for 40 minute high intensity sessions (making every minute count) 3 times a week is enough to become buff as hell. You need adequate resting time as well. The rule is if it doesn't ache for a couple days after, you need to go harder/heavier. Sounds like he's not making the most of his workouts. You can actually do a full body workout with just 5 compound exercises: https://stronglifts.com/5x5/ and believe…

The rule is if it doesn't ache for a couple days after, you need to go harder/heavier.

Which is why I'll never, ever actually work out. Seriously, not only do I hate the time spent getting most activity, but now you are telling me I'm supposed to hurt for days afterwards? No, thank you. Not without being under the direct supervision of medical professionals who tell me I really need this sort of pain.

Re: Why I hate the weekends (2017)

#276

Earlier quoted context omitted.

2 hours/day at 100% intensity is a lot, but I have found doing something physical everyday to be key to mental health, sleeping better, and general well being. Very people go 100% even when they go to the gym 3x/week, so I don't want others reading this thinking that is all they need. In fact, people will be surprised what the body can do (go read up on ultra-marathoners, etc...). Few regular gym goers are even close…

My gym is filled with people half-assing it(not even half really), sitting on equipment playing with their phones, or just generally doing it wrong. Those people aren't going to get the message no matter what. You either want it or you don't. I mean want it. "Want" is a funny word. My ex "wanted" everything but never put any effort into anything. That's not "want". "Want" is a desire strong enough to drive actions. I…

You are seriously looking down on the folks with their phones? How else are folks supposed to overcome the absolute drudgery and hate they have for the activity they are doing? I'd argue these folks are more motivated than the folks like you: Regardless for their hate for the activity, they are still doing it.

It is the same reason I have headphones with some sort of entertainment when I walk or use treadmills. The same reason my spouse reads while on the stationary bike. These activities are an absolutely dreadful way to spend time. Especially when one could be home making artwork or music or devoting time to cooking something creative or even watching silly videos.

Re: Why I hate the weekends (2017)

#277
post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I wouldn't be surprised if I died alone. Everyone eventually dies alone, but do not let that sadden you. A full life is measured in the depths of sorrow from that truth, not in avoiding it.

Have you ever watched someone die? Dying is terrible, but there is definitely a difference between being surrounded by loved ones and being all alone or among strangers. "Everyone dies alone" is one of those things that is sort of technically correct, but has absolutely nothing to do with what people mean when they talk about dying alone.

Dying is terrible, but there is definitely a difference between being surrounded by loved ones and being all alone or among strangers.

I don't know, dude. My dad died, but I'm not even sure he knew we were around him. He had been in a coma after a stroke for a couple of weeks at that point. The same goes for folks that just die in their sleep - I'm not sure it matters. I hope they weren't actually lonely, but I wish that for lots of folks.

Re: Why I hate the weekends (2017)

#278

What I don't understand here: Why can't we just work less ? I know it's not trivial, but it can't be impossible either. I doubt he would starve if he got a part-time dev job (are those easy to find? I have no idea). I agree wholeheartedly with all that he said. I think a life of work-home-work without breathing is almost meaningless unless you can have possibly unreasonable amounts of fun and freedom in the job (few…

The biggest reason is because bosses don’t want us to. They want to make as much money as possible, and that’s about it really. The good news is we have made progress, through mass action, people have won the right to weekends, fewer hours and other rights. The final battle is one to win control of the workplace itself, a self-managed and owned workplace.

I convinced my boss to let me work less days per week. 4 to be precise. It was a very very rare exception open just for me and because I was a well regarded dev 2+ years in the team. Since then, I had interviews with companies and recruiters and there simply isn't any offers for reduced week loads. Companies have fixed costs in hiring you, I guess, and want to suck you dry ASAP.

Re: Why I hate the weekends (2017)

#279
My dad had real weekends. No grocery shopping, no laundry or other chores. He got stuff done, but he didn't have to do it and most weekends he truly relaxed.

How did he manage this? He had a wife. She did the chores during the week while he worked.

Now that women have been told that they should work they do, even if they're not particularly good at it. And now we don't have weekends. We are single people working full time to support ourselves and we're completely trapped by it. What a tragedy.

Re: Why I hate the weekends (2017)

#280
post #131

What I don't understand here: Why can't we just work less ? I know it's not trivial, but it can't be impossible either. I doubt he would starve if he got a part-time dev job (are those easy to find? I have no idea). I agree wholeheartedly with all that he said. I think a life of work-home-work without breathing is almost meaningless unless you can have possibly unreasonable amounts of fun and freedom in the job (few…

I’ve worked both 3 and 4 day weeks (at 8 hours a day), and it was always really great, but it made me feel I was missing so many things in the workplace, I’m now not particularly bothered by working 5 days. But if you want to do a lot of things beside work, 3 days is best. It’s also a bit dependent on life situation. When I left university I was perfectly good with 3/5ths salary, but now with a family to support that…

I felt the same about 3 days and then asked to work 4 days again, which by boss was happy to grant me. But for me 4 days is the sweet spot.
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