The Joy of 9-5

It wasn’t long ago when I used to see my life lived more intuitively as opposed to routinely. I imagined being free, travelling a lot, exploring cultures, places, and rhythms, to create a life that suited me the most. In that vision of myself, I always equated freedom with not being required anywhere at a specific time. Does that make sense? I thought I would wake up to enjoy nature, leisurely paint, and live a slow, timeless life.

As I write this now, I realise how amazing and fantastic it sounds. But deep down, I know that routine would have been the bane of me.

Today, as I have fixed working hours, days that look the same, and work that doesn’t come with too many surprises, I know one surety. I love routine. I thrive in it. I absolutely enjoy the slow mornings that I can afford, the timely appointments that keep me grounded, the afternoon strolls, the evening soaks, and the quiet end-of-day catch-ups with my mom as we stand in the kitchen or on the stairs. I love how I know what to expect and how my day will end.

This is not to say that this job has no surprises. There are days when I doubt the world and wonder if I’m capable enough to be in this position. There are also days when the stories get heavy and you need to take a break before you even start to process. But I still look at those days with immense gratitude. It is on those days that I feel blessed to have been chosen to do what I do, and to be a space where so much trust and faith are placed.

The image that I once had has now transformed into adventure outside of working hours, mixed with routine. As I move, read, and pamper myself every day in some way or another, I realise that life outside of 9–5 is nothing short of a blessing. And the more I think about it, the more I’m sure that as I have a strict 9–5, the better life before and after those hours becomes.

I now look forward to a vacation where I don’t go to escape; I go to enjoy. I’m not getting away from work; I’m getting back to it, rejuvenated. And yes, this comes to me because I am strict. There are, of course, days where work extends, and then the slow days, but the sanctity of the routine can only be felt by those who respect those hours. So if your hours extend way beyond your capacity, know that this is not something that will work for you.

The ease of this life is something I recognised, almost subconsciously. It is something I dreamt of, which looked different—more fantastical—but the feeling is the same, if not more potent. I’ve realised that the excitement of the day is still there, but there’s no uncontrollable excitement of adventure that I thought I would want. My system now loves the stillness and gets excited by it.

And I know that this is not the experience of every 9–5er, but it is definitely worth a pause. A pause to see how much you are giving and receiving, and how much more there is that you want.

So if you are in a 9–5 routine, pause and breathe. Observe and know that this routine is a comfort and a responsibility. When one learns to be mindful of the responsibility, the comfort and bliss will surely follow.