Is Rest Now A Luxury?

Do I relax or do I work?

After a long day at work, the only thought on your mind during the drive home may be, “I can’t wait to see what my friends are up to.” A few years ago, you would carve out time to call a friend and catch up while tackling household chores. Nowadays, who has the energy for a phone call after an exhausting day at the office? Social media has taken the front seat as our new best friend. We often scroll through our feeds and unwind in bed, allowing us to relax. Plus, our best friend shares all the details of her day on Instagram stories—why bother with a phone call when I can simply respond to her posts?

On social media, I can binge-watch my favorite creators and chat with friends simultaneously, all while avoiding direct conversation and enjoying a satisfying dopamine rush. But wait... as you scroll through your feed, a notification from your bank catches your eye: yet another overdraft on your account. You find yourself unable to pay your bills, all while toiling away at what feels like an endless 9-to-5 job.. A wave of guilt sweeps over you, making you question your choices. What am I doing on my phone when I should be using my last few hours of leisure to find ways to earn extra money?

Do i relax or do i work? Can we talk about productivity in this economy? It feels like a real struggle! The cost of living keeps rising, and the days seem to vanish before our eyes. With the typical work week for most Americans consisting of five days and eight-hour shifts, finding time for anything beyond work can feel overwhelming.

In 2025's economic climate, many are facing layoffs and resorting to side hustles due to the widening gap between living costs and minimum wage. It leaves many wondering: what options do i have?

Balance is Essential

You have to learn how to put yourself first. Most people are starting to realize that the “ American dream” isn’t a reality and just may be a dream indeed. Finding your own bit of truth is going to be critical for your own mental health and well being. Although we might not be able to change what happening outside of us one thing we do have the power to do is to change how we choose to live our life. You don’t owe any job complete loyalty. Do what makes you happy. Clarify your aspirations and desires for your life. Set specific goals for yourself. While it may not be easy, establishing a solid morning and evening routine can significantly impact your success in achieving those goals.

Finding a Way Through

So what’s the solution? Honestly, there’s no silver bullet. But there are ways to fight back.

• Boundaries: Put your phone in another room. Use app blockers. Create little digital fences.

• Time boxing: Give yourself short bursts of focused time with breaks in between. The Pomodoro method is popular for a reason.

• Rituals: Start your work with a consistent routine. Cue your brain that it’s go-time.

• Forgiveness: Accept that you’re human. You’ll get distracted. You’ll have off days. What matters is coming back.

The Work Never Stops

Regardless of your aspirations, achieving them will require effort. Throughout history, there has never been a time when individuals could reach their goals without putting in hard work. It's a valid question to ponder: “Will I ever attain a state of leisure where I don’t need to work hard in this society?” The answer ultimately rests in your hands. If you weren’t born with a silver spoon, it’s likely that you’ll need to put in significant effort to enjoy the rewards later.

But babe let’s also be honest, Choosing between rest and work is an unfair dilemma, and it could even be considered inhumane, but don’t lose hope. Remember that you are the creator of your own destiny.

Never let doubts and frustration weigh you down. Remember, you are not a tree; YOU CAN MOVE! Create a plan and work towards it every day. If your dream is to one day own land and enjoy the simple pleasure of deciding which garden to frolic in, even that lifestyle necessitates some form of planning.

You’re Not Alone

If you’ve ever stared at a blinking cursor while doom-scrolling on your phone, know this: you’re not alone. Millions of us are trying to do meaningful work in a world that constantly begs us to look away.

But maybe that’s the new kind of productivity—not perfection, not hustle-at-all-costs, but showing up every day, trying again, and carving out small pockets of focus in a loud, messy world.

It’s not easy. But it’s worth it.