My friend and I were discussing our life activities and ofcourse work came into the picture. The main issues is not the long hours, it’s the stressful part.

We can’t deny that work plays a huge role in our lives, I on average spend 9 hours at my job on work days, not counting the overtime nor the weekend.

As the clock ticks away, I accumulate energy that I need to release, depends on the type of energy, the activities after work is defined.

If you have a stressful job, then the resultant energy is in a negative form.

• You want to spend time alone. Not in the mood for social gathering and interacting with people. You’re already annoyed and packed with negative energy that clearly shows on your face and your body language.
• Seeking extensive physical work to release this energy. Whether be it, hard full of sweating and running around workout, a nice swim in the pool alone or the inescapable stuffing your face with junk food
• It’s easier to hang out with familiar faces, to bitch to until calmness settles in. That being said, you understand why it’s tougher meeting new people. You’ll scare them away with your te7el6om
• Postponing all the time. Personal dreams and interests always get pushed back, so slowly all the focus becomes work, stressing you even more.

If you have a normal steady reasonable stress level job, then the resultant energy is positive

• You come home energized and you look forward to social activities and human interaction.
• You have a healthy mental status to enjoy other activities, hobbies or courses not related to work.
• You have time for personal not-work related dreams, opening a side business or completing a higher degree.

I find it hard to take up some after work activities if I’m not on vacation, I took a photography course and the course starts right after I get out. Sometimes I’m there on an empty stomach sitting on the desk listening to the instructor spaced out! It’s really an effort and not relaxing at all. On my course days, no scheduled down-time is approved, I kind of enjoyed this part, I couldn’t stay in because I had personal matters to attend to

When taking up a vacation, I usually need time to slip in the relaxation mood, so long vacations are the answer. Time to exit work mode, time to get adjusted, time to enjoy

My answer to how to deal with all of this, is to force myself, though I’m not succeeding most of the time. After Ramadan is over, I’m thinking of taking up a pottery class or a cooking class, that ought to be fun. Bigger plans and decisions, I’ll postpone to next year