Working Hours?

[Rosy1]

Hi everyone, I am brand new to this forum!

Following appointments with my Psychologist and Naturopath yesterday I am staring to realise I may need to reduce my work hours/days again (even if just for a while), as I am just not coping in all areas of my life (including work) at the moment for a variety of reasons. My workplace is very supportive, however, it tends to fall on me to come up with options - I generally believe that they think that is best for me etc. However, sometimes I lack inspo! I have been working for four days a week for years now (before I even started in this role) and have switched between having Monday's or Friday's off and working less hours over five days before in this role. I was/still am hard on myself over not working full time, I am a recovering perfectionist and overachiever.

So, I guess my question is, if you work part-time what days and hours do you do and what do you like or not like so much about what you doing? Or even suggestions from your past etc.

Thank you in advance for any thoughts at all that you are able to share, they will be hugely appreciated.

[Soberlicious96]

Dear Rosy1,

Welcome to Beyond Blue and well done for reaching out.

I too worked full time for a long time and while I was younger it was all fine and dandy, but then I went through a career change, due to a life change, and ever since then I have worked part time only. And in my full-time days it was always Monday to Friday, and now, it's kind of all over the place. I work in retail, so that means basically being available to work seven days a week. I don't do seven days though! I do anywhere from 20 to 35 hours a week.

The thing I have grown to love about working part time is that I feel as though I get more time to do things. Like for example, often I work weekends but get weekdays off which means all the shops are open and I can really take my time to browse around ...... shopping (, or just browsing not necessarily spending money) is one of my favorite pastimes. Ain't nothing in this world like a good bit of retail therapy, if you ask me!

Plus I'm a really good sleeper and I tend to need a LOT of it. I sleep about 8 to 10 hours a night and some days I also have a two hour nap. I've always been like that, so working part time means I get more sleep-ins than I ever did when working full time and having early starts. I may not have as much money as I would doing those few extra hours of a full time roster, but I do have everything I need; food, clothing, shelter, a car, a pet cat to cuddle, and for about the last 18 months a wonderful man who is so very supportive and understanding. I am really very blessed to have the life I have.

Everything has its pros and cons. I guess it's just a matter of where you want your main focus to be; on what you have, or what you don't. I've always been taught to be grateful for things like food clothing and shelter, and that everything above or beyond that is riches.

Anyway, I do hope that helps at least a little. Take care. I'll be thinking of you. xo