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Working adults of MAL how do you make time for yourself

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Jan 13, 2023 8:33 AM
#1

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Dec 2019
246


This is basically how I feel right now except my energy bar would be pretty low too. As a student I had plenty of time for my hobbies unfortunately I couldn't buy all the stuff that I wanted to. Now that I have a job I have the money to support my hobbies but unfortunately I have no time for left for hobbies. I mean I could squeeze in watching an episode or two any maybe read a bit of manga on weekends but I need to be very picky with them, unlike earlier I can't just go and follow a bunch of series all together. I've more or less lost contact with my college friends since they are busy with their lives as well. I can't wait and save all the fun stuff for when I retire, if I safely manage to reach that age that is.

So working adults of MAL how do you make time for yourself? What jobs do you think offer a good work-life balance?
Jan 13, 2023 8:37 AM
#2

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Jul 2007
5307
I work from home 9-5 giving me ample time in the evening to make dinner and about 5-6 hours of hobbies. Easy.
Jan 13, 2023 8:56 AM
#3

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Dec 2019
246
Scud said:
I work from home 9-5 giving me ample time in the evening to make dinner and about 5-6 hours of hobbies. Easy.
Does your job actually end at 5? During the pandemic when I had work from home there was almost no end time, my official job timing is 10-6 but my boss would ping me and ask me to do stuff even past 8pm.
Jan 13, 2023 9:22 AM
#4

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Nov 2022
964
if its something you care about youll make time for it

basically you hit the nail on the head you just need to make your hobbies a small part of every day and be happy that you can have hobbies at all

my sister has 3 little kids 2 and under. She works about 15 hours a day but still unwinds for a half hour or sometimes an hour playing her ds or watching a show, she just can't play games until 2am like she used to anymore
56709Jan 13, 2023 9:39 AM
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Jan 13, 2023 9:24 AM
#5

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Dec 2012
75260
Time management.

I also set short-term goals which always had to be fulfilled like 2-4 episodes a day, for example.

I exchange that for sleeping on the bus but during the start of the pandemic I defo had more time for myself

Now people are mostly working outside again, :/
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Jan 13, 2023 9:28 AM
#6
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Apr 2021
376
I work from home from 8:30 -18:00 and have trainings from 19:00 - 21:00. I usually watch anime from 21:00 - 23:00.
On weekends I sometimes watch in the evening or go out with friends.
Jan 13, 2023 9:40 AM
#7

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Dec 2019
246
56709 said:
my sister has 3 little kids 2 and under. She works shoe 15 hours a day but still unwinds for a half hour or sometimes an hour playing her ds or watching a show, she just can't play games until 2am like she used to anymore
15 hours!? What does she work as? Just getting 30 mins to 1 hour per day kinda really sucks.
Jan 13, 2023 9:41 AM
#8

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Nov 2022
964
BlueMaho said:
56709 said:
my sister has 3 little kids 2 and under. She works shoe 15 hours a day but still unwinds for a half hour or sometimes an hour playing her ds or watching a show, she just can't play games until 2am like she used to anymore
15 hours!? What does she work as? Just getting 30 mins to 1 hour per day kinda really sucks.


stay home mother/wife lol so shes basically running her own 3 kid daycare by herself
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Jan 13, 2023 9:44 AM
#9

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Dec 2019
246
56709 said:
BlueMaho said:
15 hours!? What does she work as? Just getting 30 mins to 1 hour per day kinda really sucks.


stay home mother/wife lol so shes basically running her own 3 kid daycare by herself
Sorry but I can't feel bad for her since having kids was her own choice.
Jan 13, 2023 9:51 AM

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Nov 2022
964
BlueMaho said:
56709 said:


stay home mother/wife lol so shes basically running her own 3 kid daycare by herself
Sorry but I can't feel bad for her since having kids was her own choice.


im just giving an example that people can work alot and still find time for hobbies if they really care about it
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Jan 13, 2023 9:55 AM
Émilia Hoarfrost

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Dec 2015
4322
Temporary work is a solution. Also, switching your hobbies to their most efficient form. Like reading light novels instead of watching anime... 



Jan 13, 2023 10:16 AM

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Oct 2012
5711
Make sure you include some quality alone time in the evenings after coming home, or in the mornings before work if that's better for you.

I've tried both: 
- I'd get up one hour before I had to, so I could have my breakfast and coffee in peace and read a book by myself. I'd do that to brace myself for the working day ahead. Down side: You'd come home more tired and want to go to sleep not long after. 
- Or I'd sleep as long as I could, have no breakfast and my first coffee at work, power through the day and then put more effort and attention into my dinner and evening time. Like making sure you plan a nice quick meal ahead of time that you can look forward to, and maybe try a movie that you could review online or recommend to your friends. Oh and keeping a diary is something I always recommend. It helps with calming down and becoming more mindful. 
If life ain't just a joke
Then why are we laughing?

If life ain't just a joke
Then why am I dead?
Jan 13, 2023 10:17 AM
Demon Goddess

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Aug 2012
2672
Yeah but usually taken by my family sometimes I'll game or read.
Jan 13, 2023 10:19 AM

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Nov 2022
964
Lolsebca said:
Temporary work is a solution. Also, switching your hobbies to their most efficient form. Like reading light novels instead of watching anime... 


this and also finding parts of your hobbies that satisfy your itch but take less time for example instead of dota 2 with matches that can take an hour+ play league since the matches are closer to 30min or instead of playing board/card games in person play online so you cut down on travel, set up and clean up time
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Jan 13, 2023 11:56 AM

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Feb 2022
460
Most people have room to improve their time management and have more time than they realize they're just not utilizing it.  Instead of cooking every night I meal prep lunches and make large dinners that I can eat on for multiple days. This gives me an hour+ extra plus meal prep makes it easier to eat healthier because you're planning things out.  Having a sleep schedule and sticking to it, it may feel like you get less time but before I kept a schedule what would happen is I would stay up late one night playing a game or reading etc. then the next day after work I would be so tired I didn't get as much done and would go to bed early exhausted. Keeping a balanced sleep schedule and being well rested can make the hours you do have more productive increasing free time.

Really it's not as fun as having a free schedule and I know planning out things can feel like work itself but if you're feeling like you're not getting enough out of your time you have to put in some effort to find that time.
Jan 13, 2023 5:15 PM

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Oct 2014
58
Don't even need to try that hard. No friends, no significant other, no kids. All the time is mine regardless of what I use it for. Unless family asks for some help, but that doesn't take up anything significant.
Jan 13, 2023 5:39 PM

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Dec 2016
259

I can relate to this. I work from 7am to 1pm and I also go to college (I'm studying a second career) from 7pm to 11.45pm.
Plus I have to take care of housework, cooking and such and of course take care of my cat, so whenever I have some time left I prefer to take a nap cause I'm almost mentally drained and I don't even enjoy playing games or watching anything that requires my attention very much. I mostly watch The Office on repeat as my comfort series. It's pretty hard to find the time and especially the energy for hobbies.
Jan 13, 2023 5:46 PM
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Dec 2022
4353
Luckily I work at home even before COVID, that makes me have a lot of time. However, my work comes very randomly to the point that I had to prepare for possible works 2-3 times more than I would expect.

Due to the nature of my work, I learned to avoid panicking for time management.
Jan 13, 2023 5:47 PM
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Jul 2021
3216
Good question OP, really good question, I'll be sure to holla at ya when I find the answer to it, if I ever do find it, that is.
Me every time I hear the word "reparations": 🤣🤣🤣
Jan 13, 2023 5:49 PM

Online
Dec 2021
1796
Some days can be annoyingly busy, but I'm free after 5pm on 3/5 of weekdays and have the whole evening to myself, while 1 other evening is usually board games or trivia night with friends. Admittedly, my job is often pretty light on the workload too, so I can do some chores or have some fun on the clock some days too when I'm working from home. I think finding a cushy job where you aren't on call all the time and can get away from the chains of modern society helps a ton, but easier said than done finding such a job.
Jan 13, 2023 8:59 PM

Online
Dec 2016
7174
Gain a few hours by learning to not just function with less sleep. Gaining the ability to fall asleep anytime quickly. Make the circadian rhythm your bitch. Still applicable even when I had a socially acceptable social life. 

Disregard normie social conventions and actively jettison lifespan shortening (this part is crucial as you gain more time in general) stress from following their indoctrination routines.  I honestly could not give less of a fuck, and I have gotten employee of the month twice once whilst binging Elden Ring.
Jan 14, 2023 4:17 AM

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Sep 2022
306
I work from 6-4 or 7-5 everyday so I don't exactly get a lot of time for myself at all. This is probably one of the big reasons why I don't really have that much of a social life anymore. It feels like all I do is work, which I'm fine with, but some people wouldn't be. So I don't exactly find time for myself, I just stay up at ungodly hours watching or playing stuff. Having a horrible sleep schedule has It's perks occasionally. 

Jan 14, 2023 4:59 AM

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Nov 2013
3836
so many 'adults' constantly talking about how little time they have are still endlessly scrolling social media these days just like the kids, they're just not really self-aware - the time and energy bar for that section should be at half imo
the official MAL hall of fame/cursed comments is now open for business - you are welcome to PM me any potential quotes to include
Jan 14, 2023 5:02 AM
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Jan 2023
1
Sad said:
so many 'adults' constantly talking about how little time they have are still endlessly scrolling social media these days just like the kids, they're just not really self-aware - the time and energy bar for that section should be at half imo


do you have energy to do anything other than scroll your phone after 10 hours of work? 
Jan 14, 2023 5:03 AM

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Feb 2012
6821
I've pretty much cut out games, play only like 1 and as well cut out on anime and manga, barely watching anything seasonal and reading only a couple of ongoing series. Can't remember the last time I picked a manga or anime from my PTW/PTR list and gave it a go. There is always time after work but as you said one just needs to be smart on how to spend it.
Jan 14, 2023 5:16 AM

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Nov 2013
3836
mapsnotmodified said:
Sad said:
so many 'adults' constantly talking about how little time they have are still endlessly scrolling social media these days just like the kids, they're just not really self-aware - the time and energy bar for that section should be at half imo


do you have energy to do anything other than scroll your phone after 10 hours of work? 

an arbitrary choice of high work hours? nobody is forcing you to do that many hours, realistically you should only be doing them within shift work, 4 on, 4 off, or you're doing overtime/self-employed. it's also your choice what you do with your remaining hours

the fact that you randomly signed up to MAL to just make this post really proves that you're not using your time well lmao
the official MAL hall of fame/cursed comments is now open for business - you are welcome to PM me any potential quotes to include
Jan 14, 2023 11:10 AM

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Nov 2022
964
Sad said:
so many 'adults' constantly talking about how little time they have are still endlessly scrolling social media these days just like the kids, they're just not really self-aware - the time and energy bar for that section should be at half imo


yea tru that was my problem last year but the last few months i stopped going on social media so much and its really opened up alot more time than i thought for other activities and i just have a better attitude anyway since social media can be stressful for whatever reason
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Jan 14, 2023 11:50 AM

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Aug 2022
208
BlueMaho said:
Sorry but I can't feel bad for her since having kids was her own choice.
You having a job that doesn't leave you enough time to enjoy your own hobbies is then also your own choice.

Jan 14, 2023 12:57 PM

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Apr 2015
3109
? You just need good time management and try to schedule your days. Prioritize between your hobbies and house work. That's all it is. And if you still feel tired and can't really do shit after work days you talk with your boss or see a doctor, because then you may have other issues than just not having enough time.
Jan 14, 2023 1:00 PM
Neet Specter

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Mar 2022
11175
Simple.. I don't work.. I'm not a servant.. We only live once, why waste this one life by working?
 

Jan 15, 2023 8:50 AM

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Nov 2013
3836
ryo-san said:
Simple.. I don't work.. I'm not a servant.. We only live once, why waste this one life by working?

quite a misguided MAL-tier view, you can also just work for yourself

not everybody has the luxury of just wasting away in their parents basement wanking away the years to anime characters
the official MAL hall of fame/cursed comments is now open for business - you are welcome to PM me any potential quotes to include
Jan 15, 2023 8:59 AM
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Jan 2023
52
Luckily once I graduate college my work schedule will be, 7-4 Monday Tuesday Wednesday and thursday, off the rest till Monday again. Except i have call-outs.
Jan 15, 2023 12:15 PM

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Jun 2022
2321
i work from home so i spend a lot of time not actually working and messing around instead, lol.
Jan 15, 2023 3:08 PM

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May 2013
8271
I try and find time away from myself. I work the standard 40 hour week and I still hate the amount of personal time I have.

I just want to be constantly distracted.



♡ Harder Daddy ♡
Jan 15, 2023 4:23 PM

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Oct 2022
2796
Besides working a fairly demanding job, I am on an HOA board, I do artwork, used to run a YT channel... and occasionally go for walks or watch anime. I have so little time that I have to pick&choose what I do in a day ranked by priority. Job=#1. HOA board unfortunately=#2. I had to drop the YouTube thing. I walk for exercise, and the time left over is spent watching some anime, interacting online. I rarely have the energy for artwork anymore. I probably only watch 2 or 3 shows per season and apart from the occasional video, nothing else.
Jan 15, 2023 4:35 PM
ああああああああ

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Apr 2013
5720
Most of the time, if I don't schedule it in, I won't really be able to do half of the things that I want to do. Like, for example, that is the reason why I am posting this right now, instead of doing something that would actually be good for me.

This ground is soiled by those before me and their lies. I dare not look up for on me I feel their eyes
Jan 17, 2023 12:09 AM

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May 2021
156
Aside from my job I have basically nothing going on so I just fill it with anime cause I like it. Better than doing hard drugs I imagine.
Jan 17, 2023 12:18 PM

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Jan 2022
1042
I work 6am to 6pm (available to work during that 12 hour period) driving Railroad Engineers and Conductors to and from Railyards to trains and sidings and vice versa over a quarter of Texas for a company called Hallcon.  I also work gig work doing surveys for a UK based company called Prolific when I have nothing else to do, or even on the job from my phone depending on the survey  while waiting for my railroad crews.  Within all that I work Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays alternating (meaning I'm off every other Saturday).  OFF Sunday, Mondays and Thursdays generally as a rule, and on those days I usually do about (4) hours of surveys on Prolific and make a nice sum, while chilling out to music.  ALL THE REST OF THE TIME I do whatever the heck I want.  Go Bicycling, Power Walking, Watch anime and shows... spend time with my kids who are now 14 and 17 where I can (divorced, I'm not the custodial parent)... and as of late dating someone I really like where her and I can get time in since she works even crazier hours than I do.

Studying to be an Insurance Adjuster too.

I feel at age 44 almost 45 in April I have a pretty good work/life balance and can't really complain other than I ain't made of money.  But "Hustling" is all I know, so working hard while living life is one and the same.  

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