My dad told me he never took a sick day in 30 years at the factory

We were talking about my new office job and I said I was feeling burnt out after just 6 months. He said his generation saw work as a duty, not something to find joy in, and it made me wonder if we're setting ourselves up to fail by expecting our jobs to make us happy. Do you think looking for meaning at work is a good thing or does it just lead to more stress?

3 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

3 Comments

rosebennett6mo ago

I used to chase meaning at work too, but your dad's point about duty really hit home for me. It takes so much pressure off.

6

sageellis5mo ago

I mean, taking the pressure off is one thing, but like dylan_rodriguez said, maybe we shouldn't just settle for misery as the normal way to work.

-1

dylan_rodriguez6mo ago

My dad worked that same factory life and it broke his body by 55. Seeing work as just a duty got him a bad back and no real memories outside the plant. Expecting some joy or meaning is what pushes companies to offer better conditions and flexibility. Settling for misery as normal just means we all lose.

2