College graduate who landed first job breaks down over the exhaustion of a 9-to-5 job, sparking debate

The 40-hour work week has had quite an impact on the physical and mental health of employees. People are overworked and the pressure is tremendously exhausting. A young woman named Brielle Asero (@brielleybelly123 on TikTok) shared a video as she was brought to tears after experiencing the realities of her first full-time job. She called out the harsh system and revealed how it butchered her personal life. In her video, Brielle said, "This is my first 9-to-5 job after college in person.” The text read, “Question of the day: In a 9-5, how do you have time for your life?” Expressing her exhausting day she said, “I’m commuting in this city and it takes me f**king forever to get there. There’s no way I’m gonna be able to do this.”

She vented out in the video and explained that if her job was within walking distance, it would have still been better but commuting long distances was hard on the young girl physically, mentally and financially. “I get on the train at like 7:30 and I don’t get home till like 6:15 earliest.” She then shared a relatable issue many face saying, “I don’t get time to do anything. I want to shower, eat my dinner and go to sleep. I don’t have time or energy to cook my dinner either.” Brielle also mentioned how working out and several basic routines have gone “out the window” owing to her hectic schedule consisting only of her job. “I’m so upset. The 9-to-5 schedule is crazy,” she said.

The woman also shared how “getting home at 5” would have been more convenient. “You don’t get off at 5,” she added. “I get off when it’s pitch black. How do you have energy, how do you have time to make friends?” questioned the stressed woman. She even asked how it was possible to meet or date somebody and carry out basic activities, “I don’t have time for anything, I’m so stressed out.” She concluded her video by asking if she was being dramatic about the entire scenario. Though many employees are back-bended by the reckless working hours, many don’t say it out loud. However, to support Brielle, over 20k comments flooded her account for this video.

Many supported her saying that the feeling is normal and that the working hours are unjust. @kittenkatarina said, “The 40-hour work week is beyond outdated, your feelings are totally valid.” @thebookowlreads said, “It doesn’t get better. You just learn to force things in after work because it feels like you’re cheated off your time.” Many even advocated the much-demanded 4-day work week. @katbat_709 said, “GenZ needs to come up to managerial positions and enforce the 4-day work week.” @kirayoung said, “You’re not alone. It’s insane how your entire day is legit gone. This is why we need 4-day work weeks.” Others ranted about how they too have no time to get chores done, let alone build social lives. @livingboriicua said, “Also beyond the social part, how are we supposed to run errands and get things done outside of work?”