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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

3 day weekend - to think this what is needed to have a decent quality of life?

241 replies

Whatifthegrassisblue · 04/03/2023 02:43

Where does the time go? AIBU to think there is not enough time? By the time you catch up on chores, spend time with family, catch up with friends and try and have some time as a family as well ....it just doesn't happen. I was thinking about it ...1 day for chores and "life admin", leaves the other 52 days to split between time as a family, your extended family and friends. Let alone just wanting to have a day and chill and do nothing, or go on a holiday. I feel I am doing life wrong 😕 Does anyone else feel this way or AIBU?

OP posts:
PotKettel · 04/03/2023 02:51

I agree once you have kids, elderly relatives etc there is so little time to get everthing done

TryingHard1990 · 04/03/2023 02:52

Yes! I w worked a 4 day week for ten years

IchWill · 04/03/2023 02:53

YANBU. Come the weekend I'm absolutely exhausted, don't want to do housework but I'm stressed living in a house needing tidying / DIY.

I arrange weeks in advance to meet friends for a gig, by the time that Friday rolls around I'm regretting making plans, as much as I want to see them, I'm too tired to go out. I never flake though, and drag my sorry arse out.

I joined my current employer as a day rate contractor last year. They had a fixed, set budget they could pay me a day, which meant I ended up working a 4-day week, Tuesday to Friday.

I'm not going to lie, it was an absolute revelation. I felt more rested after my long weekend, less stressed, more energised for the week ahead and was more productive as I had less time to procrastinate.

I ended being offered a permanent job. I tried to negotiate 4 day week, but they wouldn't agree to it. Shame, as I love my job. But I'm so tired all the time.

Original poster
Whatifthegrassisblue · 04/03/2023 03:06

IchWill · 04/03/2023 02:53

YANBU. Come the weekend I'm absolutely exhausted, don't want to do housework but I'm stressed living in a house needing tidying / DIY.

I arrange weeks in advance to meet friends for a gig, by the time that Friday rolls around I'm regretting making plans, as much as I want to see them, I'm too tired to go out. I never flake though, and drag my sorry arse out.

I joined my current employer as a day rate contractor last year. They had a fixed, set budget they could pay me a day, which meant I ended up working a 4-day week, Tuesday to Friday.

I'm not going to lie, it was an absolute revelation. I felt more rested after my long weekend, less stressed, more energised for the week ahead and was more productive as I had less time to procrastinate.

I ended being offered a permanent job. I tried to negotiate 4 day week, but they wouldn't agree to it. Shame, as I love my job. But I'm so tired all the time.

Was that reduced hours, or the same hours over four days (which I still like but then I also found that made the four days so long, I was exhausted by the end of that too). I want to live in some utopia where a 3 day weekend is the norm

OP posts:
Canuckduck · 04/03/2023 03:26

I work a 4 day week but it’s prorated so 80% pay. I

Original poster
Whatifthegrassisblue · 04/03/2023 03:28

I briefly worked part-time before DC, that definitely was the dream. I feel so annoyed at myself that I didn't realise how lucky I was to have so much time back then!

OP posts:
BoxOfCats · 04/03/2023 03:34

This is a big reason why I don't have kids. I have enough to do working full time and looking after myself, let alone anyone else!

Canuckduck · 04/03/2023 03:35

Sorry hit the button too soon! What I was going to say, it’s worth it to me. I spend 1/2 the day on household chores then do the shopping, usually bringing my parents who can’t drive any longer. Help them bring the groceries in and have a tea. Then I can relax and enjoy my weekends.

Original poster
Whatifthegrassisblue · 04/03/2023 03:47

Canuckduck · 04/03/2023 03:35

Sorry hit the button too soon! What I was going to say, it’s worth it to me. I spend 1/2 the day on household chores then do the shopping, usually bringing my parents who can’t drive any longer. Help them bring the groceries in and have a tea. Then I can relax and enjoy my weekends.

Yeah that's why I think it would be great, because you could then use one day for chores, another to chill and/or family time, then the other day for friends or family

OP posts:
Original poster
Whatifthegrassisblue · 04/03/2023 03:47

BoxOfCats · 04/03/2023 03:34

This is a big reason why I don't have kids. I have enough to do working full time and looking after myself, let alone anyone else!

Very wise decision! 😀

OP posts:
Cnidarian · 04/03/2023 03:48

I work 4 days but do 86% so it's not really long days. My "day off" is looking after the kids and taking them swimming and to gymnastics so no jobs are getting done! I don't ever want to return to 5 days

AngeloMysterioso · 04/03/2023 04:00

I find it thoroughly depressing that we spend over 70% of the best, healthiest most energised years of our lives… working.

Original poster
Whatifthegrassisblue · 04/03/2023 04:04

AngeloMysterioso · 04/03/2023 04:00

I find it thoroughly depressing that we spend over 70% of the best, healthiest most energised years of our lives… working.

I agree with you. I feel we went really wrong somewhere as a (collective) society 😕

OP posts:
DisneyPrincesss · 04/03/2023 04:27

I think a 32 hour week will become the norm. I currently compress in to a 4 day week but once all kids in school I'll go to 5 days, think I'd still do 5 shorter days if we had a 32hr week. The long days are hard work with kids.

JudesBiggestFan · 04/03/2023 04:29

Find a job you like and you'll never work a day in your life. I genuinely enjoy the structure, challenge and social life that work brings me. I worked four days until the youngest of my three children started school but am now happily full time and appreciating the extra money. I can understand if you dislike your job though it's a different kettle of fish.

WandaWonder · 04/03/2023 04:58

I like the idea but someone has to pay for it

Oblomov23 · 04/03/2023 05:11

I still can't believe the 4 day week hasn't taken off, or isn't being 'demanded' / requested by more people. Big companies like google and Microsoft have trialed it successfully. Covid changed things. It made people more self aware, more realising they had to look after themselves, more working from home and realising this was possible. So alongside that I'm surprised that the request or interest in the 4 day week hasn't grown as much as I thought it would, specifically because of covid events.

DisneyPrincesss · 04/03/2023 05:17

WandaWonder · 04/03/2023 04:58

I like the idea but someone has to pay for it

If you look at recent trials of 32 hour weeks in the uk, they pay for themselves. Productivity is the same or better. Turns out we work more efficiently when we are well rested.

Original poster
Whatifthegrassisblue · 04/03/2023 05:31

JudesBiggestFan · 04/03/2023 04:29

Find a job you like and you'll never work a day in your life. I genuinely enjoy the structure, challenge and social life that work brings me. I worked four days until the youngest of my three children started school but am now happily full time and appreciating the extra money. I can understand if you dislike your job though it's a different kettle of fish.

I totally agree with you, I enjoy what I do, its something that excites and challenges me and I enjoy my colleagues too, some who are good friends. But I still want 3 days off! Well I'd be happy to outsource the admin and chores in favour of work, but I'd rather spend time with friends and family than work. If you hated your job though (and there have been times in the past that I have) then that is truly depressing when you're basically wishing the week away

OP posts:
Meredusoleil · 04/03/2023 05:38

And that's a big part of the reason I have stayed working part time 3 days a week since dd1 was born! Nearly 14 years now.

Threee · 04/03/2023 05:44

working a 4 day week has been a revelation. I do an hour of housework, an hours food shop and then what ever I fancy doing. I have quite a stressful job and so I need to decompress

reddA · 04/03/2023 05:49

I work full time over 4 days but not a 3 day weekend, I have Sun/Tue/Wed off so I chill on Sundays and get stuff done on my other 2 days off, I also take a lot of Mondays off as Annual leave so I have lots of 3 day weeks - it works well, so much better than 5 shorter days

HVPRN · 04/03/2023 05:50

YANBU, the working expectation to grind all people to the bone is what is unreasonable.

People talk about work-life balance, yet the scales are tipped in favour of work being valued above everything else. The set up is wrong.

BobSacamono · 04/03/2023 05:50

I think we’re working more than we are paid for now. I’m sure someone with more economics know how will correct me but switching to a four day working week might be one way to address that if pay increases aren’t going to happen.

PandasAreUseless · 04/03/2023 06:13

BoxOfCats · 04/03/2023 03:34

This is a big reason why I don't have kids. I have enough to do working full time and looking after myself, let alone anyone else!

Same.
I feel like, in addition to work, keeping on top of the house and garden, exercising, walking the dog, life admin, and trying to see friends and family, I literally can't fit any in!