Slowing Down in a Busy World

 Sounds counter-intuitive, but hear me out. 

These days were and are sensitive time at my workplace. We are in the middle of transitioning to outsourcing. In other words, we are working alongside people who in a few weeks will be taking over our spots. That's fine and all until it means we have to check 100% of their work that ends up being 80% wrong. It quickly becomes frustrating and draining. For almost two weeks now, I've tried starting work earlier in the morning and still end up getting off work at midnight. Definitely not sustainable.  

To give my employer some credit, I've never, in my 1.5 years with them, had to work this much overtime. That is until this transition comes along. 

Don't you think it's very ironic how, in seeking to have financial freedom, many of us are losing personal freedom? I guess, this is why employees are called "corporate slaves". It's peculiar. In the working world, we should be happy to get more responsibilities because it's equal to more trust and hopefully job security. And with that, overtime hours are almost worn as a badge of honour. But really, despite the so-called increased "security", what does it cost you? Time to spend with loved ones? Physical health? Mental well-being? And to be frank, as much as the company calls its employees family, it doesn't really care about us. After all, we are mostly replaceable chess pieces. 

So today, I chose myself. No work until the actual working hour comes again. Enjoy the simple things in life: sunlight, some time to nap, and food craved for some time now. Paradoxically, this break is essential to ensure I keep my sanity although it means there is still some work unattended. 

This post may sound very rant-ish. But I just want to remind myself and you (whoever you are reading this), that it's okay to slow down sometimes. Titanic going full-speed led to its demise and even sport-cars have brakes too, so why shouldn't you? Blow off some steam once in a while before everything explodes and must come to a complete halt. 

Choose yourself, even if it's just for today.