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Writer's pictureSamuel Tay

Singapore's Burnout Culture: Are We Able to Reimagine Work-Life Balance?

According to Clockify, Singapore ranks near the top in terms of annual working hours compared to other cities. The latest data from 2023 shows us working 2,330 hours annually, which is close to 40% of our waking hours if we assume 8 hours of sleep daily.



Separately, recent articles have stated that 7 in 10 Singaporeans have poor work-life balance due to an overwhelming workload, and we pay a high price for success. Is this trend something new that emerged after Covid-19? Apparently not. This article written in 2019 highlights the fact that burnout was already a very real thing even before the pandemic, and this was also something I personally experienced as an ex-teacher.


Will we ever find a way out and regain some form of control over our lives? There are no easy solutions. It is no secret that inflation has gone up by leaps and bounds over the last 3 years since the pandemic, and we are constantly pressured to keep up with the increasing cost of living. For some families, this means choosing to continue with dual-income arrangements while trading some face time with their children. Even those without kids are considering side hustles beyond their day job just to maintain their current lifestyle. Post-pandemic, many of us have come to realise the flexibility of hybrid work. Many of the friends that I spoke to, especially those who are mums, continue to explore the possibility of different working arrangements. Having the flexibility to work-from-home on certain days has become a highly attractive option to them as they are able to spend time with their children in between work and/or meetings, and feel that they can be more present for them.


Perhaps the government recognises this and hence they have put in place new flexi-work guidelines, with the aim of giving employees the option to request for flexible working arrangements starting from December this year. There are 3 broad kinds of flexible work arrangements, but it remains to be seen how many employers will embrace this given that the long-time national narrative has always been to squeeze every last ounce of productivity from its workers.


Personally, I am mindful that my current contract job will not last forever, and I intend to explore a new model of work moving forward which allows me to regain some time for myself while taking a lower salary. I do recognise that this is a privilege even as I continue to build up my financial buffer and grow my passive income over time. However, I strongly believe that everyone should take a sabbatical after every 3 - 5 years of full-time work to take stock of their life and see if their current career still aligns with their own life vision and purpose. I think there is no shame in slowing down and rethinking what we want from life. Our priorities change across different life stages, and we need to reevaluate what we want from work and life. For me, I have come to realise increasingly that a simple life is all I want and need. Having the time to travel, staying connected with a small group of friends who cheer me on even as I venture onto non-conventional paths, and doing purposeful work on my own terms with like-minded people - these are truly my #lifegoals and I will take small steps to make them a reality!

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