Day 025 — Speaking: Daily Routines & Work-Life Balance

I typically wake up at around six-thirty on weekdays. I need to leave the house by seven-forty-five to catch my train, so I give myself enough time to get ready without rushing. On weekends, though, I tend to sleep in until about eight or nine.

Yes, I'd say I'm quite a creature of habit. I wake up, have a quick breakfast — usually toast and coffee — and then commute to work. I usually finish around seven in the evening, although sometimes I stay later if there are deadlines. It's not the most exciting routine, but it keeps me organised.

To be honest, I'm usually pretty tired by the time I get home, so I tend to keep things simple. I'll cook something or order takeaway, and then just wind down by watching something on Netflix or reading. I try to avoid looking at work emails after nine PM, which has made a big difference to my stress levels.

I think I prefer a balance between the two. If I'm too busy, I feel overwhelmed and can't focus properly. But if I have too much free time, I actually end up feeling a bit directionless. I feel most fulfilled when I have meaningful work to do but also enough downtime to recharge.

Honestly, I don't think most people do, at least not in countries like Japan. The pressure to perform at work, the constant connectivity through smartphones, and the rising cost of living all contribute to a culture where people feel they can never truly switch off. Even during holidays, many workers feel obligated to check their emails. I think this is a serious problem, not just for individual wellbeing but also for long-term productivity.

Technology has had a deeply ambivalent impact. On the positive side, it allows for remote work and flexible hours. However, it has also led to a blurring of the boundaries between work and personal life. Before smartphones, once you left the office, your working day was essentially over. Now, messages and emails can follow you everywhere. I think this 'always-on' culture is one of the biggest threats to mental health in the modern workplace.

I'm quite sceptical of that view. While there's a certain logic to the idea that more hours leads to more output, research suggests that beyond a certain point, extra hours actually become counterproductive. People who are exhausted make more mistakes and are less creative. Some of the most innovative companies are experimenting with shorter working weeks and reporting no loss in productivity. I think success comes from working smartly and sustainably.