Why You Shouldn't Work Too Much

As a writer/student for much of my life, I find that sometimes I put too much work into my projects and not into my life. Many face the same dilemma: Work to buy all the things we really don't need, or be lazy. In truth, not working isn't being lazy and can be as constructive as anything. I have found some of the basic articles I've written for Associated Content came after taking a break and rethinking the ideas that were floating around in my head.

A break from work life can take the form of a vacation, but two weeks a year isn't enough. Now, this doesn't mean you should sit on the couch for half the day watching soap operas, but it does mean you should get out of the office. This can be hard, as I have learned. Some of us can't take a break from work as we will be fired. As I've worked both sides of the road, I've found that self-employment may be the best option, but not always the affordable one.

What happens if you work too much? The money may come pouring in, but many things will be affected by your absence. Here are a few reasons not to work too hard.

Family (AKA loved ones)

This will suffer the most if you work yourself down to nothing. You will likely be cranky when you come home, and the same when you leave for work in the morning. Build upon your relationships instead. Consider finding a less stressful job (a hard proposition). If it comes time to choose between a family and a job, usually it will work out for the best.

Religion

The more you work the less time you have to focus on your beliefs. Some of us go through intense periods of belief in a higher power, while others can't get past the questions. If you do believe, then this will suffer because you will choose to get the paycheck over getting to understand a higher power. I won't ramble about religion, but it should be a part of your life in some way.

Depression

You may make all those big paychecks, and then have to spend the money on therapist bills. In other words, just like religion, your mental well-being is important. There is no guarantee working too hard will lead to depression, but I've seen this happen far too many times. People start skipping work, complaining about how there life is nothing, and they don't know how to get out of the situation.

That's just a few reasons not to work too hard. As I write this, I am spending almost ten hours a day writing, editing, and doing other tasks which are hurting these things in my life. What am I going to do? Try to cut it down to 8 or 9 hours a day, and take a break from the writing life.