"Welcome to the Grind": How Singaporeans Cope with the 9-to-6 Work Life

Adjusting from student life to full-time work can be a harsh reality. A recent Reddit thread on r/askSingapore captured the sentiments of a new graduate struggling with long hours, lack of personal time, and the daunting thought of working until retirement. The post resonated with many Singaporeans, sparking discussions on how to cope with working life.

The Harsh Reality of Work

Redditor yangieeeee expressed their frustration after just three months in the workforce:

“Just started my first FT job after graduation for approx 3 months and I am already feeling extremely terrible. Although my work timing is 8-6 it feels more like a 7-8 including all the travel and wash up time. There’s barely enough ‘self’ time before I have to sleep so that I don’t feel and look like a zombie the next day.”

The feeling of losing personal time is a common complaint. Many users pointed out that this transition is tough for almost everyone, but there are ways to make it more bearable.

Finding Small Joys in the Workday

Several users emphasized the importance of finding small things to look forward to, whether it’s a good meal or a friendly colleague.

“It’s important to find things to look forward to. It also helps if some of those things are linked to your job. Try to exercise, eat well, and sleep sufficiently. This gives you energy to do things you enjoy out of work.” – Smart_Tough_3327

“I second this. I dread my job but I always look forward to the good lunch and the nice friends I can talk to over lunch.” – boydoesyoga

While not everyone has supportive colleagues, many agreed that having even one good coworker to talk to can make the day easier.

The Reality of Singapore’s Work Culture

Some Redditors accepted work as a necessary evil and suggested shifting mindsets to survive in the long term.

“Welcome to the real world… find a job closer to where you live or with shorter hours.” – BeginningVisual4709

“Work to live, not live to work. Unless it’s your own business. For your very first job out of graduation, I would strongly recommend finding something like:
– Work for the skill set / job scope (especially a niche profession)
– Work for the bosses or colleagues
– Work that is nearby your place.” – Ok_Faithlessness4747

One user humorously compared work to school, arguing that working life might actually be better:

“When I compare it to school, I find school worse. School starts 7:30 AM, back-to-back classes, then CCA, then tuition, then homework. At least with work, I can spend on what I want instead of begging my parents.” – elbatius

The Stockholm Syndrome of Working Life

Several users who have been in the workforce for years admitted that they just got used to it over time.

“I’ve been in the white-collar workforce for 20 years, I also don’t know how we did it. As a millennial, the generational professional trauma is real. You learn to just put your head down, clock in, play the corporate game, do the work, clock out—just to pay bills, occasionally eat nice things, and visit nice places. After a while, it just becomes Stockholm syndrome.” – accidentaleast

“The Stockholm syndrome is real… complaining about it and then getting back into the grind because that’s what pays the bills after all.” – cutesycactus

Seeking Alternatives: Career Shifts and Minimalism

Some shared that they found peace by either shifting careers or embracing a simpler lifestyle.

“Nobody really copes with it, it’s just the unfortunate state of the world we’re currently in. That’s why alcohol, drugs, addictions, and intoxicants exist. All of us seek happiness, but reality is that life for most humans tends to be more pain than happiness. Personally, I opted for being a minimalist, no marriage, no kids. I refuse to embrace the notion of always chasing after material stuff.” – InTheSunrise

Others suggested focusing on long-term career growth or working towards financial independence.

“Grind first, look for something that interests you, talk to more colleagues. It will be tougher for the first few years. I think most of us struggled with the low pay/junior positions but it’s also an opportunity to make mistakes and explore different things.” – Effective-Note1350

Conclusion

The transition to full-time work is challenging, and many Singaporeans struggle with the same issues—long hours, lack of personal time, and the monotony of the daily grind. While some learn to cope by finding joy in small things, others seek alternative career paths or financial freedom.

Ultimately, as many users pointed out, it’s about finding a balance and making the most of the limited free time available. For those just starting out, perhaps the best advice is: you’re not alone in this.