Before returning to work from my summer break, I found myself reflecting on the meaning of work. Why do we work?
During the last days of our holidays, my husband proclaimed his sadness about our unavoidable return to reality. His comment surprised me, as I was not thinking about this at all, despite the imminent end of our beautiful journey. In fact, I replied, “Well, one cannot be on holiday forever, can they?”
Surprisingly, I felt at peace with the idea of returning slowly to work, and when the day came, I was joyous to reunite with my colleagues.
I focused my energy on being grateful for spending precious time with my family at a destination that had been unknown to us until then. I feel privileged to indulge in such a trip that once seemed like an unattainable dream.
Why do we work?
One can quickly answer that money is the driving factor of employment. Various studies have shown that the motto “money does not buy happiness” is a myth, as many researchers have proved that money contributes significantly to happiness, for it helps us improve the quality of our lives. The Forbes has an intriguing article about it.
Nevertheless, working for the sole purpose of making money may have a long-lasting effect of dissatisfaction and overwhelmingness in our lives. A salary is simply not enough of a reason to provide fulfilment and propel us to pursue goals, especially considering that people dedicate most of their lives to work.
So why do we work?
We work because we, human beings, are programmed to work. We are a social species that seeks a community’s company, comfort and security. In other words, we need to belong. To achieve that, we must contribute to our community to secure acceptance, protection and self-improvement.
Belonging to a community enhances the feeling of purpose and fulfilment brought about by social contributions, which are also achieved through work. Suffice it to say that some professions generate more satisfaction than others; however, finding an occupation that offers monetary, social-emotional, and intellectual benefits all at once may require more pursuing.
Work also provides us with intellectual challenges and prevents us from inertia, isolation, and monotony. Our beautiful, incredible, and wondrous brain needs training, challenges, and intellectual provocations to remain sharp. A working state or environment fosters personal growth and invites us to practice our skills, enhance them, and acquire new competencies. Exciting!
We are all guilty of dreaming and wishing for endless holidays, for we think that this is what our lives need. But ceaseless vacations are mundane, uninspiring, and unproductive. Too much of anything can be catastrophic in various ways. The same applies to rest days.
A long break from work is so precious because of its scarcity and the meaning assigned to it. Holidays are an invitation to pause, breathe, rest, do something that work prevents you from doing, and reflect on your values and purpose in life. They also offer the valuable opportunity to appreciate the benefits of your job or the necessity to change your profession or working environment. In any case, we can enjoy and welcome leisure time because of the structure and routine that work offers.
Ultimately, purpose, contentment, fulfilment, and financial stability are essential elements that should drive our desire to work and contribute to society. Whether it’s a traditional job or a fulfilling hobby, dedicating our time and energy to meaningful pursuits is a vital part of leading a fulfilling life.
