There are a lot of talk and references of people working two jobs. Some are doing it because they need to, some use it as a way to reach their goals sooner. But what does working two jobs really means?
Thrill of accomplishment
At first, there is a thrill of accomplishment after you find that second job that fits your schedule – you probably didn’t want to skip or lose the first one or cut the hours there. Even possible you don’t want them to know about it. So it wasn’t easy to find the second one. But you did it.
At first, there is excitement like in any other job at the beginning. You find yourself energized and capable of doing more than before. You are surprised. And try, even more, taking on more tasks, more hours. It kind of addiction – you want more. More hours means more money. More money means you get to your goals faster.
Reality check
The truth is that the human body can handle and cope well. It will adapt and the more we push it, the sooner it will hit survival mode. You have basic needs – eat, sleep, drink. The more you work, the less time you have for other activities. The body will demand sleep because it is physically tired. But will cope with the hours it gets. Taking a toll. The less we sleep – the less our brains work. So if your job demands thinking or even higher-level analysis and management – you lose your shine. Missing things or messing up, or just forgetting.
After you realize that you are just too tired, overworked, and stressed out – the smart thing would be to pick one. But as I said, it’s a kind of addiction and hard to let go of. So you take a weekend off and sleep through it. Hoping it helps. It might. In short term.
Losing the happiness
Each has it different, some last longer, some less. It does depend on the jobs, and overall hours – but humans are not meant to work around the clock. We are social beings and we need to rest, live, and communicate with others – friends and family. More than typing behind the screen.
I lasted three years working one full-time and one part-time job. Which meant working around 250 hours a month – some more, some less. It is about an hour drive to work so it became a quick routine to wake up at 7 AM to get to the office by 8-9 AM. From where I left at 5 PM to start my second job at 6 PM. On weekdays my shift was until 10 PM which got me home after 11 PM. Eat, shower, sleep, repeat.
I started to skip mirrors pretty fast. My body didn’t take well the pressure. Demanding food, but I didn’t had the energy to give it the right ones – I went for the easy ones which were neither nutritious nor healthy. I know I needed to eat better, to work out – but my mind was just blank.
After a while, I arranged vacations from both places at the same time. I gained a bit of my brain back and started to look at easy and healthy options which I have shared here a few times. But not sleeping enough can’t be fixed with food or energy drinks. Just by sleep.
Last autumn I started school – so I added another time-consuming obligation to my table. And demanded my sleep-deprived brain to start working on overdrive. Crazy? There are a lot of memes out there about how sleep and naps are rewards for adults. While working two jobs (or double hours at one) sleep and nap may become the only thing you will wait for in a day.
Maybe necessary – never worth your health
There might be times it is necessary to work at two jobs but keep an eye out for your health. It takes a big toll on your physical health – unregular sleep and eating. And an even harder one on your mental health. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. And if your mental health is fragile and made you struggle before – that kind of self-abuse might be too much.
I have gathered that mine is pretty stubborn and can fight off a lot. So if I reached the point I didn’t want to wake up. I am afraid of how far could it go. Luckily I wasn’t alone – my better half was right beside me and kept me going. Gives me a reason to wake up and hold on. With the hope that it wouldn’t be forever, we will have our dream.
This blog is another attempt to reach the dream and make it happen, but without sacrificing my health completely. I hope and dream. Although I am thankful for the experience I really don’t want to take another physical part-time job that will rob me of sleep and family time. The blog I can do – writing has always been my passion and a way to see myself clearer. The affiliate links on the sidebar are the easiest ways to support my dream without any extra cost. And I will always love a cup of coffee.
I hope I never have to find myself in a position that I have to work a full time job and a part time job at the same time. That’s ways to much stress and effort, and no personal time. Burn out would be unavoidable
I hope that too. And I think it’s really though that some people don’t have other choices. This is surely one thing I would like to change in the world – that no one would ever need 2 or more jobs.
Having two jobs can be tiring or fun. In the end, we always have to choose which job is worth to keep. Thank you for sharing.
We are lucky if we can choose. I am so sorry for all of those who doesn’t have any other choice than to work 2 or 3 jobs, just to make it.
Having two jobs can be hard or fun. I like having two part time jobs instead of one full time.
I guess it depends on how the shifts are. If it doesn’t take 12h from almost every day – then it could be easier. My other half has 24h and 12h shifts so he has several fully free days to catch a breath. Though it’s still not easy.
Yes it is definitely challenging to work two jobs at once! I am kinda doing that right now and sometimes it kicks my butt lol
I hope you don’t have to do this for long. It certainly knows how to kick butt and not in a good way
My other half is currently working three jobs at the moment and it’s really draining him. He has hardly any time for sleep, to eat, to see our son, it’s a lot. Luckily he is going to be dropping down to two, but even then I still think it’s a lot for him. Like you say, it takes a big toll on our health and I’ve noticed my OH is exhausted constantly and is getting sick a lot more than usual. I really do hope that you achieve your dream and this blog helps you get there, you have done the best thing for you and I admire that. We need to put our physical and mental health first and know our limits.
3 is a lot to handle. I hope one day soon he can have only one!
Thank you for kind words ❤
You did the right thing by focusing on your health and other aspirations. I have done two part-time jobs but both had a full-time job duration. One day after finishing one shift, I got a chance to do a night shift in a food factory. By the next morning, I was so exhausted mentally and physically that I decided to focus on one job that involved traveling. I earned less than my friends, but I was content.
I do hope so. Although it though, the money did help a little, but I am hopeful that blog will help out soon.
It’s tough to handle one job sometimes, I can’t think of two. It’s like you said though, sometimes it is needed and we have to contemplate the costs and the benefits. I admire your strength and experience. It’s also nice to see what you have learned about yourself and your body. It’s so easy to let those lessons go by. In order to function fully, we need to keep our multiple needs satisfied. I wish you accomplish your dream vision, and I look forward to seeing you’re making it happen!
Thank you for the kind words. Those were though lessons and often though truths are easier to ignore.
I do hope I don’t have to pick up second one again and if I could I would lose that need for everybody.
It took kind of everything out of me. My main job is really demanding and I sometimes wonder how did I pull it off and also managed to organize seminars for over 100 people. Seems unreal today.