Woman Cries After First 9 to 5 Job — "How Do You Have Time For Your Life?"

It's natural to fear change, especially as a student preparing to enter the "real world." You dedicate several years of your life to school, and then, in your early 20s, you're forced to navigate life as a working professional without much help or guidance. Seriously, who wouldn't be scared of that?!

I was absolutely terrified during that time in my life — the uncertainty was unbearable. Thankfully, everything worked out, but now, TikTok creator Brielle (@brielleybelly123) is experiencing this stress. On Oct. 19, 2023, she shared a video to the social media platform, crying over her first 9 to 5 job and ranting about her lack of work-life balance.

Check out the full story below, and stick around to hear what the internet has to say.

"I know I'm probably just being so dramatic and annoying, but this is my first job, like my first 9 to 5 job after college. I'm in person, and I'm commuting in the city, and it takes me f------ forever to get there," Brielle tearfully explained to her followers. "There's no way I'm gonna be able to afford living in the city right now, so that's off the table."

Brielle said it would be much easier if she lived in the city and could walk to work, but as she previously stated, it's too expensive. So, she takes the train. She gets on the train at 7:30 a.m. and doesn't get home until 6:15 p.m. at the earliest. And by then, Brielle doesn't "have time to do anything" productive or fun.

"I wanna shower, eat my dinner, and go to sleep. I don't have time or energy to cook my dinner, either," she said. "Like I don't have [the] energy to work out, like that's out the window, like, I'm so upset!"

Brielle clarified that this has "nothing to do with [her] job," simply noting that she's just upset over the fact that she no longer has an active social life. We've all been there, and we have to say: It really sucks.

"If it was remote, you get off at 5, and you're home, and everything's fine. But, like, I’m not home. It takes me [so] long to get home," Brielle added. "And I know it could be worse. I know I could be working longer, but like, I literally get off [and] it's pitch black. How do you have friends? How do you have time to like meet a guy? How do you have time for dating? I don't have time for anything, and I'm so stressed out."

The viral video has been viewed more than 3.8 million times and counting as of this writing; it also received over 28,000 comments from fellow TikTokers who validated Brielle's sentiments.

"The 40-hour work week is beyond outdated, and your feelings are totally valid," reads the top comment.

One user agreed, writing, "No, this is so real, and any time I bring it up, everyone just kinda shrugs and says, 'Welcome to the real world.' Surely, there is more to life??????"

"It's so repetitive and depressing," a second person said, "I feel you girl."

A third TikToker shared, "I had a crisis when I got my first 9-5 job. Literally, I couldn't believe this was life."

"Tbh, it doesn't get better," a fourth TikTok user commented. "You just learn to force things in after work despite being exhausted [because] u feel like ur being cheated of time." Isn't this so sad?!

Another person responded, "The first year is the HARDEST. Omgggg, I remember crying after my first day. You will get through it." We couldn't agree more, and it does help if you have a job you're passionate about!

"You are NOT ALONE!!!! You will find [the] schedule that works for you girly!" a kind TikTok user wrote before advising Brielle to "make your dinner for the WEEK! That helps me a lot!"

Someone else (jokingly) stated, "Gen Z need to collectively move up into management positions and then collectively enforce the 4-day work week." Honestly, we're so here for that.

What do you think? Is there a lack of work-life balance these days? Let us know!