Once I Decided Not to Work So Hard, I Became Kinder to My Family

I used to think that the harder you work, the better.

If you work hard, you get recognized, and as you become capable of doing more, work becomes more enjoyable.

But in reality, it was a little different.

The harder you work, the more is expected of you.

Even if AI makes work more efficient, other tasks just fill up the free time.

“Wait, working hard doesn't make things easier, does it?”
I realized that.


Besides work, I have housework and childcare.

With a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old, and no help from our parents or in-laws, we are on our own.

We have to handle unexpected situations ourselves, like when the children get sick.

So, if I put all my energy into work, there is no room left for my family.

That’s why I decided to choose not to work too hard.

Now, I work part-time within the dependent tax exemption limit.

Instead of “working as hard as I can,” I am conscious of working while leaving enough energy to keep the household running.

Also, I make it a point not to fill the space created by working less with more housework.

Dishwashers, washer-dryers, robot vacuums.

I leave things I don't have to do myself to machines as much as possible.

Among them, the robot vacuum is something I'm really glad I bought.

Vacuuming and even mopping.

With kids around, doing that every day is quite a challenge.

But if I leave it to the robot vacuum, the floor gets clean while I'm working or doing other things.

And above all,
just having a smooth, clean floor makes me feel refreshed.

Even if my child spills food on the floor, I don't think, “I have to clean that up again...”
Instead, I can think, “Well, I'll just ask the robot vacuum to do it again.”

This “oh well” attitude is actually quite important when raising children.

By working less, I created space in my schedule, and I've been able to use that space for my family instead of filling it with chores.

I can properly listen to what my children have to say.
I have more time to talk with my husband.
I can even spend time doing nothing when I have no plans.

I realized that for me, creating a “state where things run without having to work so hard” suits me better than trying to improve my life by “working harder.”

Work is not life itself; it is a means to earn money.

If that's the case, I don't need to aim for 100% at work.

I want to leave enough room to handle my family, myself, and the unexpected.

It’s okay to buy the space that money can buy.

If that space allows me to be a little kinder to my family.

I want to continue choosing a way of working that doesn't involve pushing myself too hard.