Busy, Tired, but Still Showing Up

I went missing for almost three months. So what happened?

Well… life happened.

I’ve been caught up in the everyday grind: kids, office work, and a side hustle. It feels like there’s barely any space to breathe, let alone sit down and write. But despite all that chaos, something good came out of it.

Since the start of the year, I’ve lost 8kg.

Now, 8kg over six months might not sound impressive to some people. But for me, it’s a big deal. It means progress. It means consistency. More importantly, it’s given me momentum. I now have a clear goal: lose 15kg in total by 31 December 2026.

And this time, I’m going all in.

So how did I do it, despite having such a packed schedule?

Simple answer: I stopped making excuses.

My day starts at 6:30am. I get the kids ready and drop them off at childcare before heading straight to work. After work, I pick them up, settle dinner, and get them ready for bed. By the time everything is done, it’s already around 9pm.

Most people would call it a day by then. That’s when I start mine.

From 9pm to 10pm, six days a week, I exercise. No matter how tired I am, I show up. Sunday is my only rest day. That one hour each night is non-negotiable.

Do I have time to unwind?

Honestly, almost none.

And that’s where things get real.

I’ve come to accept that something has to give. Right now, that “something” is my career. I’m no longer chasing promotions or going above and beyond. I’m doing enough to stay competent, but not burning myself out.

Here’s what my typical workday looks like:

I arrive at the office, make my drinks, and catch up on overnight market news. I start work on time and focus on clearing as many emails as possible, usually finishing by 10:30am.

After that? I slow things down.

I stay “available,” but I’m not overextending myself. I take a proper lunch break from 12pm to 2pm. In the afternoon, I maintain the same pace, clearing another round of emails before the day ends.

In reality, my focused work probably takes about four hours a day.

The rest of the time? I use it wisely, working on my side projects, thinking about my future, or just recharging mentally.

Because here’s the truth I’ve come to realise:

In today’s world, blind loyalty to a company doesn’t pay off the way it used to.

Instead, we should focus on doing what’s necessary, protecting our energy, and building something for ourselves. Save. Invest. Create options. So that one day, whether by choice or circumstance, we have the freedom to walk away.

At the end of the day, work is just one part of life.

Family is everything.

And if I have to choose where my time and energy go, I already know my answer.