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Several months ago, our company started giving their employees the option for what is called "flex" schedules--a 10-hour day (really eleven if you count the lunch hour), 4-day work week.
I've always been curious what it would be like to have a three-day weekend every week and was eager to give it a try, but my team was small and I was basically put into a queue until we could hire on a few more people (not to support the flex schedule, but our company is growing and our team needed to expand first before they could accommodate consistently short staff on Fridays).
Management did as such and I revisited my desire to try out the flex schedule and they obliged.
This is my second week into it and, hmm... I'm not sure what to think yet.
In my early 20's I became used to long hours, physical labor, having started out working in factories. 10 - 12 hours some weeks to catch up with production requirements, sweating, standing for long hours. 2nd shifts, even 3rd shifts. Now that I work from home and work behind a desk the entire time I was thinking, "how hard can it be"?
In all honestly, the workday isn't a huge adjustment. I barely notice the difference. I adjusted my lunch time to 5:00PM--the time I usually get off work and use it to walk the dogs since they're still on the regular schedule. Jump back online for another hour and wrap things up. What I AM having a hard time adjusting to is, "what am I supposed to do on Thursday nights? What am I supposed to do during the day on Fridays, when everyone is still working?"
I'm sure this sounds like a huge dilemma, "just go out", but our lifestyle is pretty mild during the week, and we save "living it up" for weekends and pretty much do everything together. It would feel odd to go out by myself without her--not that I can't.
Perhaps I've answered my own question in regard to Thursday nights. Perhaps I'll just have a few beers and just blog?
But those Fridays...
About the Author
Currently a Lakewood Ranch, Florida resident, Philip has authored various interactive blog websites since the early 2000’s. Most content will be based primarily on matters of opinion as usual.
On my bridge construction project up in NJ, The crews worked 4-10s as they were based in Pittsburgh. I used to have every Friday to myself. It was nothing glamorous for me, but I used the time to shop at the stores while everyone was away. The grocery stores were quiet and well-stocked, and the malls were not bustling. I could focus on what I needed or look at something new. It was also the time I would take for self-care, be it a doctor’s appointment, personal trainer, or a haircut.
Sounds like a plan.
I’ve reverted to cutting my own hair–unless I screw it up too much and need a fixing–but I typically like to hit Ross for one-of-a-kind buys on Saturdays but they’re usually picked over by Saturday morning so I guess tomorrow’s vet Friday & Ross (and maybe a hint of T.J. Maxx & Marshalls.