For many, the 9-to-5 grind feels like an endless cycle of work, sleep, and repeat. But one TikToker, @ellsatthedisco, is calling it like it is—surviving full-time work isn’t easy, and true work-life balance? She says it’s a myth.
With freelance gigs, influencer careers, and remote jobs on the rise, younger generations are growing less interested in traditional office life. Still, not everyone can turn Twitch streaming into a paycheck. For millions, the reality is a Monday-to-Friday job with little time for much else.
That’s why @ellsatthedisco shared some hard-hitting tips on TikTok to help people navigate the daily grind without burning out. And honestly? She’s making a lot of sense.
@discoatells It’s rough out there #9to5 #fulltime #worklifebalance #tips ♬ Chill and gentle lo-fi/10 minutes(1455687) – nightbird_bgm
1. Stop Treating Work Like Your Social Life
Her first tip? Get work apps off your personal phone—yes, that means deleting Teams, Slack, and email.
“If your company needs you to check emails outside of work, they should be providing you with a work phone,” she says. “Otherwise, you’re just giving them free access to your time.”
She warns that constantly checking work messages can blur the line between your job and your personal life—before you know it, work becomes your entire identity.
“I’m not a CEO. I don’t have shares in my company. So why should I be checking in 24/7?” she adds.
2. Work the Hours You’re Paid For—Nothing More
Her second tip is a simple but powerful reminder: stick to your contracted hours.
“Arrive on time. Leave on time. Your work will still be there tomorrow,” she says.
She stresses that your time outside of work is precious, and you should protect it at all costs.
“You can’t put a price on time,” she insists, even admitting she’d rather skip overtime than lose out on her personal life.
3. Take Your Lunch Break—And Actually Enjoy It
Her final piece of advice? Step away from your desk during lunch.
“You are not chained to your workspace,” she says. “Take a break, go outside, and don’t spend it sitting around with coworkers talking about work.”
She explains that lunchtime should be a chance to reset for the afternoon—not an extension of your job.
Time to Rethink the 9-to-5?
If we’re being honest, most of us are guilty of breaking at least one of these rules. Maybe we check work emails late at night or let our lunch breaks turn into extra meetings. But @ellsatthedisco’s tips are a wake-up call—maybe it’s time to take back our time and start working on our own terms.
What do you think? Are these tips realistic, or is work-life balance really just a myth? Let us know in the comments!
