What Does Hard Work Mean?

Today I come home exhausted, both physically and mentally.

At 24, I didn’t expect I would work a job that would make every muscle in my body ache.

I’m young,

I’m physically capable,

I can handle it—

Or can I?

There’s a push and pull voice. 

One that tells me to put on my big girl pants and just get the work done. 

Another that asks, why don’t you enjoy life a bit?

One voice that tells me leaving work aside for life’s pleasures isn’t so easy. 

Another that says, just do it.

I would be lying if I said I’m not envious when I see my peers work from home and stay cozy in their pyjamas.

Am I supposed to jump ship whenever times get hard? 

Maybe not.

Maybe this is what they mean when they talk about hard work.

This is hard.

There’s no easy way forward, but we still have to keep going.