{"id":59849,"date":"2026-05-03T08:00:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T23:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/norimen.net\/?p=59849"},"modified":"2026-08-09T14:00:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T05:00:08","slug":"work-life-balance-a-lifetime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/norimen.net\/en\/worklife-balance-lifetime\/","title":{"rendered":"Work-life balance is something you should think about over the course of your entire life. Are you only thinking about it in terms of a single day or week?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Hello, everyone.<\/p>\n

This is Enta.<\/p>\n

You hear the term \u201cwork-life balance\u201d a lot these days, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n

Honestly, I\u2019ve been finding myself thinking more and more, \u201cIsn\u2019t the whole world just using that as an excuse to slack off?\u201d lol<\/p>\n

That thingShort-term perspective<\/strong>I can't help but think there are just too many people who only think that way.<\/p>\n

Daily Balance?
A Week of Balance?
A Month's Balance?
A Year in Review?
\nThat's not it.<\/p>\n

Thinking About Life<\/strong><\/span>That's right.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"At<\/p>\n

Converting the Time of Our Lives into Numbers<\/h2>\n

They say life lasts 80 years, don't they?
\nIf we convert this to time, it looks like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Category<\/th>\nTime<\/th>\nPercentage<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
80 Years of Life (Total Time)<\/td>\nApproximately 700,800 hours<\/td>\n100%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Time spent sleeping (8 hours \u00d7 80 years)<\/td>\nApproximately 233,600 hours<\/td>\nApprox. 331 TP3T<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Time Spent Awake<\/td>\nApproximately 467,200 hours<\/td>\nApprox. 671 TP3T<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

We spend a third of our lives sleeping. People say that a lot, don't they? lol
\nSo the question is, what are you going to do with the remaining two-thirds?
\nYou can't just keep playing forever, can you?
\nIt's impossible to just keep working nonstop, isn't it?<\/p>\n

It's definitely a slope, right? lol (Or is it!?)<\/p>\n

How do we strike this balance throughout our lives?<\/p>\n

I think that's what true work-life balance is all about.<\/p>\n

\"Sleep<\/p>\n

My Thoughts on Life Balance<\/h2>\n

This is just my own way of thinking, but here\u2019s how I\u2019ve organized my thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Era<\/th>\nRole<\/th>\nThings to Do<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
20s to 30s<\/td>\nThe Age of Physical Fitness<\/td>\nWork like crazy and gain experience<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ages 40\u201350<\/td>\nThe Age of Experience<\/td>\nManaging work based on accumulated experience<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
People in their 60s and 70s<\/td>\nThe Age of Communication<\/td>\nPassing on experience to the next generation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
80s and up\u2014<\/td>\nThe Season of Graduation<\/td>\nI want to kick the bucket as suddenly as possible, lol<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Work hard while you still have the energy, andExperience as an Asset<\/strong>Prepare it in advance.
\nStarting in your 40s, you compete on the basis of your experience and credibility.
\nOnce I reach my 60s, I'll pass it on to the next generation.
\nI think this is the most natural way of things for human beings. (As a society)<\/p>\n

\"Roles<\/p>\n

My Unease with Today's Approach to Work-Life Balance<\/h2>\n

Looking at recent trends, doesn't it seem like \"just be yourself\" and \"balancing work and personal life\" have become the default expectations?<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Zero Overtime Is the Right Thing to Do<\/li>\n
  • The more days off, the better<\/li>\n
  • Don't overdo it at work<\/li>\n
  • Let's Aim for FIRE While We're Still Young<\/li>\n
  • Let's Enjoy Life with Passive Income<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    I totally get how you feel.<\/p>\n

    \"Let's try to make life a little easier,\" or something like that, lol.
    \nBut you know, if you keep doing that...Life is over once you turn 40<\/strong>To be honest, I find myself thinking, \u201cHuh?\u201d
    \nOnce you get to that point, there\u2019s no turning back, is there?<\/p>\n

    Politicians often say things like, \u201cWhen I\u2019m on vacation overseas...\u201d
    \nIn Sweden\u2014
    \nYou know how people say things like, \u201cIn Europe\u2026\u201d
    \nIt's like, \"They only talk about the pros and never mention the cons at all, lol.\"<\/p>\n

    FIRE and passive income just aren't realistic.<\/h2>\n

    You often see phrases like \u201cAchieve FIRE while you\u2019re young\u201d and \u201cLive off passive income\u201d on social media, don\u2019t you?
    \nHowever, at a ratio close to 100%,An Unbelievable Story<\/strong>That's what I think.<\/p>\n

    *By the way, FIRE stands for...It refers to a lifestyle in which people, while still young, live without relying on earned income\u2014a lifestyle that embodies \u201cfinancial independence\u201d and \u201cearly retirement.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Let's say you had a talent for investing.
    \nIf that works, then that's fine.
    \nBut those kinds of people are putting in tremendous effort behind the scenes, and they\u2019re also making an effort to gather information.
    \nIt just looks like I'm making money easily, but in reality, it's not easy at all.<\/p>\n

    Social media is all glitz and glamour\u2014it only shows the good stuff, right?
    \nWhy are there so few people like that in the world?<\/p>\n

    \"The<\/p>\n

    The Gap Between the Ideal and Reality of Being a Landlord<\/h2>\n

    Let\u2019s consider the example of being a landlord, a classic form of passive income.
    \nDon't you find yourself thinking, \"It's great\u2014you just lend it out and the money comes in, right?\"
    \nHere is a table comparing the ideal and reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Ideal (A Piece of Cake Scenario)<\/th>\nReality<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Owning Property with Zero Debt<\/td>\nMost Start with Loans<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Always Fully Booked<\/td>\nThere is always a risk of vacancies<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Does not deteriorate<\/td>\nIt will inevitably deteriorate, and repair costs will be incurred.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Tenants must pay their rent.<\/td>\nRisk of Nonpayment or Abandoning the Premises<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Zero Problems<\/td>\n100%\u2014here comes the trouble lol<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Actually, there's data to back this up.
    \nAccording to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications\u2019 \u201cReiwa 5 Housing and Land Statistical Survey (Preliminary Results),\u201d the number of vacant homes nationwide isApproximately 9 million households<\/strong>, of which vacant rental properties areApproximately 4.43 million households<\/strong>\u3002
    \nThe vacancy rate for rental housing is generallyAround 18%<\/strong>...and has been trending this way.
    \nIf it's a 10-unit apartment building, that works out to an average of two vacant units.
    \nEven if you own an apartment, if no one's living in it, it's just an empty box, lol.<\/p>\n

    \"Property<\/p>\n

    Fully occupied, no rent delinquencies, absolutely no equipment malfunctions, water leaks, or neighborhood disputes, and no worries about the building getting old\u2026 There\u2019s no way a property like that exists, lol.
    \nIn a capitalist system, it's practically impossible to make money without doing anything.
    \nEveryone is surely going through some kind of hardship, struggling, and doing their best, aren't they?
    \nEspecially when I was younger.<\/p>\n

    There are tons of landlords on social media who are still working their butts off even though they're getting up there in age, lol.<\/p>\n

    The reason middle-aged men and women seem so composed is their \u201ccourage.\u201d<\/h2>\n

    Because they've been through those kinds of experiences, these middle-aged men and women are able to maintain a sense of composure even as they struggle to get by day to day.Visible<\/em>That's right.
    \nThis,Courage<\/strong>That's right! LOL<\/p>\n

    By the way, \u201ccourage\u201d refers to...The mental strength and courage to remain unflinching and calmly face difficulties and fears<\/mark><\/strong>...<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    It\u2019s not like, \u201cThose people seem so laid-back\u2014I wish I were like that,\u201d lol.
    \nI've gained enough experience to make me seem composed.<\/strong>It's the result.
    \nI'm used to trouble by now.
    \nThat's why I'm so calm. (Though my heart might be racing on the inside, lol.)<\/p>\n

    And there are absolutely no shortcuts.<\/p>\n

    Your stamina really does decline!<\/h2>\n

    I used to think, \u201cI\u2019ll still be able to give it my all even when I\u2019m an old guy.\u201d
    \nBut, you know, my body just can't handle it lol
    \nI really am starting to decline. It\u2019s especially noticeable physically.<\/p>\n

    This isn't just about willpower\u2014if you look into it, you'll see that...Data<\/strong>There are so many of them lol.<\/p>\n

    According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology\u2019s \u201cPhysical Fitness and Motor Skills Survey,\u201dGrip strength peaks between the ages of 35 and 39 for men and 40 and 44 for women.<\/strong>\u3002
    \nApparently, it declines gradually and linearly from that point on.<\/p>\n

    Medically speaking, it is said that muscle mass decreases at a rate of approximately 1% per year after the age of 30 (the general progression of sarcopenia).
    \nMinistry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology \u201cPhysical Fitness and Motor Skills Survey\u201d<\/p>\n

    \"Graph
    Graph Showing the Intersection of Stamina and Experience Points<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Here's what it looks like.
    \nStamina and experience points are inversely proportional.
    \nIn their late 40s\"Turning Point\"<\/strong>...and they intersect exactly there.
    \nFrom here on out, you\u2019ll be shifting to a life where you earn through experience.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Here's a table showing how physical fitness is perceived by age group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Era<\/th>\nPhysical Stamina (with the 20s set as 100)<\/th>\nWhat We Can Do<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    20s<\/td>\n100<\/td>\nCan do anything; can push through even when it's tough<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    In their 30s<\/td>\n90\u201395<\/td>\nI can still push myself a bit further<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    40s<\/td>\n70\u201380<\/td>\nI start to feel tired the next day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    in their 50s<\/td>\n50\u201360<\/td>\nI can't push myself; I need time to recover.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    in their 60s<\/td>\n30\u201340<\/td>\nJobs that rely on physical stamina are tough.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Ages 70 and older<\/td>\nLess than that<\/td>\nAs sudden as possible!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    *This is purely based on my personal impressions, but this is what I\u2019ve observed from the senior colleagues and supervisors I\u2019ve worked with on the job.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Furthermore, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare\u2019s \u201cReiwa 4 Figures on Healthy Life Expectancy\u201d (document dated December 24, Reiwa 6), healthy life expectancy isMen: 72.57 years old; Women: 75.45 years old<\/strong>\u3002
    \nThe difference from life expectancy is 8.49 years for men and 11.63 years for women.
    \nIn other words, this means that toward the end of life\u2014about 9 years for men and about 12 years for women\u2014people are likely to experience some form of ill health.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    When your body starts to decline, your mind follows suit.
    \nYou start thinking, \u201cI\u2019m not young anymore, so I can\u2019t do it,\u201d or \u201cI can\u2019t do that anymore.\u201d
    \nSo, while you\u2019re still physically able in your 20s and 30s, work your butt off, andExperience as an Asset<\/strong>I have to save up [...].<\/p>\n

    \"Passing
    Passing on Slope Engineering Knowledge to the Next Generation!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    The view of life looks completely different depending on whether you take a short-term or a lifelong perspective.<\/h2>\n

    Let's compare the differences between a short-term perspective and a lifelong perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    <\/th>\nShort-term perspective (1 day to 1 year)<\/th>\nA Lifetime Perspective (80 Years)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Views on Work<\/td>\nIt'll be fine if I can take the day off today.<\/td>\nYour hard work today is an investment in your future<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    How to Use It When You're Young<\/td>\nI want to take it easy and have fun<\/td>\nBuild it up while you still have the energy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Ages 40 and up<\/td>\nKeep going by relying on my stamina<\/td>\nWe Can Win on the Strength of Our Experience<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Ages 60 and older<\/td>\nI get overwhelmed and hit a wall.<\/td>\nI\u2019ll be in a position to pass on my knowledge to the next generation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Results<\/td>\nHitting a Wall in Middle Age<\/td>\nMaintain balance throughout your life<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Depending on which path you choose, the view of life changes completely.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    It's not that you shouldn't have fun while you're young.
    \nIf you're going to have fun, do it while you work!
    \nPartying all night, then dragging myself to work in the morning! (I should really try to stop doing that, lol)
    \nIt's okay to slack off once in a while! As long as it helps you maintain your balance, that's fine! No problem!<\/p>\n

    I\u2019d like you to take a look at your life from the perspective of a \u201clifetime.\u201d
    \nOnce you do that, you should be able to see what you need to do right now.<\/p>\n

    Work-life balance isn't just about \"Can I take the day off today?\"
    \nSpending a Lifetime Striking a Balance Between Life and Work<\/strong>Things.
    \nThis is true whether you're on a slope-construction site or in the real world.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    To all of you young people, there\u2019s one thing I really want you to get right.<\/p>\n

    Go all out while you're young! Let's work our butts off, struggle like crazy, fail over and over again, and give it our all even if it makes us want to throw up blood!<\/p>\n

    When you reach your limit, just forget about work and take a break!<\/p>\n

    You shouldn't work until you die! However, you should maintain the mindset to keep working right up until the very end.<\/p>\n

    Once that happens, your life will start to take a turn for the better in your 40s!!<\/p>\n

    It will definitely!!! change! (And vice versa.)<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    See you later.<\/p>\n

    The Difference Between Making a Difficult Decision and an Easy One<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n