Contents
Introduction
For the majority of people in the United States where I am located, the idea of driving to work creates a negative reaction in the subconscious mind. Has anyone dreaded the morning commute and hated beginning the work day because rush hour traffic is always terrible? You are not alone.
In this editorial, I will discuss the ways in which the employment system can affect our health and how the Law of Attraction connects with this. We will then discuss how to overcome these challenges to being financially free. Assuming you have a vehicle and drive to work, lets first focus on the daily commute and its health effects.
The Environmental Impact of the 9-to-5 Commute
Daily commutes have a significant environmental impact, contributing to air pollution and carbon emissions. The reliance on fossil-fuel-powered vehicles increases greenhouse gas levels, exacerbating climate change. Air pollution caused by automobiles can cause a myriad of health problems.
Reducing the necessity for daily commutes can therefore also be a step towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. It can lead to numerous health benefits. It can lower stress levels, reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and improve overall mental well-being by allowing more time for exercise, family, and relaxation. Additionally, it can contribute to better air quality, which in turn reduces respiratory issues and other pollution-related health problems.
Health Impacts of the 9-to-5 Job
Stress is the primary public health impact of the traditional employment system. Any pressure to conform to the employer’s will is considered a stressor. This includes the pressure to perform well and abide by corporate policies. Stress is linked to a variety of public health problems. It can lead to increased risk of heart disease and stroke, weakened immune systems, higher infection risk and sleep issues. Essentially, the traditional employment system is based on the psychology of stress and dependency. It is a fear-based system based on the need for survival. It is no coincidence stress can cause the “fight-or-flight” response. These core beliefs explain why people stay in jobs that they hate.
Personal Anecdote:
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, I was 25 and living alone in my apartment in Florida. I had just started a job as a packer at a medical marijuana plant. In this apartment, I was exposed to black mold which grew on my ceiling. As the black mold grew without my awareness at the time, it affected my health and I began to have symptoms of a sinus infection with recurring nosebleeds.
For medical reasons, I was disabled and unable to perform the job. I offered to present a doctors note with my supervisor at work. After contacting him multiple times, something unexpected happened. Instead of offering condolences or allowing for a medical leave of absence, he simply did not respond at all. Not only that but I was not eligible for unemployment benefits until he eventually issued the formal termination two months later in August. Coincidentally, August 2020 was about the same time I was diagnosed with GPA vasculitis, the autoimmune disease that caused my disability.
The Corporate Mindset: Dependence and Control
I mention this true story to illustrate the point of how our 9-to-5 employment system naturally leads to dependence on those who simply don’t care about us. Our employment system consists of managers that dictate the policies without consideration of the employees below them. Furthermore, there is no way an employee can dispute corporate policies. Why? Because they are created solely on the idea that money is more important than the needs of the public.
As a result, our employment system prioritizes profits over bonuses and narcissism over altruism. Wealthy executives hope that governments do not regulate corporations by expanding time off benefits to employees because if they do so, some of their wealth and power would be transferred to those at the lower end of the corporate hierarchy. The employees at the lower end of the hierarchy would realize their power to negotiate a fair wage and fair benefits. This would mean this fear-based reality would fall apart and people would finally reclaim their economic power.
The Solution: Following Your Passion
So how is someone able to rebel against a job they hate that gives them the financial freedom they need to pay their bills? The answer is simple: follow your passion and do what you love. Find a skill, a hobby, or something you are interested in. Many assume jobs are the safest option for financial stability but forget that self-employment is also an option.
For example, many software developers are freelance workers and love working independently. In these freelance work contracts, you take control of your time and have the upper hand in negotiating time off and other benefits you may not have with your 9-to-5 job. Under the Law of Attraction, doing what you love and staying motivated creates the effect of attracting more money to create your dream life and more time to devote to your relationships. In some jobs, you are doing what you love and that is all that matters. Motivation is known to increase work performance and this stems from having a positive mindset. It is a win-win situation for both the worker and the client, the employee and the employer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, participation in the typical 9-to-5 job should not be seen as a requirement to survive and pay your bills but rather an opportunity to create an identity for yourself that you can be proud of. For so long, people have simply accepted jobs as something they must do rather than an opportunity to define themselves and what they can do for others.
By doing so, our public health improves. Stress becomes lowered because bosses are now seen as fellow coworkers and not superiors. We can take time off work without fear of losing our jobs for violating corporate policies that put profits above empathy. All in all, adopting this self-empowered positive mindset creates a new reality where finances and health are improved for all of us.
