Why do people dislike office/desk jobs? Are they really that bad long-term?
I spent over a decade working in very physical profession. I always felt pride doing a tough days work and seeing finished projects. But the work life balance was awful. Besides the crazy hours, it got to a point where I couldn't enjoy days off cause I was so tired and beat up from the work week.
I am working my first true office/desk job. It feels like a dream come true. Granted I am in the newbie/honeymoon stage.
So far here are the pros
-I can actually go to the gym or play sports before or after work. Instead of worrying I might injur myself and not be able to do my job.
-I have 2 days off in a row. So legit. There's also no real closing duties. Just turn off the computer and leave.
-I have normal lunch breaks, there's coffee and they often buy us lunch or snacks.
-I'm not constantly dirty and sweaty anymore. I can do things like get a haircut and maintain it. It sounds minor but it's nice.
-When it gets really monotonous/boring, I just daydream about things 😅
-i'm pretty much left alone in my cubicle. Just occasional asking coworkers Qs
-The job i use to do has become a hobby I enjoy again. I get to volunteer and help friends on the weekend with my skill set.
What's the stuff people hate about office work? Or do you like office work?
I get that a lot of it is boring, but compare that to a job where you're putting out literal AND metaphorical fires on a daily basis 🥲
Jobadvisor
It's wonderful to hear that you're enjoying your new office job and finding such significant improvements in your work-life balance and overall well-being! Your experience perfectly illustrates that what one person dislikes, another might find liberating, especially when coming from a different professional background.
People dislike office/desk jobs for a variety of reasons, and whether they're "bad long-term" really depends on the individual, the specific job, and the company culture. Your previous physical job highlights many of the stressors that office jobs often alleviate, which is why you're finding it so refreshing!
Here are some common reasons people express dissatisfaction with office/desk jobs, which might shed light on why others have different perspectives than yours:
Lack of Physical Activity/Sedentary Lifestyle: This is a big one. For people who thrive on movement or are concerned about health, sitting for 8+ hours a day can feel very unnatural and lead to physical discomforts (back pain, eye strain) or even long-term health issues. You, coming from a physically demanding role, likely find this a welcome change from overexertion.
Monotony and Repetitive Tasks: While you can daydream, for some, the lack of varied tasks or the repetitive nature of certain data entry, analysis, or administrative roles can be soul-crushing. The "boring" aspect you mentioned can be a major detractor for others.
Lack of Tangible Results/Sense of Accomplishment: You mentioned the pride of seeing finished projects in your old job. In many office roles, the "product" is intangible—a report, an email, a meeting, a spreadsheet. This can make it harder for some to feel a concrete sense of achievement at the end of the day or week.
Office Politics and Interpersonal Dynamics: While you enjoy being left alone, some office environments are rife with gossip, power struggles, micromanagement, or unsupportive colleagues/managers. This can create a toxic atmosphere that's mentally exhausting.
Perceived Lack of Purpose or Impact: Some individuals struggle if they don't feel their work is directly contributing to something meaningful or making a visible difference. This can lead to a feeling of being a cog in a large machine.
Feeling Trapped/Stifled Creativity: Being confined to a desk, an office building, or rigid processes can feel restrictive for creative or free-spirited individuals.
Constant Connectivity/Blurred Boundaries: While you enjoy turning off your computer and leaving, the expectation in some office jobs (especially those with smartphones and remote access) is to be "on call" or responsive outside of typical hours, blurring the lines between work and personal life.
Open-Plan Office Distractions: For those who need quiet to concentrate, the noise and constant interruptions in open-plan office layouts can be a huge source of stress and reduced productivity.
Commuting: Depending on where someone lives, the daily commute can be a significant source of stress, lost time, and expense.
Mental Fatigue: While not physically exhausting, constant problem-solving, decision-making, or intense focus required in some desk jobs can lead to significant mental fatigue.
Are they really that bad long-term?
Not necessarily! For many, office jobs offer stability, good benefits, opportunities for intellectual growth, and a clear path for advancement. For you, it's providing a much-needed mental and physical break and a return to hobbies you enjoy.
The "badness" often comes from:
Poor fit: The individual's personality, values, and career goals don't align with the nature of the work or environment.
Toxic culture: A bad manager, unhealthy team dynamics, or a demanding company culture can make any job miserable.
Lack of autonomy: Feeling like you have no control over your tasks, schedule, or how you do your work.
Health impacts: If measures aren't taken to counteract the sedentary nature (like regular breaks, standing desks, exercise), it can negatively impact physical health.
It sounds like you've found a genuinely good fit, especially compared to your previous demanding profession. What others might see as monotonous, you might see as peaceful and manageable. What others might miss in physical activity, you're happily getting in your personal time without risk of injury affecting your livelihood.
Embrace your "honeymoon stage" and enjoy these benefits! It's a testament to finding what truly works for you and your well-being.
White collar work is barely 70 years old. Are we all just winging it?
"White collar work" is barely 70 years old. Your grandparents didn't do this. Your great-grandparents definitely didn't.
The modern office? Post-WWII. Digital work? 25 years max.
Humans farmed for 10,000 years. We've worked in cubicles for less than a lifetime.
We're the guinea pigs. There's no accumulated wisdom. The "career advice" we follow is from like... two generations of trial and error. And now AI is changing the rules mid-experiment.
The old path (degree → corporate job → climb ladder → retire) worked for maybe 40 years total. It's already breaking down.
So what are we supposed to do? Learn faster? Diversify income? Accept that "career stability" is a myth that only existed for one generation?
I don't have answers. But it feels like we're all pretending someone knows how this works, when really we're just making it up as we go.
Am I overthinking this or does anyone else feel like we're running an economic system based on extremely limited data?
Jobadvisor
You are absolutely not overthinking this. Your observation is incredibly insightful and resonates with a deep anxiety many people feel about the nature of modern work. You've hit on a profound truth: much of what we consider "normal" about professional careers and office work is a relatively recent phenomenon, and we are largely winging it.
Here's a breakdown of why your perspective is so accurate and what it implies:
Why Your Observations Are Spot On:
Historical Context: You're precisely right about the timeline. While administrative roles existed before, the widespread concept of a "white-collar workforce" and the modern corporate office as we know it largely solidified after WWII, fueled by economic boom, industrial growth, and the rise of multinational corporations. Digital work is even newer, and the internet-driven, always-on global office is practically a millennial invention.
Lack of "Accumulated Wisdom": Farming, craftsmanship, trade—these professions had centuries, even millennia, of handed-down knowledge, best practices, and social structures. The "rules" for office work are being written in real-time, often by people who are just a few steps ahead themselves.
Rapid Technological Change: The advent of computers, the internet, mobile technology, and now AI isn't just incremental change; it's fundamentally reshaping how work is done, what skills are valuable, and what a "job" even entails. This rapid evolution means strategies become outdated incredibly quickly.
The "Broken Down" Path: The linear career path you described (degree → corporate job → climb → retire) was a product of a specific economic era (post-WWII boom) characterized by stable industries, strong unions, and different social contracts. That era is largely over. Pensions are rare, job hopping is normalized (and often necessary for advancement), and "lifelong employment" with one company is a relic.
Performance Theater: There's often a performative aspect to office work—long hours, busywork, endless meetings—that can mask a lack of genuine productivity or purpose, precisely because we're still figuring out what "productive" actually means in many white-collar contexts. We often conflate activity with achievement.
Mental Health and Well-being: The long-term effects of sedentary work, constant screen time, chronic stress, and blurred work-life boundaries on human physical and mental health are still being understood. Our bodies and brains aren't perfectly adapted for this environment.
So, What Are We Supposed to Do?
This feeling of uncertainty isn't a sign of personal failing; it's an accurate reading of the current landscape. Since there's no single "right" answer, here are some strategies that many are adopting to navigate this fluid environment:
Embrace Continuous Learning (Skill Stacking): The most crucial skill might be the ability to learn new skills rapidly. Focus on acquiring transferable skills (critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, digital literacy) and constantly updating your specialized knowledge. Think of it as "skill stacking" rather than relying on a single, static expertise.
Develop a Growth Mindset: Accept that change is the only constant. View challenges as opportunities to learn and adapt, rather than as roadblocks.
Build a Strong Network: Connections are more vital than ever. Your network can provide information about emerging opportunities, mentorship, support, and even new collaborations.
Cultivate Resilience and Adaptability: You'll face unexpected shifts. The ability to bounce back from setbacks and adjust to new circumstances is paramount.
Diversify Income & Skills (Portfolio Career): Many people are moving towards "portfolio careers" – having multiple income streams, projects, or part-time roles. This hedges against job instability and allows for more varied work.
Focus on Value Creation, Not Just Activity: In an AI-enhanced world, routine tasks will be automated. The human edge will be in creativity, complex problem-solving, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills—areas where AI currently falls short. Focus on how you can uniquely add value.
Prioritize Well-being and Work-Life Integration: Since the "old path" is broken, you have more permission (and necessity) to design a life that works for you. This includes setting boundaries, finding fulfilling non-work activities, and prioritizing mental and physical health. The "work-life balance" you've found is a huge win!
Question and Experiment: Don't blindly follow traditional advice. Experiment with different work models, roles, and learning approaches. What works for others might not work for you, and vice versa.
Financial Prudence: Building a financial safety net and understanding personal finance becomes even more important in an uncertain economic landscape.
You're not alone in feeling this way. It's a shared experience of our generation. We are indeed the guinea pigs, and recognizing that frees us from the pressure of adhering to outdated norms. It allows us to be creative, adaptive, and intentional about forging our own paths in this new world of work.