How To Build a Meaningful Life Beyond the 9-5

Does your work life leave you feeling drained and unhappy? Many people have this frustration, especially as companies give people less paid time off and increase their work hours in the United States.

I recently read a couple of books that reinforced my perspective on the anti-busyness movement: Do Nothing by Celeste Headlee and Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport.

These books taught me that constant busyness isn’t the goal; in fact, busyness is the very thing that destroys our creativity and well-being. Having more rest and joy in life can make life richer and more meaningful. I highly recommend both books if you’re trying to slow down.

Reading these books inspired me to write this article on creating a meaningful life beyond the 9-5. So many of us don’t have a choice; we need to work these hours to support our families, especially as everything is getting more expensive.

In this article, I’m going to share:

• Signs you’re craving more meaning or freedom
• How to let go of the pressure to constantly achieve
• How to define what a meaningful life looks like to you
• How to align your life with your personal values
• Small ways to add purpose to your weekly routine

I am always thinking about how I can build a life that feels full and meaningful, not just busy. I don’t want my days to be something I just get through – I want them to actually feel good while I’m living them.

And, here’s how you can too.

Best Ways To Build a Meaningful Life Beyond the 9-5

This article is about how to feel more meaning, joy, and balance in your life, even if you continue working a 9-to-5.

Why you may want a more meaningful life

Who doesn’t want a more meaningful life?

The traditional 9-5 lifestyle tends to feel draining and can cause burnout because it leaves very little time for what you want to do outside of work.

Instead, you’re basing your schedule on someone else’s priorities, which makes it harder to do things like hobbies, personal growth, or spend time with family.

You may be showing signs of craving more meaning or freedom, like:

• Feeling restless even when everything feels fine
• You daydream about a totally different life
• Work feels heavy and drains all of your energy
• You’re drawn to other activities that aren’t work more than ever

Your worth shouldn’t be tied to how productive you are. Many of us grow up with that mindset, but it can lead to a feeling of being burned out and that we’re never getting enough done.

I recommend that you practice moving away from the pressure of working and being productive all the time, and give yourself permission to rest and be human.

Find your passions and values

To create a more meaningful life, I recommend that you define what meaningful is to you first.

I recommend that you pay attention to when you feel most like yourself and when you feel the most joy. Think about your passions, interests, and skills that have nothing to do with your work life.

Do you have things that naturally interest you? This question can help you get started exploring what could be a new passion of yours.

You don’t need a large time commitment to start finding joy outside of work; even just 10 or 20 minutes a day or a once-a-week activity can make a huge difference in the beginning.

See what feels good, and start spending more and more time doing these things. Making these small steps can help you figure out your identity beyond work life, and it’s important to remember that work is just one part of you, not the whole story.

So, think about your values, interests, and roles outside of work.

Think about the things that make you feel alive.

When you stop defining your worth by what you do for a living or how much money you make and start focusing on who you are as a person, your life becomes fuller and much more your own. 

Here are some tips to help you get started on figuring out a meaningful life outside of work:

• Go on a short walk to clear your mind (I really like doing this, and I find that it really helps)
• Write for ten minutes in a journal
• Dedicate time to learning or creating something new
• Listen to a new podcast
• Sit in silence

It doesn’t have to be hard – small steps can be meaningful to helping you figure out what your dream life looks like.

Here are some examples of passions (things you might love doing) that you want to find more time for:

• Reading or listening to books
• Spending time in nature, like walking, hiking, or being near water
• Cooking or baking
• Gardening or caring for plants
• Writing, journaling, or blogging
• Learning new things, like a language, history, or personal finance
• Traveling or planning trips
• Photography or taking photos of everyday life
• Playing music or listening to music
• Creating things, such as crafts, art, or DIY projects
• Volunteering or helping others
• Spending quality time with family or friends

And so much more.

What a meaningful life can actually look like

Now, you may be wondering what a meaningful life looks like in real life.

A meaningful life doesn’t have to look dramatic or extreme.

It doesn’t mean quitting your job, selling everything, or moving to another country.

For many people, it looks more like having energy at the end of the day, having time for people they love, feeling excited about their weekends instead of just recovering from the week, or even being able to pick up their kids from school.

For example, someone might still work a 9-to-5, but they go on a walk every morning, cook dinner without rushing, take a class on Saturday, and actually enjoy their evenings instead of scrolling on their phone. Another person might spend time gardening, learning a new skill, or finally reading the books they always said they didn’t have time for.

These small shifts are what create a life that feels full and meaningful, even if your job stays the same.

Taking action: tips to make it happen

Now that you have a sense of what a meaningful life could look like for you, I also want to help you find ways to make work less stressful and to feel more freedom.

Here are ways to fit more time in for your meaningful life:

• Block off one evening or one weekend morning each week just for yourself.
• Say no to at least one thing that drains you.
• Pick one hobby or interest and commit to it for 30 days.
• Create a simple morning or evening routine that feels calm instead of rushed.
• Stop checking work email after you clock out.
• Unfollow or mute accounts that make you feel pressured or behind.
• Schedule rest the same way you schedule work.
• Make your home feel more peaceful by decluttering or changing your space.
• Spend more time with people who make you feel relaxed and supported.
• If possible (and if you want to), try negotiating remote days at work, or at least a couple of remote days a week. This cuts down on transportation time, leaving you more time to focus on things outside of work. Companies are slowly shifting to a four-day work week, which has shown tremendous results in other countries in terms of work-life balance and more freedom for people.
• Spend less time scrolling on your phone.

A meaningful life looks different for everyone, but it all starts by showing up in easy, little ways. Small choices add up and can really make a difference. 

Recommended reading: 18 Passive Income Ideas To Earn $1,000+ Each Month

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the most frequently asked questions about creating a meaningful life beyond the 9-5. 

What things can I do now to have a better life?

There are certain things you can do right now to feel more rested, happier, and more in control of your life.

1. Sleep for 7–9 hours each night.
2. Incorporate some movement daily, whether it’s walking, stretching, yoga, or strength training.
3. Declutter and organize your home. Get rid of things that are not serving you.
4. Limit screen time. I recommend the app called Minimalist Phone. It basically turns your phone into only what you need (and makes it really boring).
5. Journal daily, even if it’s only for a couple of minutes.
6. Incorporate vegetables into your day.
7. Connect with family and friends with whom you enjoy spending time.
8. Learn something new, such as an instrument or a language. 
9. Create moments of doing nothing, like meditating or looking into the sky. 

How do you manage working the typical 9-5 for the rest of your life?

Most of us will continue working a typical 9-5 for the rest of our lives. If so, how can we make this huge chunk of our lives better?

Here are some ideas. 

• Set boundaries. Only work when you’re on the clock; no more checking emails on the weekends.
• Find happiness and joy outside of work. Invest in your passions or something you may be interested in, volunteer, or start side projects that might interest you.
• Stop trying to fill every minute of your time outside of work. Focus on rest, rejuvenation, and doing what matters most to you.
• Even with a 9-5, think about moving into work that is remote, or negotiate remote days or more flexible hours. 

The life you build around work is what counts. 

Is it normal to feel unfulfilled by my job even if I’m successful?

Yes. Lots of people achieve promotions, raises, higher-ranking positions, yet still feel they are lacking in life. This can happen for a few reasons, including:

• Your job no longer (or never did) align with your passions or values.
• You don’t feel like your work is making an impact.
• Success often brings pressure and busyness, which is emotionally draining for a lot of people.
• Your identity and worth may feel tied to your job.

If any of those resonate with you, it’s time to think about how you can bring purpose to your life in other ways that don’t include work. 

How do I figure out what my passions are if I’m always working?

If you’re always working or busy, try to find small pockets of time where you can see what your passions are. Even ten minutes a day can steer you in the right direction and help you get closer to what you want to do more of. Consider exploring a new podcast, reading a book, trying a new art class, or exploring a skill you’ve always wanted to try. 

I’m too exhausted after work to do anything else. How can I find the energy?

It’s easy to feel burned out when you’re exhausted after work. When you get off work, practice rest as actual rest. Don’t scroll on your phone; instead, lie down in complete silence, try going for a walk without any electronics, or enjoy a cup of tea at the dining room table without any distractions. Start reducing activities that are draining and focus on energy-producing activities. 

What are the best ways to set boundaries between work and personal life?

There are many things you can do to set boundaries between work and home, such as:

• When you’re off work, you’re off – no ifs, ands, or buts. Even if the work isn’t complete, close the laptop and step away.
• If possible, keep work apps off your phone.
• Separate your workspace from your home space. If working remotely, leave your laptop in the office. 
• Start a shutdown routine, where you spend a few minutes wrapping up at the end of each day by writing down what’s next for tomorrow and closing all tabs. This helps signal the brain that work is over. 

How To Build a Meaningful Life Beyond the 9-to-5 – Summary

I hope these tips and resources help you build a more meaningful life outside work.

For a lot of people, work completely takes over their lives, and they find themselves more tired than ever. It doesn’t help that some countries (like the U.S) have a hustle culture, but I think one by one, we can start dismantling that culture and feel more freedom and peace in our everyday lives without work taking over. 

Here are the steps to build a meaningful life beyond the 9-5:

1. Identify what matters most to you beyond position, title, or money.
2. Think about what energizes you and makes you feel joy. Do more of this.
3. Experiment and try out new classes, projects, and hobbies.
4. Set boundaries at work and after work.
5. Align your daily choices with things that give you joy.
6. Check in regularly to make sure you’re living the life you want to live.

How are you going to build a meaningful life beyond your job?

Recommended reading: 

• How I Created a Life That Doesn’t Revolve Around Work
• How To Get Your Life Together: 10 Step Checklist
• If Money Weren’t an Issue, What Would You Do With Your Life?
• How Working From Home Changed My Life (And How You Can Do It Too!)
• 12 Simple Habits for Living a Happy Life
• How To Get Paid To Travel The World