A woman was overcome with emotion after completing her first shift at a 9-to-5 job.
Starting your first job after college is bound to stir up a range of emotions, no matter the role.
You might feel thrilled to take that next step in life and start earning, or you could be filled with anxiety, uncertain of what lies ahead.
For one recent graduate, the experience was truly overwhelming.
Brielle, known by her TikTok handle @brielleybelly123, went viral after sharing a video about her first day at her new job.
The video featured overlay text that read: “QOTD (Question of the Day) – In a 9-5, how do you have time for your life?”
The caption added: “I’m also getting sick, leave me alone. I’m emotional, OK? I feel 12 and I’m scared of not having time to live.”
Many people have rallied in support of Brielle in the comments, with one person writing: “The 40-hour work week is beyond outdated, and your feelings are totally valid.”
Another commented: “You’re not alone. It’s insane how your entire day just disappears. This is why we need 4-day work weeks.”
A third user shared their agreement, saying: “It’s so repetitive and depressing, I feel you, girl.”
“This is exactly how I felt when I was 22 after I graduated college,” a fourth commenter shared. “I’m 28 now. You will adjust. Also, having a job you’re passionate about helps.”
However, some people in the comments offered a less sympathetic perspective on Brielle’s video.
One commenter condescendingly wrote: “Aww, welcome to adulthood.”
Another remarked: “I guess I was brought up in a different generation. That is life.”
Another commenter added: “I work from 4 am to 7 pm or longer. Still make dinner, go for a run, and hit the gym.”
In the video that started it all, Brielle appeared visibly upset as she shared that her job was “in person,” meaning she had to commute to the city, which would take her “f***ing forever” to get there.
She quickly ruled out the idea of moving to the city, saying it was simply unaffordable.
Brielle explained: “If I was able to walk to work, it wouldn’t be an issue. I get on the train at 7:30 and don’t get home until 6:15 at the earliest.”
She shared that she no longer had “time to do anything” because her job only left her enough time to shower, eat dinner, and sleep.
As she fought back tears, Brielle told her viewers that she wasn’t upset with the job itself, but rather with the 9-to-5 working lifestyle.
“Like, if it was remote, you get off at five and you’re home, and everything is fine. But I’m not home; it takes me forever to get there,” she added.
After the clip went viral, Brielle spoke to The Independent and explained that her video highlighted the need for societal change.
She shared with the publication: “I want to be able to speak for this next generation and explain that a 40-hour work week plus commuting is not necessary for productivity.”
Brielle also expressed hope that “more companies consider following in other countries’ footsteps regarding the work week.”
In a surprising update months later, Brielle revealed that she had been let go from her job.
She captioned a video: “Can someone tell me I’m going to be OK?! It feels like the world is ending. I need a job immediately. I’m feeling so lost right now. Like, I moved for this…?!”
Brielle then shared: “I’m not going to sit here and cry, but I got laid off from my first post-grad job—the one that took me five months to find and I moved to New York City for.”
She continued: “It’s so disappointing. It makes you feel like you’re not good enough, and I know that I am.
“I’m a hard worker, and my boss said I’m one of the smartest people he’s ever had working under him. He knows I’m going to land on my feet.”
“I have a degree—I’ve done everything I’m supposed to do: I did two internships, I built a portfolio, I worked freelance out of school because I was building my portfolio. I did things for free.
“I’ve done everything I possibly could have, and it’s still not enough.”
Thankfully, Brielle later shared with her followers that she had found a new job, providing them with a hopeful update.
