Has Work Culture Really Changed, or Is Social Media to Blame?

When I started working in 2002, nobody talked about work-life balance. My job had me traveling 25 days a month, often in buses or third-AC trains, sometimes standing without a seat for hours. I'd reach a city in the morning, get my work done, and then be off to the next destination by evening. Freshening up on a moving train was a routine for me, and I never thought much of it—it was part of the job. More than that, I enjoyed it. In 2005, I moved into a desk job, and while my friends thought it would make life easier, it actually became monotonous. The same office, the same routine, day in and day out. After a while, I realised that I missed the constant movement and unpredictability, so I switched back to a traveling sales role.?

Today, the problem isn’t just about the job—it’s about how we manage our time, both during and after work. People spend too much time scrolling through social media and neglecting their physical and mental health. The reality is, even with long working hours, maintaining health is manageable. A 20-minute walk a day can do wonders, and even five minutes of meditation can make a big difference. We have to take responsibility for ourselves. The benchmarks and expectations social media sets, not just for work but for life in general, are unrealistic. These platforms show us a filtered version of reality, and we start to believe we’re missing out or that our lives are lacking in some way.?

There has to be a balance, but that balance has to come from within, not from what others are doing or what social media says is ideal. The real issue is not the job itself but the way we compare ourselves to others and the lifestyle benchmarks social media pushes. We need to develop our own perspectives, identify the real problem, and stop blaming our jobs for every frustration we face.?

I look at my past and realise that the same job could bring happiness if you just shift your perspective. Working, being busy—it’s not a burden; it’s a privilege. It’s supposed to be something that brings purpose, not something to dread. When I was running product trials across India and even South Asia, there were nights when I worked until 4 AM and had to have reports ready by 9 AM. My family worried about the toll it was taking on me, but I found joy in it. I thrived under the pressure, and it built a reputation for me within the company, one that sticks even today when I visit. The same job that people call "toxic" now gave me a sense of accomplishment that I still hold on to. So, what’s changed??

Back then, people didn’t complain about work the way they do now. Six-day work weeks, long hours—it was all normal. Today, we have five-day work weeks, reduced hours, flexible schedules, even hybrid work options. Yet, the conversation around work-life balance is louder than ever. Is it really the work environment that’s changed, or is it something else??

I believe social media plays a huge role in shaping these perceptions. Instagram, LinkedIn, even OTT platforms have become echo chambers for negativity about work culture. The more you scroll through memes about hating Mondays, burnout, and toxic workplaces, the more you start to believe it yourself. People are spending hours on their phones, binge-watching shows, scrolling through Instagram, and then turning around and claiming they have no time for themselves. The real issue isn’t the job; it’s poor time management.?

There’s a shift happening where people are more focused on FOMO and comparing their lives to what they see online rather than just getting on with their own lives. The more time you spend engaging with posts about toxic workplaces, the more of them the algorithms will push your way. Soon enough, people start internalising this negativity. Back in the day, we didn’t have these platforms to fuel such thoughts. We just worked hard, managed our responsibilities, and moved on.?

The truth is the work culture hasn’t changed much. It’s the same managers, the same offices, the same hours. What’s changed is the narrative around it, largely driven by social media. These platforms have convinced us that we need to hate our jobs, that our work environments are toxic, or that we’re missing out on some mythical work-life balance that everyone else seems to have. But when you take a step back and really look at it, the issue is less about work and more about how we’re spending our time outside of work.?

I’ve worked 20-hour days in some roles, balancing two jobs at times, and I never felt the need for a lesson on work-life balance. I managed my time, set my priorities, and found satisfaction in what I was doing. I wasn’t complaining about how much work I had because I found meaning in it. That’s the real key: If you love what you do and manage your time well, the long hours won’t feel like a burden. They’ll feel like steps toward something that matters to you.?

Today’s problem isn’t just the job; it’s how people spend their time outside of work. If you’re spending hours mindlessly on social media, of course you’re going to feel drained. Instead of blaming work for everything, maybe it’s time we take responsibility for how we manage our downtime.?

The reality is simple—if you love what you do and manage your time well, the long hours won’t feel like a burden. On the contrary, they’ll feel like steps toward something meaningful. It’s time to stop blaming work culture and start focusing on what truly matters: managing your time and finding joy in what you do.?