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Who’s working like a hunter-gatherer (i.e. less than 20hrs/wk)?

I was surprised when I read that hunter-gatherers' average work time is just 15 to 20 hours a week. The rest, they spend on leisure activity.

It doesn't feel like "progress" to me that we now spend most of our daylight hours inside working, when apparently naturally, we'd only work a fraction of that (and probably doing something I'd actually enjoy, like fishing). Ever since reading this, there's been this voice in the back of my head, basically daring me to make something like this possible for myself. Not just to make a decent amount of money, but to do so working 15 hours a week.

I'm wondering if there's anyone out there who works fewer than 20 hours a week, has their needs met, and has a life they enjoy?

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    I remember reading something like this and feeling really surprised too! But then again they have way lower life expectancy and their lifestyle is grueling. Maybe the longer work day is the price we pay to live as long as we do? Either way, who doesn't want to work less? I'm feeling sooo close to burn out myself. I'm hovering around 60 hours a week at the moment. Spending a day picking berries sounds pretty legit right now. 🤪

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      Actually, hunter-gatherers' life expectancy would be around 70 years if infant mortality rates weren't accounted for (still sad, I know). And, if they were allowed to live in the same places that they lived thousands of years ago (i.e. abundant landscapes not destroyed by logging, development, etc.) they'd probably live longer! Anyway, now I'm just ranting 😆. It just frustrates me knowing that humans have existed for a long time having pretty nice lives and working waaaay less. I'm so ready to work LESS. p.s. 60 hours a week is rough! Feeling for you!

  2. 1

    But are you willing to have the quality of life of a hunter-gatherer? 😛

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