{
  "id": 11667790,
  "title": "I worked 7 days a week while my husband couldn't work. Now I'm learning to slow down.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/i-worked-7-days-a-week-while-my-husband-couldnt-work-now-im-learning",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-03T11:11:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/worked-every-day-job-side-hustle-breadwinner-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2019, the author, Maria Polansky, worked a visual merchandising job with a 6-2 schedule in Vancouver, one of North America's most expensive cities. She also tried freelancing on the side for fun. After moving to the UK for love in 2019, she took a break from freelancing but resumed it after finding a new full-time merchandising job in the UK. The pandemic provided ample time for her to work on new projects and build her portfolio. When restrictions eased, her workload increased, and she began working six or seven days a week, including evenings and weekends.\n\nHer husband started a corporate role, and the pressure of finances compelled her to maintain a 7-day workweek. In 2023, they moved back to Canada due to visa processing delays, making her the sole provider for a year. She found another part-time job to maintain income without depleting savings. Working seven days a week became normal for her, with her part-time job and freelancing duties occupying her time.\n\nTheir plan helped them manage finances, but she began feeling depleted. After moving to Victoria, she realized the need to slow down and enjoy nature. Her husband secured a full-time role in 2024, and she learned to give herself permission to slow down. Since then, her typical workweek is lighter, with at least one full day off and shorter work days. Despite feeling guilty about working less, she knows this shift is better for her mental and physical health. She acknowledges that old habits persist, and she encourages herself to embrace the benefits of slowing down.",
  "summary": "I had a job and a side hustle and worked 7 days a week while my husband couldn't. Now, he has a job, and I'm giving myself permission to work less.",
  "key_points": [
    "Maria Polansky worked 7 days a week while her husband couldn't work.",
    "She learned to slow down and enjoy nature after moving to Victoria in 2024.",
    "Her typical workweek now includes at least one full day off and shorter work days."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}