I've been told about working life in the UK by the media and by parents and friends, and they're not wrong. We really are working more than we used to which I believe is having an adverse affect on life.

How many people you know are truely happy, non-stressed and content with their job? Out of all the people you know, who wouldn't change a thing about their job?

Don't get me wrong, I'm really happy with what I do, but I never realised a full time job with responsibility was so stressful. I've working in a similar capacity at the same place for 5 years now although admittedly my responsibility has increased over time.

But my gripe comes from the fact that I'm a perfectionist. I am not happy with a piece of work wheter it be earning me money or purely as a hobby, be it on the Internet or a drawing or cooking a meal. I don't like it when I know I could do better on something.

But working full time, I have less time to do domestic chors as I had at University, I have less time to socalise and relax and generally keep myself sane.

And then at work, the jobs keep flowing in. I've got so many little bits and pieces that need doing but I just don't have the time. I want to do everything to the best of my ability but I realised today when trying to tidy up one of our subsidary company logos for use on the parent company website that I'm beginning to cut corners in my professionalism to get things done on time.

Also, I couldn't quite update a server at the end of today and it shocked me when I said I'd take a look when I got home and finish the job off. Now as it happens, I've not been able to in the time I had (I'm expecting guests in a few minutes). But I promised to myself that I wouldn't let the boundary between work and home become a blur.

Today it seems I've just added a load of stress to my life by breaking those personal rules I had generated, but realising I can't do much about it because I'm proud of what I do and don't want to compromise the quality of my labour. There just aren't enough hours in the day!

[Edit: Not meaning to be sexist at all, but I just realised the problem... I need to get myself one of those housewife people to take care of the flat and my accounts whilst I'm at work to remove that side of the stress! Then I can work to my hearts content.]