What amount of hours should be in a day?
Looking at the present Gen Z, children and their parents, I wonder if the present twenty-four hours in a day is enough for their workload.
Who and how was this twenty-four hours a day fixed?
During our great-grandparents’ years, if you check their lifestyles, how did they complete all their work methodically and still have some hours in hand to relax with their friends?
The women of the house got up at dawn and got ready before the menfolk woke up. They had to burn the mud choola, boil water in a big boiler, start cooking, and do other chores.
Yes, the Gen Z may say, “They did not have to go out to work.” But many walked to the nearby well or river to fetch water and bathe, and washed clothes there. It was good walking exercise for them and also a chance to catch up with the ladies and friends.
They did everything manually, grinding the masala on a ‘Silveta’ or grinding Idli and Dosa batter on a round stone. These were very good exercises which people learn today by going to the gym or joining a yoga session. And still they say, “What man, I feel so tired.”
They can find time for all these, spending a huge amount, even though they have all the gadgets like a mixer grinder, washing machine, etc. But finding time to stroll for ten minutes after dinner? “Oh! I am too tired to go for a walk.” Make it into your routine, get back into shape, and get a good sleep.
But what do you think is lacking in Gen Z nowadays?
The lack of organization and planning. They can spend hours outside the ‘24-hour slot’, but they would say, “Yaar, I do not find time to complete my household or office work.”
Why? The main culprits are the mobile phone and television.
Some are so addicted to their mobiles that they even carry them to the washroom, adding bacteria to the mobiles. While cooking too, they need the elixir of life – the mobile.
These were nothing in our great-grandparents’ time. They utilized the available time by making sweaters or stitching clothes. They spent their time usefully and even saved some money.
In our time, during the 70s to the 90s, we did not have anything except a radio at home – the Murphy or the Philips. We used to listen to the famous Binaca Geet Mala.
Our parents taught us the importance of an organized way of doing our work. We had to keep all our things ready at night – pack our bags for the next day, polish our shoes, and keep our uniform ready.
Otherwise, there would be the last-minute call in the morning:
“Oh Amma, where are my socks? Please sign my diary!” and so on.
That poor Amma was so busy making a hot daily breakfast and preparing the lunch box. She had to answer carefully in between her work. What value did she have? The husband and others at home had no time to help her.
That phase too passed on.
The Present-Day Parents
As the generation changed and technology developed, many boys and girls started working in BPOs. The lifestyle, eating habits, and sleeping habits of people who work in those companies got disturbed. They are mostly stressed due to lack of sleep and improper meal timings.
I feel the present generation does not believe in organizing their work schedule. They do not plan the next day’s breakfast or lunch, and so they get disturbed and order food from outside, which is often unhygienic. There is no limit to how much to make or order, and half goes into the dustbin.
What a waste of food when many people go without food.
They believe in living for today.
“Kal kisne dekha.”
Another big problem is the easy availability of loans from banks and private firms. People end up not being able to repay one loan and take another to repay the earlier one.
The vicious circle goes on and on.
So I wonder: if the number of hours in a day were lessened or increased, would it really help them complete their work more meticulously?
Good luck to Gen Z.
If you enjoyed reading this reflection, do share your thoughts in the comments below. Your perspective might add another hour of wisdom to this conversation.
Image Courtesy : https://pixabay.com/users/dassel-989431/
– Poornima Sivaraman
About The Writer:
Poornima Sivaraman is a vibrant 75-year-young retired teacher with a lifelong passion for creativity and connecting with people of all ages. A long-time blogger and now the proud author of “My Collection of Stories for Children”, she launched the book on her 75th birthday in June 2025. The collection of 15 moral-value stories has received warm appreciation and positive reviews on Amazon.
Poornima writes for multiple platforms, contributes to anthologies, and enjoys sharing her unique perspectives with readers. Beyond writing, she sings on Star Maker, loves cooking, and believes in living a simple, meaningful life. As a storyteller and Awareness Ambassador with the Spectrum Group, she continues to inspire others through kindness, positivity, and her enduring creative spirit.
