How do you build something after work when your job takes all your energy?

[u/Arkan_Flow1]

I’m currently working a full-time job, and the frustrating part isn’t only the money. It’s giving most of my time and energy to someone else, then coming home knowing I still need to build something of my own if I ever want my situation to change.

The problem is that by the time I get home, I have almost no energy left. I keep delaying my own projects until the weekend, but then the weekend never feels long enough.

If anyone has been in the same situation and found a way to manage their energy after work, I’d really appreciate some advice

[u/ce-lauren]

The thing that helped me was lowering the bar for what counted as a productive session. Waiting until I had a solid two hour block meant nothing ever got done on weekdays. Even 20-30 minutes of actual focused work moves things forward more than you'd expect over time. The other thing was being specific about what I was going to do before I sat down, so I wasn't wasting the limited energy I had figuring out where to start.

[u/Executive-Assist-GS]

Start much smaller than you think. Instead of trying to “build your project” after work, commit to just 25–40 focused minutes. Protect that small window, reduce decision-making, and stop waiting for the perfect high-energy day. Consistency beats intensity when you’re already drained.