#1 Minimum-Wage Workers Shouldn't Expect To Live Like They're Making $100,000 A Year. But Being Able To Afford Basic Necessities Shouldn't Require A Six-Figure Salary Either
Complaining about work is hardly a modern invention. In fact, more than 3,000 years ago, workers in ancient Egypt organized what is considered the first recorded labor strike after their payment, which came in the form of food rations, was delayed.
Even in ancient Rome, people had to endure arduous commutes, much like we do today. Clearly, the struggle to earn a living has been around for a very long time.
Of course, just because work has always been difficult doesn’t mean we should simply put up with poor conditions and unreasonable expectations.
After all, speaking up about unfair treatment is how workers have won many of the rights we enjoy today. Besides, modern employment comes with a whole new set of headaches that didn’t exist in the past.
For starters, simply finding a job can feel like an impossible mission. According to a 2026 survey by United Way, job seekers submitted an average of 63 applications before landing just five interviews.
Nearly 80% said the search had left them feeling burned out. And honestly, it’s not difficult to see why when you consider how much time goes into tailoring resumes and preparing for interviews, often without hearing anything back.
To make matters worse, there’s no certainty that the positions people apply for are even real. A 2026 Resume Genius survey found that 67% of American job seekers had encountered fake or misleading job advertisements.
Some companies post so-called ghost jobs despite having no immediate intention of hiring anyone, leaving applicants wasting hours on opportunities that might never materialize.
For those who do make it through the application process, there can still be several rounds of interviews before an employer finally makes a decision.
#13 The Lazy Ones Are The Ones Who Are The Loudest And Go Around Creeping Around Managers
Unfortunately, getting hired is only half the battle. Once you’ve secured a position, there’s the question of how long you’ll get to keep it, particularly with artificial intelligence changing the workplace.
A September 2026 Gallup survey found that 27% of American workers worried technology could soon make their jobs obsolete, nearly double the percentage recorded in 2017. Meanwhile, another Gallup report found that 21% of employees said their employers were reducing their workforce in early 2026.
#18 Nobody Really Tells You How Much Your Idea Of Success Can Change As You Get Older
Even if your position is relatively secure, there’s still the actual work to get through. Between long hours and the pressure to stay productive, it’s hardly surprising that so many employees feel drained.
According to Gallup’s 2026 State of the Global Workplace report, 40% of workers worldwide experienced significant stress during the previous day. When you spend so much of your time working, finding enough energy for everything else can become a struggle of its own.
