Is the 9-5 grind really the best we can do as women in today's world?

Salam & hi there ♡

I’m Saufiyah.

Welcome to my first “newsletter” or whatever they call it these days to connect with people.

So don’t mind if its a little all over the place.

I know it’ll get better over time.

And I cannot believe over 3,000 people are reading this right now.

Btw if you could reply back to this email, it would help me out a lot! Let me know why you’re here and what you’d like to learn more about.

I figure you’re here for tips on productivity, how to make money from home, or want to start your own business.

Or maybe you just want to get to know me better, which is cool too.

I’ve been told many times I have a magnetic pull in real life ;)

You know, I wanted this first letter to be perfect, packed with a value.

But after drowning in drafts, I realized they all felt… robotic.

Like something ChatGPT would spit out. Not real. Not me.

So here I am, typing away on this flight, letting inspiration flow.

Because the best ideas come when we’re doing a whole lot of nothing.

My Story: The 9-5 Grind and the Awakening

I dreaded hearing the alarm clock every morning at 7am.

I would pray Fajr and almost always sleep in.

Sometimes I would even miss Fajr altogether because I knew I had a job to go to in a few hours. My faith wasn’t the strongest back then.

I was a 21 year old working at a hedge fund with $9 billion under assets.

I was your typical “boss babe” —

Hustling.

And I made bank.

I saved $100,000 in my checking account by the time I was 22.

Soon after I quit my job to start Eternah.

I had zero experience with online businesses and had no plan whatsoever.

I didn’t do the whole niche research thing that everyone tells you to do before starting something.

All I knew was that I wanted to start something Islamic and related to planners.

I was always insanely obsessed with organization and productivity.

My business wasn’t really growing at the time mainly because I had no idea what the heck I was doing.

So here I am —

unemployed

with $100,000 in the bank

trying to start this thing online with no vision and no guidance.

I get bored.

So I delve into day trading since it was all my friends were talking about.

And guess what?

I lost all of my money.

Down to $0.

I got desperate and even started borrowing money from my parents.

I lost $50,000 from there too.

I was officially in debt.

Before you know it I’m back in the 9-5 grind.

Back to survival mode.

In the beginning I thought it was fine.

It was a fully remote coding job.

I didn’t have to go into the office and I was doing work I thought I loved.

Like pffft yeah who likes data analysis (no offense if you do)

And then slowly… you start feeling it.

You start dreading the alarm clock.

The morning commute if you have one (if you live in nyc you know just how nasty, sweaty, and gross rush hour can get)

The projects waiting to be finished.

The work you throw on the back burner because you’re not inspired to do it.

The bathroom breaks that are a breath of fresh air (how ironic).

And that’s when it hit me. Hard.

Why the Traditional 9-5 Isn’t for Us Women

Women don’t belong in a traditional 9-5.

It’s a tough pill to swallow if that’s all you’ve ever known.

But hear me out.

In the early 1900s the typical workday was 10 to 16 hours, 6 days a week. That’s close to 100 hours a week.

Most workers were treated little better than slaves.

In 1926 enter Henry Ford. He was not the first to propose this structure but his implementation of the 9-5 workday was highly influential. He slashed the norm to a more “humane” 40-hour work week for his Ford Motor Company employees.

Why?

Ford had an epiphany – a well-rested worker is a productive worker.

Plus, he figured with more leisure time, his employees would likely become consumers of the very cars they built.

This set the standard to what we know today.

But here’s the catch: The 9-5 was designed in an era so different from today.

Back then the workforce was predominantly male.

And women are biologically very very verrrry different than men.

The 9-5 was designed by men, for men almost a century ago.

It's outdated, rigid, and doesn't consider our unique biological cycles as women.

Women’s bodies are not static.

We do not follow a linear energy path.

Why haven’t we questioned if this 24 hour clock works for us?

We have been forced to fit in this schedule not even knowing if it make sense for our bodies.

Statistics even show that affects our health, well-being and performance. Did you know:

• Women are 50% more likely to experience burnout

• 75% of people with autoimmune disease are women

• 85% of women experience some sort of hormonal imbalances

  • Migraines, hormonal acne, cramping, etc

30% of women have taken a day off work because of their menstrual cycle.

I even did a poll on my Instagram with 10,000 people and it showed that over 60% of women did the same.

Yet, the 9-5 world doesn't acknowledge this.

We need work environments that respect our cycles and our needs as women.

Natural Rhythms of Womanhood: The Menstrual Cycle

Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5):

• Hormones: Estrogen and progesterone levels drop, triggering menstruation

• Energy Levels: Generally lower. It’s a time for rest and reflection

• Productivity: Focus on low-intensity tasks. It’s a good time for planning and organizing rather than high-stress activities

• Foods: Iron-rich foods like spinach, lentils, and red meat are important due to blood loss. Hydrating foods like cucumber and watermelon can help with hydration

Follicular Phase (Days 6-14):

• Hormones: Estrogen peaks just before ovulation, boosting energy.

• Energy Levels: Gradually increasing. You may feel more outgoing and energetic.

• Productivity: Great for starting new projects and brainstorming. Your cognitive skills and creativity are likely enhanced.

• Foods: Balanced meals with a good mix of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Think leafy greens, nuts, and lean meats.

Ovulation Phase (Day 14, approx):

• Hormones: Luteinizing hormone surges, leading to the release of an egg. Estrogen and testosterone peak.

• Energy Levels: Often at their highest. You may feel more confident and social.

• Productivity: Ideal for high-energy tasks, important meetings, and social events.

• Foods: Focus on fiber-rich foods and quality proteins. Avoid processed foods and excessive sugar.

Luteal Phase (Days 15-28):

• Hormones: Progesterone rises, preparing the body for potential pregnancy. Estrogen levels also increase but drop off if pregnancy does not occur.

• Energy Levels: Start high but decrease as you move towards menstruation. Emotional and physical premenstrual symptoms (PMS) may occur.

• Productivity: Good for completing tasks. As energy wanes, shift focus to less demanding activities.

• Foods: Foods rich in magnesium (like almonds and spinach), calcium, and B-vitamins can help alleviate PMS symptoms. Avoid too much caffeine and salty foods that can exacerbate bloating.

These phases are crucial to our well-being, yet the 9-5 life doesn't accommodate them.

Have you ever just had a stressful week and you couldnt explain it?

Yeah. It's time we rethink this.

What's Next?

I'm not here to make you quit your job. Nor cause a mass exodus from the 9-5 life.

But I want you to be aware, to consider that the traditional work structure might be more misaligned with our well-being than we realize.

Our bodies are not just biological systems — they are divine creations intricately designed by The Lord of All Worlds.

It’s our duty to honor and care for our bodies with the natural cycles they follow. And this goes beyond just improving productivity.

It’s about understanding our health and wellness at a deeper level.

By living in sync with our body’s natural patterns, we embrace a lifestyle that nurtures our well-being, rather than work against it.

If you don’t already, I encourage you to start tracking your menstrual cycle.

Pay attention to the changes - physical, emotional, and mental.

You might be surprised at what you discover.

How does your cycle influence your daily life? Your energy levels? Your moods?

Observing these patterns is the first step towards realigning our work, our routines, and our lives, with the true essence of our feminine being.

I created a private community just for us on Discord for more discussions and support all spirituality, femininity, and wealth related.

Join here: http://discord.gg/PxuX7rE5kc

I'm excited (and a bit nervous) to be on this journey with you. Let's see where it takes us!

Until next time.

مع حبي (with love)

— Saufiyah ♡