I didn't work too hard in my 20s, but absolutely did in my 30s. In my 20s, my work week was roughly 40-50 hours at software startups. I very, very, very worke

I didn't work too hard in my 20s, but absolutely did in my 30s. In my 20s, my work week was roughly 40-50 hours at software startups. I very, very, very worked late or on weekends. I had few obligations outside of work, so I had plenty of time to pursue interests, get outdoors, hang out with friends, etc. By my 30s, I was married and had a kid. I was still in startups, but in positions of higher responsibility. By the end of my thirties, no hour or day seemed sacred and 50-60 hour weeks were the norm. When my son was young, I dropped him off at school and kissed him goodnight in the evening. My wife, who also worked full time, shouldered more than her fair share of the child care load. We finally decided to sell the house in the burbs and move to the city. My commute shrank by an hour each way and being close to home meant I could do school drop off AND participate in after school activities since school, parks, athletic fields, etc. were all a 15 minute WALK from my office. Now, I'm in my mid-forties. After the startup I was a VP at was acquired, I've lived the big company lifestyle. Most importantly, I'm back to 40-45 hour weeks and feeling far more balanced in my life. My job lets me take the time to spend with my family and doesn't interrupt my nights and weekends, despite still being in a position of higher responsibility. If I could do any era over, it'd be my 30s. I basically missed ages 1-4 for my son and was not a great husband/partner for my wife.