Where did this idea come from that a good life is one in which you spend 8-10 hours a day half-assing something, then the rest of your waking moments drinking and/or watching TV? It may be that few would consciously argue that is a good life, but people complain about work, and when they are done, they vegetate, all too often for 3-4 hours, in front of inane programming. This is, I think, reasonably typical.
I don’t get TV in any form. I have an antenna, but never bought the converter box. And I forget that I don’t have it. Sometimes when I am travelling and stuck in a hotel room I will watch it, and there is no doubt some programs are worth watching. I saw an excellent one on Buddhism a couple weeks ago.
But what is wrong with not only accepting but being happy in the idea that you can spend 8-10 hours doing good, useful work somewhere, then another 4-6 developing your body, mind and spirit? People used to work 12-16 hour days all the time. Were they less happy than us? Research seems to be clear that most people are actually happier at work than they are at home, even though the crappy ideas about work most of us have been fed frequently blind people to that fact.
Work is dignified. It is honorable. It is creative. Ultimately, the type and quality of work you do is illustrative of who you are choosing to become. It shows your character, or lack thereof.
I don’t doubt that when we die, some of our lazy days come to mind, but I don’t think you can ever fully appreciate a lazy day without earning it with a lot of hard days.
And as far as that goes, work need not be unpleasant. If you take an approach to it of walking steadily, rather than running in bursts, then pausing to catch your breath, you can cover many, many enjoyable miles.