People, I just need to get this out there, and I need a reality check. I’m a Tech VA (29M), currently juggling two full-time clients.

• Job A (AU): 7AM - 4PM. I’m a solo tech person here. Fixed salary (60k per month), the environment is okay but not that great. I’ve only been here for about nine months. My bosses are nice.

• Job B (UK): 3PM - 11PM. High-paying role compared to Job A but it’s a startup and the situation is a bit ‘shaky’ right now. I’ve only been here for three months. Double the salary of Job A.

Basically, I’m in front of a monitor for 16 hours a day. Just sleep, wake up, work. But since both jobs don’t have a time tracker, I can go out to do some errands.

My goal is to get the townhouse I'm currently paying off. PAGIBIG's requirement for those with foreign employers is to have been with the current employer for at least 1 year (which will happen in April 2026 for Job A). My downpayment on the townhouse will be completed in May 2026, then after that saka pa lang makakapag process ng loan with PAGIBIG.

Problem is, it's the first working day of the year but my back is starting to give out. I felt this pain around December, due to prolonged sitting. I was checked and I need to undergo physical therapy sessions.

If you were in my situation, what would you do? Is it still worth continuing? Or is this a sign that I need to let go of one of my jobs before I completely burn out or end up in the hospital? Help your boy out. Real talks are welcome!

  • first mo gawin pacheck up ka muna. then after mo malaman result and then u decide

    parent

  • Get a standing desk or an ergonomic chair. Do core exercises when you can.

    Honestly, napakafixable ng problem mo..

    parent

  • Hi, I am not a doctor just a chronic doom scroller in the internet. I have the same issue before since my work demands me to sit at longer hours. I decided to work out. Using weights had alleviate the pain. I worked my back and my abs. I'd say for beginners, just train full body workouts and no need to lift heavy. I read somewhere that we need to train our muscles especially sa likod to have a proper support. always stretch or incroporate this stretching yung na tatarget yung back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AeojB3Nphg Also, get something mga body braces or parang waist trainer, to train and or fix your posture. I'm not really sure if severe na yung condition mo. In my case tolerable pa yung pain. also shouout sa 2 jobs mo, if you need assistance message me! I am very much in need of a side hustle.

    parent

    Salamat bro chineck ko to, sobrang helpful!

    parent root

  • Tuloy!!

    bumili ka upuan na matino, wag mo tipirin. bumili ka din ng motorized desk, ergonomic na mouse and keyboard. makabawas sa backpain at maprevent yung injury sa wrist mo

    Sihoo M57 for chair
    motorized desk (every hour tumayo ka habang nagwowork)
    get a keyboard layout that does not twist your wrist too much. (I recommend alice layout)

    Invest on things that separate you from the ground (shoes, chair, bed, etc).

    parent

  • Pacheck up ka muna. If all’s well, prioritize movement. Kahit nasa harap ng computer, may table risers na. Since wala din naman time tracker sila clients, mag workout ka kahit 30 mins lang. Health is definitely wealth.

    parent

  • Thanks everyone! Mukhang wake up call lang talaga to para maging physically fit pa rin kahit busy! And invest na rin sa ergonomic work station. Will buy standing desk and ergo chair po as most of you recommended. Pati walking pad haha

    Really appreciate you all!! Happy new year 🫶

    parent

  • I suggest replace your home office set-up. Kumuha ng sit/stand desk and under desk walking (treadmill) pad? Sa daytime shift mo nakatayo ka to avoid prolonged periods of sitting.

    parent

  • Health mo macompromise jan. Need mo talaga i-give up isa jan. I will prefer Job A for job security. Then tipid tipid na lang muna. Mas mahal magkasakit.

    parent

  • Reminder: Read the r/buhaydigital subreddit rules and check if somebody has already asked your question using the search bar.

    Please checked the pinned posts for answers to typical questions like: - Where do I start? - Where do I find work/clients? - Is this a scam? - How to pay taxes? - Basic WFH laptop specs? - VA Agencies? - Recommended Payment Platforms, etc.

    If your post is found to be repetitive or against the rules, they will be removed.

    For those looking to hire, get hired or just have a casual chat, go to the Buhay Digital Job Board & Networking - Discord Channel.

    I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

    parent

  • Gaano ka high paying is high paying??

    parent

    Edited the post. “High” is relative. Just mentioned it in comparison with Job A.

    parent root

  • Yung sahod ko nasa 50% lang ng Job A mo, tas nakaupo ng at least 6 hours straight. Haha yung likod ko sobrang sniff and fragile hahahahaha nagresign ako after just 6 months. Hayp na yan

    parent

  • Exercise. Stretching. Walking.

    parent

  • mukang need mo lang magupgrade from your plastic monoblock chair

    parent

  • Mas Okay to try Ergonomic Chair instead of Gaming Chair

    parent

  • Light work out lang boss. Tapos better chair. Tapos tayo ka din every other hour tapos stretching ka, it helps, ganun din ako halos 16hrs din naka upo.

    parent

  • Invest on a zero gravity workstation.

    You can do DIY.

    A good recliner. Tapos work station set up na lang. Cheaper alternative are standing desk tapos monitor and keyboard mounts.

    Edit:
    I had sciatic pains back in 2019. I worked out (1-2 hrs, 3-5x a week) and it went away on its own. Im sure yours is a different case. Have it checked but theres no harm asking kung ano pwede istrengthen sa core mo to address any backpain.

    Examples of zero gravity station for your reference:

    DIY/cheap ones
    Budget Economy Zero Gravity Workstation and Chair
    The ultimate DIY recliner workstation 
    Rolling Recliner Workstation on a budget. Work in Relaxed and Comfortable Position (Part 3)

    Youtube Search
    diy zero gravity workstation - YouTube

    parent

  • You mentioned na you can go out and do errands. I suggest you do walking (1hr) or jogging (20-30mins) even every other day. If you need therapy, inform your clients. For sure they'll understand. Invest ka din dun sa table na tumataas so pwede ka mag work ng nakatayo. Invest in a better gaming chair instead of an ergonomic office chair. Stretch ka or tayo tayo ka every now and then. Drink multivitamins as well.

    parent

  • try mo mag-yoga OP, dami sa youtube. Effective sya for stretching at masakit na likod imo

    parent

  • Do all of the advices from above. Invest on the things that separate you from the ground and then do some exercises. Then I think you should outsource some part of your job na kahit 4 hours from of it can be out sourced malaking tulong na yan.

    parent

  • Buy an ergo table OP. Samahan mo na din ng walkpad. But best to consult a doctor din. I have sciatica and coccydynia and this helps talaga. Hopefully ergo din ang chair mo. Walang magreresign gat di natagos sa pader. Chareng. Nugabest din works for me. Pag di kaya hinihiga ko talaga. Itong mga ergo eme ang pinag ipunan ko when I started sa freelancing kasi I have back problems. Nung nakaraan stiff neck naman kasi lipat lipat ako ng tingin sa dalawang monitor. Kumuha ako ng mas malapad n monitor. Ayun. Problem solved.

    parent

  • You should invest in a walking pad and an adjustable desk so you can walk while working (that's what I did when I didn't have enough time noon). I also recommend you have a gym membership and lift weights 3X/week and do meal prepping to save some time. It's really impo. for remote workers like us to have a physical activity para healthy pa rin tayo. Walang kwenta ang malaking sahod if health mo kapalit

    parent

  • Ergonomic chair, ergonomic standing table, samahan mo nadin ng ergonomic mouse and keyboard.

    Take a break din from time to time and do some stretching and take a walk around your house. Do some lifting to develop your muscles.

    parent

  • Tuloy mopo , ako na naghahanap ng work na wala man lang tumanggap

    parent

    Laban lang boss, papalag din yan

    parent root

  • Pacheck up ka muna. Sakin Kaya sumakit ung back and neck ko kasi daw dahil sa work buong araw nakababad sa laptop. Hindi ko magalaw yung neck ko sa sakit. Kaya pinag therapy ako ng doctor. Sobrang stiffed na daw ng muscles ko sabi nung therapist nung nag start na ako ng session.

    parent

    Kumusta ka ngayon boss? Hope ayos na!

    parent root

    Okay na. After four sessions hindi na sumasakit and naigagalaw ko na din neck ko. Pero continuous pa din hanggang mag loosen na ung muscles. Wala din kasi akong exercise. May mga stretching din na papagawa sayo para magawa mo din at home.

    parent root

  • Buy standing desk and a treadmill

    parent

  • Hi op. Have almost the same situation as yours. Tho before i work 18 hrs🥴. Now 13 hrs na lang since naghanap ako ibang work. 2 FT jobs. Real estate. Since im scared to experience sciatica like my mom did. Patayo tayo ako. And then bumili Treadmill. But i get bored and depressed. I go for walks at least 30mins to an hour sa labas. Stretching din. I set alarms to 15 or 30 mins to stand up. My set up is not perfect but it helps move around. But since may pain ka na better have that checked too.

    parent

    Thank you! Im undergoing PT sessions na po. Hope you are doing good na boss!

    parent root

  • Psalm 127:2.

    Up to you. Health is wealth. Ingat sir.

    parent

  • since ure in tech why not leverage AI to automate everything

    parent

  • Get a good ergonomic chair, OP! Your back will thank you

    parent

  • Back problem is a sign of stress daw.

    parent

  • Sorry to ask it here pero san po kayo nag apply for the au client? 😌

    parent