I think that work starts the moment we choose to accept responsibility and cessates when we hand the reigns of our mind and body off to someone else. So if "work" is ceaseless from childhood till death, or a state of functionality just shy of that, then maybe the idea of work isn't about when we start and stop working but when do we decide between work as a necessary part of our life or if we're engaged in "life's work"? I would hope for the latter. Achieving balance seems more natural with this mindset.
I think that work starts the moment we choose to accept responsibility and cessates when we hand the reigns of our mind and body off to someone else. So if "work" is ceaseless from childhood till death, or a state of functionality just shy of that, then maybe the idea of work isn't about when we start and stop working but when do we decide between work as a necessary part of our life or if we're engaged in "life's work"? I would hope for the latter. Achieving balance seems more natural with this mindset.