To ask WHY you work

To support my family, provide the best life I can for my DC and afford hobbies that I'll never be skilled/talented enough at for them to be a means of supporting myself, but which bring me joy.

I work hard and earn well and i love being able to say "yes of course you can have oboe lessons" and to choose freely in the supermarket, to enjoy lovely holidays together, to never worry if we can afford the next size up in school uniform. Financial security really reduces my stress levels

I was pondering this whilst driving home last night, the radio was on in the car and someone won something obscene like half a million pounds and i contemplated what i would do if that were me.

And the conclusion that I reached is that I would continue to work in my current role. It gives me a lot more than just a salary, it's a role I got in to through volunteering so there was already a drive and a passion there. It gives me a challenge, it gives me an additional purpose, and it's something I genuinely care about. Half a million would be life changing but not enough to retire on (we're in our 30s, kids, including one with disabilities)but if i won the euro millions, I'd probably continue my job on a voluntary basis if i didnt need the salary, albeit on less hours and with less responsibility/stress!

Me too. I actually hope to go on after retirement age

Money. I have a cushty job and earn good money so I am hugely fortunate not to be slogging my guts but I work because the fun things cost money.

For the money but I do feel it’s important for humans to have a role in society and community.

I go to work for money. That’s it.

I don't currently.

Middle aged and recently had some health issues (lost some hearing suddenly, and now have tinnitus which has led to severe insomnia and couldn't function - I ended up quitting in a panic 3 months ago)

Not sure what to do. My old boss called yesterday to 'touch base' but I have no desire to go back that job or any job atm. Thankfully no dependents. I can afford to be off for the rest of the year but no idea what 2026 will bring. Can't afford to retire at 41 but have completely lost my spark :(

Money (am a single parent)
Purpose
Structure
The feeling of being connected to people
Fear of retirement - has never looked attractive to me

For money to live. However i do work in a job i do enjoy that can be very rewarding. I’d still not work if i won the lottery though! I agree with others i had a little time off when i came back from travelling in my 20s and no routine just for a couple of weeks did me no favours at all. So yeah we do need structure.

because i cant get a job on the hours i want at the rate i want unless i do the specific hours i want.
i am hoping to at some point to reduce my hours but i am reliant on my employer allowing me to reduce my hours, needs of the service need to be taken into consideration and it doesnt look hopeful

I work because I can't live on fresh air alone, that's the only reason.

Money but also to be a role model for my children. It also provides me with a sense of purpose and wellbeing as my work gives something valuable to society as a whole. I work in public protection and risk management.

Money for a good retirement, sense of purpose, holidays and dignity - there’s no dignity in sloth.

Money. Husband’s salary covers our expenses. Having mine allows us to travel, save, potentially buy another property. We both plan to be retired in our early 50s.
My mum never worked, I love having my own money.

To contribute to society. To do something interesting and challenging. To support myself and family.

We are at an age where we don’t ‘need’ to work but we do due to the first two factors. We believe that if you can work and contribute, you should work, so we do. That’s how we brought our children up also. For me that meant swapping jobs as the career I’d had for decades wasn’t really compatible at all certain age, so I swapped for something where my bum could be parked on a seat, and the hours would be more like a standard working week. DH didn’t need to make adjustments as his was always a desk based job. We’ll keep going until we physically can’t due to some kind of ill health. That’s also what everyone’s know does so it’s normal in our circles.

Money, I was a SAHM with one school aged child briefly, quite frankly I was bored rigid and missed the mental stimulation but 20 odd years later and being in my early 60s I am so over working. I could find a zillion other things to keep me entertained.

Luckily my job is still bearable as I work for a good organisation and to some extent I still find my job enjoyable.

Purely for the money. We’re lucky that I don’t need to work FT. I do two (albeit very long) shifts a week and spend the rest of the time with my toddler - second child on the way. I love this balance and absolutely couldn’t work 5 days per week with young children and miss out on their childhood, but appreciate we’re in the lucky position of being able to afford this. But we couldn’t afford for me to not work at all.

God knows why I'm still working.
I'm a front line NHS clinician, been qualified 35 years.
I don't need the money as DH has worked hard to support us and financially we are sorted.
I get abuse off the public who have been waiting far longer than they should have and also because we no longer have the resources to provide the care they expect.
I get pressure off the managers to work ever harder.
The other day I realised that I am the oldest in our Trust by several years.
I guess I carry on doing it because I feel I am helping but I'm going to retire soon as I've just had enough of the stress. Finally putting my family first.

Honestly? I feel like the fisherman and the real answer IS "for money". I worked part-time, the minimum I had to work to afford the lifestyle I wanted, because there are a million other more interesting things I'd rather be doing. Note that my job was not something like doctor (ie it's not essential for society or intrinsically worthy or motivating).

in an imaginary scenario where you don’t need to work for money, you could have routine and purpose without a job though, couldn’t you?

Not aimed at you, but I find it pretty sad people can’t imagine having purpose without a job.

Money. Having to earn a living really gets in the way of my life. If I could, I’d never work a day in my life again.

I don’t even want to be “rich” I just want to have enough to live on and get a chippy tea once a month.

Money and mental health i need the routine and purpose

4, 2 and 0! So I appreciate I’m in the thick of it. I have managed to enjoy my job when I have returned from my previous two maternity leaves, but now wondering how on earth I’ll juggle it all. I know many women do, so I hope I can too.

How old are your children?
Work bringing a sense of purpose - especially if your work is socially useful beyond just meaning you pay tax etc - comes into it's own again as your children become adults.

I work for money, I’d rather spend my time reading and gardening.