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Original poster

To wish I didn’t work

137 replies

Iwishididntwork · 25/01/2026 14:34

I only actually work two days a week at the moment but in some ways that makes it harder because I’m not in work enough to feel a proper part of things but also have a tendency to be treated like a SAHM at home.

I just wish I didn’t work (but that my child still attended nursery for a couple of days …) I have this whole fantasy Monday of dropping children at school / nursery and then going to the gym, going a food shop, getting the house clean and tidy, ready for the week ahead.

I don’t massively enjoy my job which I think doesn’t help (I think there’s an element of having been doing it too long but I am stuck as I earn too much to do anything else!(

Many MNetters seem fulfilled by their jobs. Am I the only lazy arse out there?

OP posts:
neverwakeasleepingbaby · 25/01/2026 16:05

Passaggressfedup · 25/01/2026 15:41

You really need to hear yourself. You have a home, a husband that mai ly supports you financially, a child, which appears healthy, no financial issues and you feel hats dine by because you sont have a day just fir yourself? Come on.

How about feeling grateful for all the above instead? Start focusing on how lucky you are rather than feeling sorry for yourself and you'll find your life very enjoyable.

Sorry but this isn’t helpful.

One can be grateful for their lot but still crave time alone to focus on themselves and to enjoy the simple things in life.
Young children are incredibly demanding and it’s all too common to put yourself bottom of the list each and every day, to the extent where you lose yourself. Time to yourself is a basic need and it shouldn’t be dismissed.

I was like you OP (although I do enjoy my job). But now I work 3 days a week and my son is in nursery for 4 days a week (for the last 6 months), so I have Fridays to myself. I have a 4 year old and 2 year old. The 4 year old is in school.
As you say, I take time to make batch cooked meals, I do some gardening, I paint my nails, I meet friends for coffee. It’s only 6 hours a week but I feel completely rejuvenated afterwards.
If you can afford it, even if only on an ad hoc basis, I would highly recommend it. It’s saved me from depression.

OddBoots · 25/01/2026 15:56

How do you see your day to day life in 5 years, in 10 years? Is this a short term thing or is there a longer issue?

District66 · 25/01/2026 15:46

Iwishididntwork · 25/01/2026 15:25

I’ve over another year to get to that point @JLou08 . Just feels like such a slog, I’m either at work or have a very young child with me. Life feels so exhausting and in all honesty a bit joyless.

It’s not what you want to hear, but I would give anything to have mine in a push chair accompanying me everywhere
You’ll miss it one day

Samanthajane5 · 25/01/2026 15:44

Iwishididntwork · 25/01/2026 14:34

I only actually work two days a week at the moment but in some ways that makes it harder because I’m not in work enough to feel a proper part of things but also have a tendency to be treated like a SAHM at home.

I just wish I didn’t work (but that my child still attended nursery for a couple of days …) I have this whole fantasy Monday of dropping children at school / nursery and then going to the gym, going a food shop, getting the house clean and tidy, ready for the week ahead.

I don’t massively enjoy my job which I think doesn’t help (I think there’s an element of having been doing it too long but I am stuck as I earn too much to do anything else!(

Many MNetters seem fulfilled by their jobs. Am I the only lazy arse out there?

Get a job helping others maybe? I used to work in a back, hated it.

I now work in a job helping young people (not a school). The feeling of me having some worth in other peoples lives, makes me like my job

Passaggressfedup · 25/01/2026 15:41

You really need to hear yourself. You have a home, a husband that mai ly supports you financially, a child, which appears healthy, no financial issues and you feel hats dine by because you sont have a day just fir yourself? Come on.

How about feeling grateful for all the above instead? Start focusing on how lucky you are rather than feeling sorry for yourself and you'll find your life very enjoyable.

SofromJantoaprilwerejustindoorsyeah · 25/01/2026 15:39

Feel exactly the same, work part time so I know I should be grateful, was fulfilled in my career before having Dd, now its just something I have to do-hate it!

Clubbiscuit · 25/01/2026 15:31

If I won the lottery, I’d never work again.

CheeseSconeGirl · 25/01/2026 15:28

I used the have every Friday off, shop, clean, laundry,gym.
DC in school
I loved it!

Original poster
Iwishididntwork · 25/01/2026 15:25

jetlag92 · 25/01/2026 15:08

I really like my job.

Can you up child's nursery, still work 2 days a week, but still have a day to yourself?

I might consider that next year. It’s money.

OP posts:
Original poster
Iwishididntwork · 25/01/2026 15:25

I’ve over another year to get to that point @JLou08 . Just feels like such a slog, I’m either at work or have a very young child with me. Life feels so exhausting and in all honesty a bit joyless.

OP posts:
jetlag92 · 25/01/2026 15:08

I really like my job.

Can you up child's nursery, still work 2 days a week, but still have a day to yourself?

JLou08 · 25/01/2026 15:00

My youngest started Reception last September. I've carried on with part time hours. I'm living the dream every Monday when I drop him off at school then do whatever I want!
I'm not fulfilled by my job. I was until I got to mid 30s but now it's just a means to an end. I think it's the same for the majority of people. Most of us work to pay the bills, not because it's fulfilling. I think a lot of people lie to themselves that it is fulfilling to make it more bearable.

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