If you're not really an office or 9 to 5 sort of person, what do you do?

[Quotidian]

I've always worked in professional jobs, both corporate and government. Although I've done a decent job of them I've never enjoyed any of the jobs I've done and I'm starting to think it's me, not the jobs. My current workplace is lovely but I still don't like it. I just don't enjoy the environment of offices and the expectations of 9 to 5 jobs - the smalltalk, the office politics, the obsession with procedure and the endless emails about nothing. I'd love to do something different, but I can't really think what. I'm not in an industry where freelancing is really a thing and I'm starting to think of all sorts of ideas - opening up a cafe, teaching English online, anything at all. I'd love to still make a decent amount of money though and this is what's probably kept me in a series of jobs I dislike!

Have you made a break from the 9 to 5 life and gone out on a limb and done something different? Would love to hear some stories because at present I feel stuck in a rut and can't really imagine doing this for another 30-40 years.

I'm a train driver. Love shift work most of the time. Love nights and lates. Not a fan of super early starts anymore. Getting up at 2am is tough now I'm getting older 😂

I like having days off in the week too.

Sitting on my own most of the day has made me a bit intolerant of others sometimes though 😬

Interesting question OP.

I've heard it's very competitive to get into train driving as it's quite a well-paid profession!

I suppose what I'm thinking of is a departure from the lifestyle of a salaried job, or perhaps a salaried job that's looser and flexible. One of my friends works for a marketing and design studio and travels all over the world, working from wherever she feels like. But the creative industries seem so difficult to break into and make a living out of.

I could go part time in my job - that'd provide more balance, but ultimately I'd love to forge a different path entirely.

And I just use 9 to 5 as an example of the structure and monotonous routine I dislike of most jobs - I don't suppose working night shifts is any better!

I used to work with people with mild/moderate learning difficulties in supported living accommodation. Could get loads of hours in one shift if you’re on site for 24 hours plus. Got to take clients on holidays, trips out, shopping, cooking etc. I thought I would get bored but I actually really enjoyed it (ended up a manager) and I only gave up because I had 2 small children. Every day was different.

My brilliant babysitter cobbles together a pretty good income from babysitting, air bnbing, hosting foreign students, and dog walking.. She's a real people person though.. I can see her fostering when she gets older (early 20s now)

One of the grans at school did one on one English language teaching - she really loved it and made quite good money (well, enough)..