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Original poster

What would you do if you didn't work?

47 replies

FeelBetterForIt · 16/09/2019 21:59

I'm thinking of people who don't have children that would make them SAHP.

I don't always want to go to work but I do recognise that a large part of my fulfilment and self esteem come from that part of my life. I'm approaching a time where early retirement is a possibility and whilst it's true I'd like more time to do "other" things I can't see where any sense of achievement will come from without paid work and the responsibility that comes with it

When DC were young I had a period of time when I had a very pt job and some volunteering commitments but they weren't at all fulfilling compared to a "proper" job. I found it was hard to take on real responsibility, in either role, on a PT basis.

So I'd like to think about reducing my hours to free more time for other interests but I'm worried that whilst I'll be "busy" there won't be any real purpose to my life.

OP posts:

NoHummus · 17/09/2019 11:43

I would study, travel when I could and I also have a crafty hobby so I'd make more stuff with a view to trying to sell some.

Delatron · 17/09/2019 12:43

But if you don’t like your work then that can also be boring?

Whereas all day (ish) to do as you please?

I’d train for a triathlon. That would be a good few hours a day. House decorating, painting. Dog walks, read books, batch cook. Maybe go to London and visit museums. Volunteer. Get more involved in school. Have a tidy house. Never be stressed....

longearedbat · 17/09/2019 13:18

I retired 6 years ago at 58. Work to me, like some others have said, was a means to an end; I worked to live, not lived to work.
I have so many hobbies and interests I am never bored (although perhaps rather idle at times). I read, garden, paint, draw and design, socialise, exercise, travel; in other words all the things I previously had to cram in to the working day/week/year. I do not miss working one iota.

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soulrunner · 17/09/2019 13:35

In my head I’d morph into some totally jacked, vegan, off grid, insanely well read pillar of the community with a best selling novel and a sub 3:40 marathon time.

In reality I’d probably just scroll through Instagram and drink all day.

Fairylea · 17/09/2019 13:42

I don’t work, my children are school age and I’m fortunate that we don’t have a mortgage or financial worries. Dh works full time because he wants to. I spend my time going for very long walks, watching tv, socialising if I feel like it (not much, I’m quite happy alone really), doing stuff round the house, reading etc. I don’t feel I need to justify myself or my existence by having to do anything particularly meaningful. I don’t volunteer or anything like that. I spend my whole life until about 10 years ago working horrible stressful senior roles in London, dealing with my narcissistic mother at the same time (who had chronic health problems being an only child it all fell to me). So now I just spend my life doing whatever I like and I love it.

BarbedBloom · 17/09/2019 13:46

I am not working at the moment for health reasons. Aside from the usual housework, I paint, read, go to the cinema, write. The usual hobbies I have really. If I was a bit healthier I would probably volunteer. Work just pays the bills for me

bloodywhitecat · 17/09/2019 13:48

My kids are adults and live away from me now. I gave up work earlier this year to foster so I am now at home but also 'working'.

DrCoconut · 17/09/2019 13:52

The headspace of not having to work would be amazing. What to do if I had no kids and enough money to not work? Travel, read, write, study, cook, knit, sew, paint, go swimming, go to the gym, go to concerts, watch films, watch TV, sleep. I could think of more. I would literally never be bored, there's too much to get on with!

Crustytoenail · 17/09/2019 13:56

It depends on my financial situation really. If I needed to retire due to ill health or something, then the finances wouldn't really stretch to what I would like to do. But I'd have the time to really sort my garden out, and the house, a bit at a time and as I'd have more time be able to make or revamp things to decorate/accessories. I'd also rescue a big dog, a German shepherd or golden retriever, because I'd have the time to rehabilitate properly. I'd cook a lot more, read a lot more and probably have a tidy House!
If money were no option and I was fit and healthy, I'd be taking animals in that need a home. Horses and dogs mainly, and working with them to try and give them a good life. I'd buy myself a great big shire or Clydesdale to ride around the countryside on and have a gaggle of old crocs and unwanted ponies and horses - and try and make it accessible for kids whose parents can't afford ponies but who loves horses. I was one such kid, and someone did it for me and I'm eternally grateful.

Oliversmumsarmy · 17/09/2019 14:08

I was bored shitless when I worked in an office.

Gave up work, tried loads of other jobs and businesses untill I found one that I enjoyed and was good at.

milliefiori · 17/09/2019 14:17

I work P/T through choice. I do some volunteering (from PTA and playgroups when DC were small to food bank now) I exercise (anything in the past from running C25K and bootcamp to boxing training, kayaking, flow yoga) I very occasionally do crafty stuff like up-cycling or reupholstering furniture, making cushions and clothes, painting canvases for DC's bedrooms - but that's not really my thing so not often. Lots of cooking and baking. We rarely eat convenience food unless I'm very busy at work. Lots of time with DC - cycling, hiking, visiting cities, exhibitions, gigs and shows. I read, go for lots of walks with friends, belong to a writers' group. It's a good life, I know. I panic at the thought of working full time.

missbattenburg · 17/09/2019 14:25

I took eight months off work a little while back - an extended break between jobs just because I could and because my last job had been very stressful so I wanted to recharge.

I thought I would be bored. In reality the time flew by and my days were constantly full. Sometimes social things, some volunteering, some voluntary study, some just getting housey jobs done, some reading, some gardening, lots of dog walking etc.

I had a blast and would LOVE to be able to afford to live that permanently.

Holpop19 · 17/09/2019 18:14

-Start up horse riding again
-Home renovation
-Go on nice holidays and camping trips
-Train for something ridiculous like an iron man or marathon

gardening
spend quality time with my DCs and family making amazing memories
charity work

This is obviously assuming I won the lottery and money was no object.
I'm very proud of my job and enjoy it but I would give it up tomorrow if I didn't have to work!

SimonJT · 17/09/2019 18:17

I would get back into rugby, the team I played for didn’t pay quite enough to quit my main job, so I had no choice but to stop rugby as I couldn’t justify childcare four evenings a week and every saturday.

Hemlock2013 · 17/09/2019 18:28

I am self employed so can jig work around sometimes and get a day or part day to myself. I go for long dog walks with my earphones in and listening to music. Crochet, see, clean, organise, read, garden. Cry about how amazing it is to have time to myself. Meet friends for lunch or coffee. Could use a bit more free time to fit in gym or yoga as do nothing like that currently.

I’d fill the time no worries 😬

Littlepond · 17/09/2019 18:33

I’d sort my house out. Go to the gym. Take up a hobby or three. I’d give up work in a heartbeat if it were financially viable! I’d write a book and grow stuff in the garden. I’d drink gin and tonic with lunch. I’d learn to drive. I’d visit friends and family. Be a volunteer reader at the local school.
And sometimes I’d just sit. Read a book, watch TV, drink coffee, eat home made cake.

BackforGood · 17/09/2019 21:42

I cant imagine being bored, when you have the freedom to choose what you are doing?
I have a list as long as my arm of things I want to do, and every day I'm always thinking of more

This ^

I guess some of it is to do with your age and what you have already achieved in life and how long you have been working, to some extent.

I have many retired friends who have no idea how they ever fitted in going to work. I don't believe any of them are bored in the slightest.

Delatron · 17/09/2019 21:49

Yes the ‘I’d be so bored out of my brain if I didn’t have work’ argument I find so perplexing. There’d be so much to do, it would be the opposite of boring.

elastamum · 17/09/2019 21:53

I am actively considering retiring next year. I plan to buy another horse and spend my time riding, gardening and walking the dog. Can't wait.

drivingtofrance · 17/09/2019 21:59

I'm a SAHM but my DS is 21

DH works. He likes to work.

I do all the household stuff. Car stuff. Holiday stuff. I have recently been very busy decorating though which takes up a lot of time.

I have time to go to the gym, watch tv, have an afternoon nap, cook, lunch with friends, learn a language. I do whatever I like really.

Never bored.

chipsandgin · 17/09/2019 22:00

I would love life! Go to the gym, meet up with friends, travel, make my house a lovely place to be, paint/sculpt/make pottery, get enough sleep, read. I can only imagine how amazing that would be. I’d like to think I’d do something altruistic & worthwhile - maybe after a couple of years of all of the above.. ;)

Sarahlou63 · 17/09/2019 22:07

I gave up work when I was 43. I get up at 6.30, feed all the animals, pick up 6 wheelbarrows full of horse poo, repair fences, clear land, manage volunteers, bake, clean, shop, do admin, try to learn Portuguese (still crap after 12 years), write and work on my fledgling business. Seven days a week. Very, very lucky to be supported in everything by a partner who works FT.

Love it!!

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