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Original poster

Would you work if you didn't have to?

55 replies

TooHotToTangoToo · 04/10/2022 12:57

Just say waiting to pick my dd up and I'm musing.

I've worked since I was 16 (I'm now 50). I've made some good choices re work and a bit of luck means I'm in a job that's flexible, I enjoy and it pays well. But I do get the usual Sunday evening stress feeling.

I'm hoping to retire in 8 years time so putting a fair bit into a pension each month. Due to the cost of living rises I may have to reduce the amount I pay into my pension, which fills me with dread as this means I'll have to work longer.

I hear people say they'd still work if they won the lottery, or they love their job and it doesn't feel like work, I think I've got a good deal with my job but there's no way in this Earth I'd work longer than I had to. The thought makes me anxious.

OP posts:
ArcticSkewer · 04/10/2022 13:25

Work, no. Volunteer, yes.
I like being busy and feeling useful but work isn't how I would choose to spend my time

ShitlandIslands · 04/10/2022 13:25

It depends on the circumstances.

If I was independently financially wealthy (like a lottery win), then absolutely not.

But not working and being dependent on another person for your finances is quite a different matter. DP earns more than enough for both of us. I could give up work if I wanted to now. But I wouldn't because (a) its risky to be dependent on another person for all your money, (b) its not fair on DP to expect him to continue working while I just fanny about all day, and (c) I'd have less self-respect and I think DP would respect me less too.

DirectionToPerfection · 04/10/2022 13:27

TeeBee · 04/10/2022 13:20

Yes I would. I love my job and would go up the wall mentally if I didn't have something to stimulate my brain. Cleaning the house and popping off for coffee mornings just wouldn't swing it for me. I know...I've done it! I stayed at home with my kids when they were little and slowly went insane.

It's not a binary choice between job v coffee and cleaning though.

There are so many things you could do to stimulate yourself, without the restrictions and stresses of a typical job.

Learning new skills, volunteering, travelling, taking up a sport, writing a book, learning a language, mentoring someone, etc, etc.

Having freedom over my own time and not having to answer to a boss would be wonderful.

Mammed · 04/10/2022 13:27

Depends on how much money I had

If it was enough to live lavishly, travel and shop with all my spare time then absolutely not.

if it was enough to live as I do now just without working then I'd probably get a part time job or else volunteer part time.
Don't have many hobbies apart from eating and Netflix so I'd end up the size of a house without something else to fill the hours. 😂

StJeanDeVence · 04/10/2022 13:28

Although I might do a few hours a week in my local bookshop. I used to work in a bookshop years ago and it was always my favourite job. But generally I agree that people who think they'd be bored not working are displaying a serious lack of imagination. Work gets in the way of life.

ShitlandIslands · 04/10/2022 13:28

I also think there's a moral element to this too.

Someone with millions and millions in the bank who doesn't need to work shouldn't be hogging jobs that other people actually need. I've made this argument about retirement before but got shouted down 😬

KylieCharlene · 04/10/2022 13:31

I'd work a couple of days a week - but not in my current high stress role.

TroysMammy · 04/10/2022 13:33

If you'd asked me that question a year ago I would have said yes but would reduce my hours or I'd work ad hoc. Ask me today and the answer would be no chance.

jackstini · 04/10/2022 13:33

No

I would volunteer, travel, walk, meet friends, see family and lots of other things

Work - no (am 50 and been working since 15)

Mammed · 04/10/2022 13:34

ShitlandIslands · 04/10/2022 13:28

I also think there's a moral element to this too.

Someone with millions and millions in the bank who doesn't need to work shouldn't be hogging jobs that other people actually need. I've made this argument about retirement before but got shouted down 😬

I actually thought this about the summer job that Lady Louise Windsor had at a garden centre... on one hand I thought it was great that she was learning the concept of working for a living etc but on the other hand I know a lot of teenagers struggle like hell to find a summer job.

Babdoc · 04/10/2022 13:34

I loved my job for 36 years (hospital doctor) but retired at 61 because I was so pissed off with the endless bureaucracy getting in the way of actually treating patients.
I used to anaesthetise 20 patients a day on my general surgical operating list.
After the introduction of a lengthy checklist, which had to be repeated six times by various nurses, receptionists, orderlies and doctors between the ward and the operating table, plus the whole list having to stop for half an hour if the anaesthetic nurse had no lunch cover (we weren’t allowed to use an actual anaesthetic colleague with 60 years’ experience between us instead!) we only got through five patients a day.
The final straw for me was the Trust managers insisting that all doctors (including consultant dermatologists!) had to submit to a compulsory annual examination of their skin by a… wait for it… secretary - with one hour’s training, to check for industrial dermatitis!
I still miss the feeling of being useful, but I could never work in such frustrating conditions being micromanaged by people with no medical training trying to justify their existence by endless interference.

TeeBee · 04/10/2022 13:35

DirectionToPerfection · 04/10/2022 13:27

It's not a binary choice between job v coffee and cleaning though.

There are so many things you could do to stimulate yourself, without the restrictions and stresses of a typical job.

Learning new skills, volunteering, travelling, taking up a sport, writing a book, learning a language, mentoring someone, etc, etc.

Having freedom over my own time and not having to answer to a boss would be wonderful.

Show quote history

But my job does involve learning new skills, travelling, writing and being my own boss...and getting paid very well to do it. I don't find my job stressful on the whole. I do have freedom over my time as I generally only work when I want to work. I've made a career that I love and one suits my lifestyle. I meet incredibly intelligent, interesting people that I wouldn't otherwise meet. I learn things I wouldn't otherwise learn. I have time for my hobbies when I'm not working.

RHOShitVille · 04/10/2022 13:35

Yes, i love my job and it gives me a sense of purpose.

But I would drastically cut my hours - a couple of hours of work a day would be fine!!

UpToMyElbowsInDiapers · 04/10/2022 13:36

I would probably do DIFFERENT work, and do it more part time. I’d choose something lower stress, but I would still want structure to my week, and a chance to contribute to a business or a cause I felt was worthwhile.

Bearsan · 04/10/2022 13:39

I also retired early as soon as I could, Dh is going from part time to retiring early, this month. We're going on lots of holidays, seeing friends, adult dc and other family members, dog walks, gym swimming and classes, we both have hobbies and interests. We've got a railcard and NT membership. We've also got two houses to maintain which we can keep in tip top condition as we have the time. Definitely not bored, just not rushing round trying to fit work in as well. I keep reading how the over 50's that retired early are now wanted back in the workforce. Not a chance!

CloseYourMouthLynn · 04/10/2022 13:39

No way. I'd volunteer, take up loads of hobbies, learn to play instruments, learn languages, have loads of beauty treatments, a personal trainer, spend proper time with my kids and husband, rather than rushing here and there all the time. Blimey, really wish I could win the lottery.

GreyhairedHobbit · 04/10/2022 13:41

No! Luckily I don’t have to and I enjoy the freedom. My days are busy, I help out with a couple of charities and grow my veggies and sew, cook etc. I feel like I have a working day but I am my boss.

JJsdadisatwat · 04/10/2022 13:41

Christ, no.

I’ve never had a career though, just admin or care work. So i’ve never been defined by a career, never felt like I lost myself in the years I’ve been. SAHM etc.

So from my point of view work is just for money, not for any other purpose, I’ve never had a sense of achievement or any enjoyment from it, it’s never been anything fulfilling. It’a purely a means to an end to pay bills.

boredOf · 04/10/2022 13:45

Nope

Housenoob · 04/10/2022 13:45

Hell to the no. Or if I did work it would be something I enjoy, for example maybe I'd train to be a pilates instructor or something, or start a small business.

Otherwise I'd be spending quality time on my family, home, friends, hobbies, travel. Probably do lots of challenges eg train for a marathon. Do charity work. Spend lots of time and money on beauty treatments and spa days. The list is endless!

I understand people wanting a fulfilling and successful career, and I do too but that's only because I HAVE to work so it may as well be a good career. If I didn't then fuck that!

CloudPop · 04/10/2022 13:52

No.

sourcreampringle · 04/10/2022 13:54

I wouldn’t continue in my current job nope!

would like to do something worthwhile and more rewarding if I won the BIG millions. After experiencing the fact there is literally nothing for SEN families where I live I would love to set up some sort of perpetually open centre or hub for parents with autistic children/disabled kids with groups, activities, help, respite, grants and free equipment etc.

kavalkada · 04/10/2022 13:55

I wouldn't keep my job, but there is something else I would like to try.

JorisBonson · 04/10/2022 13:56

Absolutely no way whatsoever. I'd rescue cats and do lady of leisure thing in between.

FourChimneys · 04/10/2022 13:57

Yes, I do. I run my own business which is successful, useful to other people and which I very much enjoy. Nobody else in our town does the same, my clients worry that I will retire.

If I wasn't working I would volunteer, I love being busy and active.

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