AIBU to not want to work that hard

[Greentomato82]

Not about SAHM / WOHM but about work generally, men and women alike, DC or no DC. Reading a lot of threads on here people often say they work mainly because they 'want' to work and that it's an important part of their identity etc. I know that some jobs are a real vocation, and obviously we all need money, but surely lots of jobs are a bit meh really and with a lottery win most of us would give it up or at least treat it as more of a hobby? I just seem to hear this more and more, lots about career building and ambition. Frankly I am not going to change the word any time soon and that suits me just fine. I want to rebel a bit and enjoy life. We generally work at least 9-5, 5 days a week for decades to pay the mortgage and bills because that's what we're supposed to do. Those at the top get richer and I can't help but feel like we're gradually being coaxed into a trap of believing our work is more important than it is to justify spending so much time there. I don't like that schools are focused on creating a 'productive' workforce of tomorrow, or that I'm viewed as a unit of productivity and the obsession with GDP. We're not ants surely? Am I the only grumpy one that wants to go off grid and hibernate from all the busy productive people. I'm not lazy but I just don't get it. AIBU?

I honestly think I've made more of a positive difference to the world in raising my children rather than anything I ever achieved at work, especially considering now the majority of companies I've worked for in the in the past no longer exists!

re: part time roles, many public bodies are under pressure to reduce headcount and having lots of part-time staff doing 0.4FTE or 0.6FTE roles just isn't good for keeping head count down. So agree that it's hard to find PT roles outright BUT as many organizations try to offer flexibility there is more opportunity to negotiate a FT role down to a PT role.

I think having an in demand skill gives you more of a chance of finding a part time role. Part of the reason I chose nursing because my previous sales based role was impossible to do part time once kids came along.

2 children, girl finished uni with a 2:1, boy went to live in Wales with girlfriend and look after our grandson.

I'm not bragging. Those are facts. They answer some questions and are part of my life story. I was born poor, lived in a prefab, adequate primary and secondary education. Worked and educated myself whenever I could. More diligence than luck; you make your own paths. Read simple logic puzzle books when very young given to me by my mum. Read books about philosophy in the local libraries from age 12. Had no parental advice, no outside help. Just did what I could to stay truthful, work hard then smart, and eventually offered jobs like Executive Director, Director General, etc. One just has to teach oneself and find or make the best career path. Thanks.