Would you work if you didn’t have to ?

[Inliverpool1]

Not as in won the lottery but as in it wouldn’t change your world beyond adult company and a bit of a life outside the house ?

Sladurche I too entirely agree. I did work when I didn’t need to because for me it gave my existence value, it had public value and it was mentally stimulating. I had to give up for minor health reasons and don’t regret it now (but then I am near the retirement age for the job anyway).

I don’t need to work from a financial perspective, but for my own self esteem and sanity, I need to work. I don’t want to be financially dependent on my DH, I enjoy working and get a lot of satisfaction at the end of a challenging week, where I have made a difference at work. I also think you relish your free time more when you work as you have really earnt it. And these is nothing like that Friday feeling, my DH and I get v excited on a Friday morning when we have the whole weekend in front of us. You just don’t get that feeling when you don’t work

Yes. I need purpose and intellectual challenge. The stimulation if communicating with different people and learning new things. Feeling a sense of achievement. I'm very good at filling my time (I'm on a break now) but I need to be stretched mentally.

I've met quite a few people who have struggled when they have retired early and felt a loss of purpose and identity. I'd keep going but not full time.

I would. I work 4 days/week now and in an ideal world I'd drop to 2.5. I did that for about 9 months a few years ago and it was perfect. Can't afford to do it now, though.

No. I would have enough to fill my days, between keeping the house immaculate, delicious food prepped and going to the gym or taking the dogs out for walks.

Maybe!!
It's not work I mind it's the rules like oh you were 2 minutes late 2 days last week and make sure your not 5 seconds late back from lunch and no you can't take annual leave that day because such and such is off so the company will cease to exist .
I do like the responsibility and I enjoy my job I just wish employers weren't so anal .
If I was rich enough not to work I'd like to do charity work I'd also do more exercise as I never have time .

Yes definitely, I love my job.
But I would love to be part time (in order to spend more time with my children) if I could afford to reduce my hours!!

No

Yeah, because I’m a nutter when left to my own devices too long. At the moment, it’s a more challenging job, but interesting so I like that. “Retirement” jobs when money will hopefully be less important for me ranges from teaching assistant to veterinary nurse to doing a fine art degree. I’m lazy and too neurotic to be doing nowt.

Depends...

Plenty of money to spend when not working = yes

No money to spend when not working = no

I mean yes to give up work

Until the last few years? Yes. It was heady, I got kudos in my field, enjoyed what I did.
Now, staring at the last half decade before retirement, with cuts and other pressures making it a constant struggle, ageism making me invisible and dismissible in many contexts, I can’t wait to pack it all in.

yes
going to work is one of the things that keeps me sane

Nope.