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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you work if you didn’t have to ?

265 replies

Inliverpool1 · 02/04/2019 19:08

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 ?

OP posts:
sandi2019 · 02/04/2019 19:20

Yes xx but on a consultancy basis.....so I could just do the odd day here and there....xx

Thingsdogetbetter · 02/04/2019 19:20

I have no self motivation and need structure to achieve anything. I'd work mornings only, just to get out of bed and the house. Otherwise I'd be a puddle in a onesie on the sofa.

madcatladyforever · 02/04/2019 19:21

Hell no, i can't wait for the day when I don't need to work anymore.

boredboredboredboredbored · 02/04/2019 19:21

Fuck no

prozacgirl · 02/04/2019 19:21

God yes. Work gives you fulfilment, use of your brain and a big sense of purpose outside of family and kids. I need it as much as I need other aspects of a healthy life. It's the balance that can be difficult not the work. What a fabulous freedom to work without financial pressure. I wasn't working much last year and I went crackers.

IAmASkier · 02/04/2019 19:23

I’m in this situation now. Don’t need to work, and not currently working. I hate it.

exculpatrix · 02/04/2019 19:23

Nope - if I could afford to not work again I'd spend my time doing art and other creative projects for fun, and going for runs.

IAmASkier · 02/04/2019 19:24

As in, I hate not working. Would love to get an interview job again.

SmallFastPenguin · 02/04/2019 19:24

I like to be doing something, but I struggle with work. I like the routine and having my work friends but I get very stressed by even a fairly easy job. I'm quite an anxious person and have never really found a job I can feel happy in for this reason. So if I didn't need to work I wouldn't, but I would like to find something to do which gave me the routine and interaction without the stress, if that were possible.

redexpat · 02/04/2019 19:24

Yes. I need a structure imposed on me or it all goes a bit pear shaped.

Onceuponacheesecake · 02/04/2019 19:24

Not sure. I always used to think yes. But I haven't been to work since October and I'm loving it. I could get bored though.

Original poster
Inliverpool1 · 02/04/2019 19:25

See I thought I’d be all gym and lattes but everyone else has gone back to work and I feel my motivation slipping away by the day. I was far fitter and organised when I had less time in theory and being a single mum doesn’t help. I can go days without seeing anyone

OP posts:
EL8888 · 02/04/2019 19:26

Probably not. I would do a masters, travel and maybe some volunteering

formerbabe · 02/04/2019 19:27

No. I haven't worked for ten years now...sahm. I will work again when my DC are a little older. But...I'm never bored not working. I can fill my days easily.

Original poster
Inliverpool1 · 02/04/2019 19:28

But you can’t travel when you’ve got school aged children, done s masters that wasn’t all that

OP posts:
IAmAPersonToo · 02/04/2019 19:28

Yes, I like my job. I don’t have a massive group of ‘the girls’ like many do so work people are a big part of my social life.

I’d probably drop from four days to three though.

Coulddowithanap · 02/04/2019 19:29

Yes. We can just get by on my husband's wages so technically don't have to work.

I hated staying at home all the time, once the children were old enough for nursery I started working again. I have a few part time jobs for a bit of variation and the money comes in handy.

SingaSong12 · 02/04/2019 19:29

I’d need to be working or volunteering or my MH would suffer. I need a structure and I’m not good making up my own.

MaderiaCycle · 02/04/2019 19:30

Yep. Didn't think I would. Had DC - at home a year - couldn't wait to be back.

leafy22 · 02/04/2019 19:31

Hello no.

I don't need to work now and so I don't. I'm a SAHM. I feel so sorry for all of my former colleagues. Sitting in conference rooms having boring meetings and making boring small talk. Don't even miss it for a second. Spending July in a freezing cold air conditioned office while I'm sipping sangria in the garden with my friends while our kids play together. I'm very happy with how things have turned out.

Whynotnowbaby · 02/04/2019 19:32

I have been working abroad since last summer and have never been so grateful to have a job. The other English speakers I know are predominantly embassy wives or others who have come here because of their other half’s job and pretty much all of them are desperate to find a job, none of them can at the moment. Most are highly qualified but can’t even find a job in a cafe or hotel as there is so much competition and a perception that certain jobs are for certain nationalities or age groups (so chambermaid type jobs tend to go to Eastern Europeans and cafe jobs seem to be for the under 25s). It means people are just bored and desperate to get out of the house. I do get a bit jealous of their bonding over walking groups and coffee mornings but I think they are largely pretty bored.

Rememberallball · 02/04/2019 19:33

Gave up work 6 months ago when preparing to move house and, 6 months on ice not got a job by choice and won’t be looking for one. As things stand we can afford for me not to work - just need DH to find a job now he is settled and we’re ready for that!!

WingedCreature · 02/04/2019 19:34

Definately not! I enjoy my own company, if I happen to be home alone I love having the house to myself, pottering about, TV on in the background. I'm counting down to retirement!

April241 · 02/04/2019 19:35

Nope! I've always said I need to work for my own mental health but I'm in such a bad place just now and I think I need to just not be at work. I'd like to have a routine with my kids and each day and I find it utterly impossible just now.

However on a good day I love work and couldn't not do it.

WoollyMummoth · 02/04/2019 19:35

Nope. I like my job but I like my free time more.