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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:
blondeemily · 02/04/2019 21:42

No.
DP and I had this conversation just the other day. He said he would still work but he'd get a less stressful job. I'd probably do some volunteering with animals, but I wouldn't work if I didn't have to.

Miljah · 02/04/2019 22:19

Five years ago, as a front line HCP, around 50, I'd've said I might've stayed on for a bit, as I respected my work colleagues; understood the pressures on my managers; felt my contribution was valued.

Now? You wouldn't see me for dust. I genuinely don't think I'd make any attempt to work my notice.

I have never felt so disregarded, so held in contempt, so under-valued by my managers in my life. After 30 years of this.

I commiserate with my colleagues, tho, tbf, I feel no real solidarity or sense of shared purpose with quite a few, now, as I have 'carried' too many recently employed, bogusly qualified colleagues for too long.

I'd be so outta there.

IcedPurple · 02/04/2019 22:23

In my late 40s, I work in a job which is kind of 'on again off again'. I'm very busy for a few weeks and then might not have anything for a month or more. I'm certainly not well-off but I do own my own home, have no kids and a fairly modest lifestyle so I get by quite well. But while I wouldn't want to go back to full-time work year-round, I'm the type of person who needs external motivation not to sit on arse surfing the net all day. And as I live alone I can easily go a week or more without talking to someone, which doesn't really bother me but I'm not sure if it's terribly healthy. So i think working at least part-time is a good idea....

Polarbearflavour · 02/04/2019 22:33

To me, a job is just a job. I don’t care about it or define myself by a job title. You’re a long time dead!

ZippyBungleandGeorge · 02/04/2019 22:33

Yes I'm not even five months into mat leave and going mad. I need to engage my brain

3ChangingForNow · 02/04/2019 22:35

Yes

Bearberry · 02/04/2019 22:36

Yes, definitely. I love my work, and it gives me fulfilment and purpose. I would probably go part time though so I had more time for DD and hobbies.

Brilliantidiot · 02/04/2019 22:36

If I could have enough money to live on which I can't even seem to achieve working full time and enough to keep a horse again, I'd happily not work. I'd need a focus though, like a horse or something to get me out and about or I'd probably become a recluse.
don't like people much

bloodywhitecat · 02/04/2019 22:38

Yes, I work with children who are life limited or palliative and I would work, I'd go part time rather than full time but I absolutely would carry on doing what I do

Frosty211 · 02/04/2019 22:45

Yes, because its peace and bloody quiet away from my annoying crotch goblins 🙌🏼

SluggishSnail · 02/04/2019 22:45

We could live on what DH earns so I don't have to work.
But I like what I do and I earn quite a bit, so it pays for holidays, clothes, treats, savings, will hopefully get the DC through uni, maybe even pay off the mortgage before retirement age.
I make new cancer treatments, so it also feels useful, not just a way of getting money.

blue25 · 02/04/2019 22:46

Yes I love my job and the people I work with. I'd go stir crazy stuck at home.

I've worked hard to get where I am at work and wouldn't just give it all up.

Echobelly · 02/04/2019 22:47

I probably would work, as I'm rubbish with lots of unstructured time.

Applesbananaspears · 02/04/2019 23:08

I have absolutely no need to work, DH earns 5 x what I do and I have a good salary. I love working, I have an interesting job which motives me and invigorates me. Not working is bad for my mental health

MrsDrudge · 02/04/2019 23:09

I loved my job (nurse practitioner) and retired four years ago - I love not working even more!!!

MatthewBramble · 02/04/2019 23:21

No. "Work" = human activity devoid of any pleasure/satisfaction.

CheerfulMuddler · 02/04/2019 23:22

Yes.

flirtygirl · 02/04/2019 23:39

No no no.

I wrote a longer answer but bottom line is no.

PinkPupZ · 02/04/2019 23:54

I would if had a part time rewarding career that helped people and didn't just make money for people at the top.
I've been a long term sahm and that has its own challenges.

BackforGood · 03/04/2019 00:08

Yes, but PT, and retiring earlier than I otherwise could.

I enjoy my job FAR more than I enjoy housework / gardening / decorating / cooking etc. , so I'd spend the extra money on employing more people / hours of help with stuff I don't like, and carry on doing the job I do which though it has massive frustrations I do enjoy, and get a lot of satisfaction from. Then I could also have the money and time to ho on a train at the weekend and go and visit someone or somewhere I wanted.

Rachel0Greep · 03/04/2019 00:12

No. I've done my time. I would gladly walk away and enjoy travel, reading, general leisure pursuits.

Stuck for some years yet though.

PregnantSea · 03/04/2019 00:39

I don't have to work so I don't. I love it. We moved to another country a few years ago and my DH's job pays very well over here so we both decided it would be a nice pace of life for us if I was a housewife. It was a joint decision and we're both very happy. I have good qualifications and skills so I could go back to work if I wanted/needed to, I don't feel "trapped".

I sometimes meet people who don't understand what I do all day. This baffles me. Do people really get so sucked in to work that they have no hobbies or outside interests? To be fair although my job was well paid I never really liked it that much, so for me it was always important to make the most of my time outside of work. I suppose if you're one of those people who really loves their work (do those people really exist lol) then you wouldn't need to do that so much.

Redskyandrainbows67 · 03/04/2019 00:40

Yes

Reallyevilmuffin · 03/04/2019 00:40

I'd give up work in a second if I could. I can entertain myself quite happily with the DC and games.

Redskyandrainbows67 · 03/04/2019 00:40

A part time and low stress job.