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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:
Sparklesocks · 03/04/2019 00:45

I wouldn’t work, but I’d probably do ‘something’, like volunteer at a charity or help out with a community project - but only part time.

Jsmith99 · 03/04/2019 00:46

I might do some volunteering for good causes, but actual proper work with problems and targets and deadlines and politics and demanding clients and critical bosses? Not a chance.

NitrousOxide · 03/04/2019 02:01

Assuming I was otherwise financially independent, then no, I wouldnt take paid work from someone who actually needed it. Especially in an economic climate where jobs are scarce.

I’d do voluntary work though.

Tavannach · 03/04/2019 02:08

Yes, but I'd reduce my hours.

Bananarama12 · 03/04/2019 02:10

Fuck no.

HappyEverIftar · 03/04/2019 02:21

Yes. I was (am) a trailing spouse (hate that phrase) and have spent over a decade out of my home country. DH earns a v good wage so there was never pressure on me to work. The reality was I got very down, almost depressed, because I didn't have a purpose and felt awful about not contributing to the family pot (DH never made me feel like I had to, he was supportive in whatever I chose to do).

For me, mentally, working is a big part of who I am and I enjoy it.

dreichuplands · 03/04/2019 02:44

I am in a very similar position to happyEverltar I haven't worked for the last 18 months, I am happy that my work permit is now arriving although I need more paperwork still. Not working is harder for me than working.

Bluesheep8 · 03/04/2019 06:18

No, I wouldn't. Volunteering but not paid work.

blueskiesovertheforest · 03/04/2019 06:31

Yes, but part time. My job has a purpose and is necessary, though obviously it's not necessary that I personally do my job there's a shortage of qualified staff and I know I'm doing something which actually needs doing and has a positive impact. We could live on one salary although things would be tight, and as I'm studying 20 hours per week my income is only for 20 hours per week anyway. Once qualified I'm aiming to work 30 hours, but if money was utterly and completely irrelevant I'd stay on 20 or even 15. That'd feel very luxurious without my 2 long days of classes plus home study to do.

I have had jobs which felt pointless aside from earning a salary and having something to do in the past, I wouldn't bother working in a job like that if the money was magically replaced from another source.

PumpkinPie2016 · 03/04/2019 06:32

I think I would. I enjoy my job (most of the time!) As a teacher and I think I would miss the interaction with people. I might drop a day or two but I don't think I would want to stop altogether.

Some people are good at filling whole days but without structure, I'm not.

Owlettele · 03/04/2019 06:41

No no no. There are do many other things I could do for company and time out of the house!!

thewooster · 03/04/2019 06:46

No. I'd give up work tomorrow if I could. I've got plenty of hobbies to keep me busy and my mind active, stuff I never have time to do. Dream about it all the time.

Shmithecat2 · 03/04/2019 06:48

@PianoVigilante, I'm a trailing spouse, and have been for over 6 years now. DH earns well, which is the reason I don't have to work, but I am not allowed to work where we live anyway. Hopefully, in a couple of years, we'll be out of here (mortgage free, with some money in the bank), so I can get back to working, doing something I want to do that works around school times, and dh can do consultancy based work part time. That's the plan anyway.

Mummadeeze · 03/04/2019 06:48

I appreciate I am very fortunate but I love my job and look forward to going to work pretty much every day. I know I would be bored and unfulfilled without work, so no, I would definitely not give up even if I could.

Oysterbabe · 03/04/2019 06:55

As long as I could still stick the kids in nursery for a few days a week then no. I do need that break from them which work gives me.

onedayallthiswillbeyours · 03/04/2019 06:58

I have a private income and spent 16 years as a SAHM. I loved it when the DC were very young (I have 4) but as they got older, I found it harder and harder to motivate myself every day and my world began to shrink to the point where I would spend all day at home never speaking to another person but not actually achieving anything housework or DIY-wise either. I was lucky enough to get a part-time (16 hr job) that is very interesting (to me!) and as long as I get my hours done during the working week I can do them when I like. I usually stick to set hours/days because the routine suits me, but equally it is fantastic to be able to chop and change if I need to to fit around DC. I feel I have a new lease of life now I "have" to get up, shower, wear smartish clothes and do my hair and makeup. And I get so much more done in the hours that I am not working too. For me returning to work has had an extremely positive effect on my mental and physical health. I was ready for it and it came at just the right time for me.

WhoAteMyNuts · 03/04/2019 07:01

We could live off one wage so either DH or I could give up work. However, neither of us would unless we were financially independent with enough to cover our wage because you can never know what is round the corner.

So yes we do work even though we don't need to at this moment in time.

makingmyway10 · 03/04/2019 07:05

I had a professional job and gave up when I was pregnant with DD, I was a sahm until DD went to Uni two years ago. I was lucky that financially we are comfortable so I did not have to work. I did charity work and was involved at Dds school as chair of PTA and a school Governor. While she was in the Sixth Form I went to night school and got a qualification in a subject in a field I was interested in. I really enjoyed the studying. After she left for uni I went back to work, in the same field as my profession but not in a professional role. I love it. I work two days a week, finish when I leave work no long evenings working at home. I love getting dressed for work , putting on heels and looking smart. It is interesting and challenging at times but finishes when I walk out the door. I have my own money to spend on myself and I really enjoy it.
So yes, I do not have to work but choose to Smile

sam221 · 03/04/2019 07:10

I am essentially retired now, in my late 30s, since the end of last year. I am fortunate enough to not need work, but am considering my options. There are only so many netflix binges one can do! Am considering some type of volunteer work for a few days per week.

Tumbleweed101 · 03/04/2019 07:11

Not if I could had a group of friends I was in weekly contact with. There’s plenty I could do to keep occupied without work.

That said, I do enjoy my job and would likely miss certain aspects.

kikisparks · 03/04/2019 07:12

Part time and possibly doing something less stressful but yes I would work.

Tumbleweed101 · 03/04/2019 07:13

Also, if you work because you want to rather than to pay bills it’s probably more enjoyable as it’s more on your own terms.

flyings0l0 · 03/04/2019 07:16

don't think so. There are lots of things I want to do/learn in life - from a certain language to a specific instrument, even some basic decent cooking (my food is mean).

I am working despite having a severely disabled child. It's all extremely tough and keeping a job down is pushing me slowly over the edge. I wouldn't miss work at all (but then, due to caring can I only have a job in low pay and no opportunities, it's not a 'profession' I truly love and enjoy).

MaggieAndHopey · 03/04/2019 07:16

I would - but I'd be a lot more choosy about what work I'd do! At this stage in my life (early 40s) I'd relish the opportunity to go back to university as well. So many things I want to learn about, and so little time.

n0ne · 03/04/2019 07:18

Yes, I think I would, but only 2-3 days a week. Two bouts of maternity leave (6 months and 5 months) showed me that I need the mental stimulation, validation and social contact that you get from a work environment. Yes, I'm sure there are ways of getting these things in other ways, but work for me is the easiest provider of all three. Plus the money can be used to benefit someone even if I don't need it.