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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:
Reddragonqueen · 03/04/2019 07:23

Hell no

LaPufalina · 03/04/2019 07:23

Interesting how we're all different!
OP the Mr Money Mustache website might be interesting to you; he retired at about 30.
I personally would work, my colleagues joke that if we won the euromillions in our syndicate that I'd be the only one in on a Monday morning Grin I love my job. With two very young kids and a loan horse, three days would probably be about right for me.

MrsElizabethShelby · 03/04/2019 07:32

Not unless I had unlimited funds to fill the time with anything I fancied doing on a whim

villagesecret · 03/04/2019 07:33

I do but only v part time.

tomhazard · 03/04/2019 07:36

I would teach my subject for free in state primary schools (just for a couple of days a week!) . I love teaching it and my subject has been made the lowest priority with all the government cuts but it is very enriching. So that's what I would do but that luxury is very unlikely!

QueenAnneBoleyn · 03/04/2019 07:38

No way. Mine can be a stressful job at times. I’d rather spend my time doing things I enjoy - baking, walking, reading and exercising.

TheGoogleMum · 03/04/2019 07:42

I think I would but definitely not full time

GirlRaisedInTheSouth · 03/04/2019 07:44

Would I bollocks.

CountFosco · 03/04/2019 07:45

Yes. Maternity leave was awful for me, I felt very isolated, and it was not good for my wellbeing. Much happier back at work. Depends on the person though, DH would happily cut back a bit and potter more but we've decided to keep our hours the same as each other (both work 90% so kids get dropped off and picked up from school by one of us every day).

quietcontentment · 03/04/2019 07:47

I definitely NOT work, there are many things I could do with my time to keep myself busy!

Hiddentext · 03/04/2019 07:51

I'm actually in this situation and really struggling with it. I was made redundant last year from work I did for 30 years and loved, it wasn't well paid but it was meaningful I guess. We have a business that is doing incredibly well and I don't "need" to work, but I've been applying for jobs and getting nowhere. Meanwhile I've been doing voluntary work for two organisations and loving these jobs. But, I feel shit that I can't get a "job" and have been struggling badly with anxiety/depression over my situation. I feel I have less value for some reason because I'm not doing a paid job, embarrassed/ashamed. It's bonkers, I should just carry on enjoying the voluntary work and the fortunate situation I'm in.

spaniorita · 03/04/2019 07:51

Heck no!!!

RussellSprout · 03/04/2019 07:52

I had a job for 5 years which involved doing very little work whilst sitting at home and being paid a full time salary... Sounds great and it was at first but it didn't take long for boredom, lack of purpose and ennui to set in.

I left in the end as I had enough of waking up each day with little to do, it was not quite the same as not working as I had be contactable, but pretty close. Also I felt like my career was dying and I was capable of more.

I still wonder sometimes if I did the right thing but then I just remember how bored I was. If I'd stayed I would have felt like I'd sold out for the easy life.

Maybe it would have suited me better when I was older, but not in the prime of my life/career.

So, no I don't think I'd not work if I had the choice as I'd get bored. Although if I had tons of money it would be easier to find ways to occupy myself.

ShatnersWigIsActuallyAMammoth · 03/04/2019 07:55

Yes. If I could find something like two afternoons a week in a second hand bookshop.

BiddyPop · 03/04/2019 08:48

Theoretically I could - dh earns enough that we could manage but I have the more stable job.

But I enjoy my job too and feel like it makes a difference to others.

So while I would like to drop to PT if I won the lottery, or take a year/2 career break, I don’t think I would actually want to give up work altogether.

BitchQueen90 · 03/04/2019 08:59

If it meant relying on a partner financially then yes absolutely I would work. I would feel too vulnerable otherwise.

If I were independently wealthy then no I wouldn't work.

Tensixtysix · 03/04/2019 09:03

I would still do some work, but not for a boss. Would be on my own terms or for a charity.

Ellabella989 · 03/04/2019 09:05

Definitely not! I’m good at filling my day with things and not getting bored. I would maybe volunteer once a week though so I was still contributing a bit to society

Giggorata · 03/04/2019 09:11

A few years ago, I would have said no chance, but now I’m over 60, I feel differently. I’d like some time to myself.

Onepuddingisneverenough · 03/04/2019 09:31

Yes, I would
I love my job, I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I work in an industry that is fun and most importantly I feel it’s important to set an example to our children that if you set your mind to it you can reach your employment goals with hard work and determination.
All that said I would probably reduce my hours to school hours 9-3.30 5 days a week so I could do all the school runs etc

Adversecamber22 · 03/04/2019 09:37

I had planned on retiring at 50 but due to ill health I was retired in my forties. Unfortunately my health means my plans have not panned out. I have a history of campaigning, fundraising and committee work . I planned to give something like 20 hours a week to assisting a charity. About a decade ago I helped set up a foodbank in my town. It was my idea and took a year to set up. I had a really tough childhood but escaped and did very well in life financially. I had really hoped to give something back but my health condition and the death of my DD not long after I became unwell knocked the stuffing out of me. I’m hoping that one day I will be able to help with policy writing or something from home.

I find myself at home alone quite a lot , I read, write poetry, game on my console. I also craft and have made cosplay and props, I made an entire suit of armour out of Eva foam and a rather amazing replica cloak form a game I play, I go for walks but no more hill walking for 15 miles . My life is so much smaller than it should have been but in all this I still remain quite a positive person. Financially I’m fine due to pensions and investments.

Springersrock · 03/04/2019 09:39

Yes I would. But it would be part time and something fun and I’d work for myself

I was a SAHM for years when my children were small and hated it towards the end.

I like my current job, but I’d prefer something more creative

MRex · 03/04/2019 09:41

Not right now, but I think I'd want to do a bit every now and then in future once DS is old enough for school.

FoxFoxSierra · 03/04/2019 09:41

I would do my voluntary work full time

CosyAsAToasty · 03/04/2019 09:47

yeah, but not fulltime though.