To suddenly not want to work anymore?

[MasterGland]

I want to sit at home with my cats and read books. Perhaps bake occasionally, play board games with my son. Weed the garden.
I have realised that I can easily fill my days with these things. They make me happy. I am really struggling with motivation at work. I used to be quite career oriented, but now I keep calculating the minimum I need to retire, and how I might do it as soon as possible.
It is a sudden change for me, and not sure if it is related to the current lockdowns... but have not directly been affected by them really as worked straight through both. Anyone else had a sudden change of heart about the pursuit of endless work?

Yes!
Working from home for the past 7 months has completely changed my outlook on my work life balance and how I want to work in the future.
Alongside working I am also studying for a Law degree part time and am currently in my final year. I had hoped to continue onto post graduate study and eventually train to be a solicitor but I've completely changed my mind.
Once I've completed my degree I now want to try and find work in the charity or housing sector in a job that is rewarding. Then when once I've found this imaginary dream job, they'll hopefully let me go part time so I can spend at least one day a week stroking my dog and cleaning the house so my weekends can be spent with my children.

I’m another one who would retire tomorrow and have plenty to fill my time. I think lockdown has allowed those of us who prefer a more simple life without too many demands on our time to see this as a strength. We have a lot of inner resources to draw on.

This thread inspired me to spend my lunch break (WFH) having a little potter in the garden, then speedily mixing a cake batter which is now in the oven ready for afternoon tea break, which I will spend reading a book while the kettle boils and pretending my job isn’t boring, pointless and a waste of time. Whoever upthread said work gets in the way of life is spot-on!

It’s euromillions tonight, we could split it a few hundred ways between the thread and all call in retired tomorrow, spend the rest of our week walking wistfully through the countryside in posh wellies.

Could anyone with lots of years left on the mortgage consider downsizing, to get it massively reduced and paid off early? I feel the same as you OP and that’s what I’m considering doing. It obviously depends on whether you’re tied to your current area though (I’m not).

Forgot to say that I’m only in my late 30s, but am seriously considering opting out!

I usually had a spell as a sahm when I felt like this.
If it isn't enjoyable don't do it, life's too short.
Different if it's a career, more to consider, I suppose.

I was burningly ambitious and then following a few traumatic events, all my ambition just dwindled away. I was lucky enough to be able to leave my job......so I did. I was 46 and that was 3 years ago. I don't miss work for a second and I spend my days pottering, exercising, doing my hobbies etc and wouldn't have it any other way.

Yes, without question. I've been a legal PA ever since I started work. The job has changed beyond measure, as has the attitude of legal firms towards PAs/ secretaries - they seem to knock us back at every opportunity, but still want on the ground secretarial support - my firm think the PAs should have Key Worker status so there'd be no problem with us going into the office whilst all the fee earners work from home.

DH is going to retire at the end of next year - he'll be 68. I'll probably do into the middle of 2022 when I turn 60, but will definitely go sooner if I can manage it. I'd like something part time locally. The thought of the 5 days a week City lifestyle holds absolutely no appeal any more.

@juniper20, I also have a lot of respect for what you've said.

There is absolutely nothing wrong at all with ambition but equally there is, imo, nothing wrong with not constantly striving either. I had this exact conversation with DH the other day, about how freeing it is to admit that, actually, I am no longer interested in getting promoted and that I know my life is not going to be enhanced by yet MORE stress and responsibility masquerading as 'career advancement'.

For years my self-esteem was very much tied up in my work, but increasing age (and the peri-menopuase!) has helped me to see how much of it is bullshit. And I work in an area that is, by any objective measure, 'important'. And it's still 75% bullshit!

I'm done with it. There are plenty of bright ambitious young things coming up behind me, jumping over the same hurdles I jumped over 20 years ago. They are welcome to jump them. I'm gonna do yoga, bake cakes and knit instead.

I’ve loved reading this thread’

Same. I love my job but would happily stay at home now after a year of mat leave. I'm happier at home with the kids, dp, keeping house, cooking and baking. Somehow I've ended up in the 1950's but I like it.

I'm happier at home with the kids, dp, keeping house, cooking and baking. Somehow I've ended up in the 1950's but I like it.

I'm exactly the same. I'd never admit to this in real life, but if I could be a (happily married) housewife in the 1950s I would be in my element. I know they had a ton of housework and cooking to do with far fewer helpful appliances than we have now, but I also have a ton of housework and cooking... plus a full time job!

YANBU. I fantasise daily about not having to work. It's not my job per se, it's just having to work, be at other people's beck-and-call as to how I spend my day and always having people on my back chasing for stuff. Sadly I am only early 30s, so 30 more years of this awaits.

I just want to spend my days pottering about, walking dogs, cooking, bit of exercise, travelling etc. I'd be so content.

Problem is, I want to do so in a nice house and to be financially comfortable, so for that I need money - and so the job is a must! If I won the lottery, my job wouldn't see me for dust.

I'd love to retire too but at the moment no idea how we'll put the kids through uni

Could anyone with lots of years left on the mortgage consider downsizing, to get it massively reduced and paid off early?

Problem is the mortgage is a tiny part of household outgoings

We don't go on expensive holidays , have expensive cars etc but still each month just paying the bills leaves nothing to save for kids future education at uni , and that's with both of us working full time

I'm going even more part time than I already am at the end of this month. Dp is doing the same in a year or so when he has enough savings.
Then we'll retire properly in two years. We've had enough of the treadmill and work ethic bollocks. We worked it out financially and shall have enough.

I'm just having the same thoughts as OP at the moment myself .. I think for me it would be more of a sabbatical/try a new skill phase...

Placemarking to read this thread in detail later....

@TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross completely agree. So tired of it all. Yes I'm lucky to have wfh since March and full time but for the love of God there has to be more than this!

I'm late 30's and if I won the lottery tomorrow would quit work.
It doesnt mean I would do nothing at all.
I still have two young kids and hoping for another m when the kids are grown I have lots of creative ideas to fill me time, and maybe start a business.
It's just my current job is very stressful.
If I could just find a job. Limited hours where you just go, do the hours and then you are home with none of the load from work.
A simple job that you can completely forget about when you are home that isn't back breaking , and you dont have to bring your work home. Flexible so you can have plenty of time off as needed. Time off for any of the school events as needed. Time off for school holidays, or easily arranged time off for when the kids are ill.
Early finish and late drop off for school etc.
Unfortunately jobs like dont exist or if they do are very hard to come by.
I wouldn't mind continuing to work its just very difficult and so stressful at times.

We have 7 years left on the mortgage then will be £1300 a month better off. That's more than I make so definitely cutting hours to very part time.

@PutThemInTheIronMaiden

My niece is a teacher in very tricky school, and she is at home by 4pm after collecting her child from another school.

She's either not being entirely truthful or not being entirely professional. She does this every day? 5 days a week?

Or she is working until midnight after the child is in bed.

Teachers are very blessed to have so much free time, my niece travels in the holidays extensively for seven weeks each summer, can you do that? She also spends christmas in another country for nearly four weeks.

Well given that the summer holidays is 6 weeks and the Christmas holidays are 2 weeks I think her employer might want a word.

Oh my god yes OP I am with you. I am 44. I've worked for 23 years in a fast paced very demanding industry. I work a 12 hour days most days and often at weekends.

I really love what I do but man I am tired. Unless we go and live in a yurt up a mountain what to do?

I met a family last week who took their kids out of school and lived in Sri Lanka for a year. I'd love to do this. Permanently. I'd be happy with a few cats and chickens 🐔 😁

This resonates so much with me. I'm late 30s and in a job that on paper is perfect. I have an amazing manager who absolutely prioritises our work life balance (the job would suck up every hour of our lives given half a chance). I work with an amazing team of people who are genuinely helpful and kind whilst blowing my mind with how smart they are (doesn't do much for my imposter syndrome though!). I've interesting work and a huge amount of flexibility over how much I take on and how I schedule my day. Great pay and benefits in a company that genuinely tries to be family friendly and diverse.

I'm still sat here mulling over whether I should drop my hours to PT or perhaps sack it off altogether. Up until fairly recently I always thought I didn't like working due to various issues with my workplace or manager as I've had some truly bonkers managers in my time. I can't really find fault with my current role, beyond the fact that they expect me to actually do some work, so I don't think changing role would help much.

There may be an element of burnout- I have definitely been taking on too much recently and not had any time off since February. We've also had a fair bit of stress at home with bereavements and parents being hospitalised, which has taken a toll. I know I'm not the only one that has been given an emotional kicking by 2020 though and many people have it much worse.

Right now I'm hanging on until things are a bit more 'normal' before changing things up too much. A few months off to reset would be lovely, but given that's unlikely right now, I'm just hoping to survive this year with a bit of perspective and gratitude for what I do have.

I personally don’t believe many people want to work, yeah lair of people do it for the money
But that’s why you get paid
You trade your time for money
So I think 99 percent of people would agree with you op