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?

I think lockdown has made a lot of us re-evaluate life. I loved teaching at one stage but the job has changed so much in the last decade and truthfully it no longer satisfies me even though I still enjoy the classroom bit with the kids. I hung on because I had great colleagues and a really nice classroom. Now I don't have either of those things. I still enjoy the classroom teaching but truthfully I can't be bothered taking stuff home anymore. I know it's time to make the jump but it's hard letting go of something you thought was your vocation.

@speakout

That is what amde my dad decide to retire as quickly as he could- to make the most of his life.

I am making the most of my life right now.

I don't want to wait until I retire ( however early that may be) to start enjoying my life.

It is possible to earn money and enjoy life.

But it’s a rare person who has that situation. Enjoy, by all means, bit it’s foolish to pretend it’s possible for everyone.

If you look at human history, most humans lived with seasons when they were busy, whether as hunter-gatherers or farmers, and then less busy. Modern jobs which are permanently go go go are overwhelming. I'm coming out of my busiest time at work and hoping it will calm down a bit. It helps to keep me going.

That’s a good points @bibliomania. We’re animals and programmed to work best according to natural rhythms and cycles. Our work culture is artificial so it’s no wonder some of us struggle. I have SAD and really struggle in winter.

A few years ago, I sat in my office and actually said out loud "I can't do this shit for the next 20 years" (late 30's). I resigned and started my own business. I've never smiled so much in my life.

However, I have recently secured a new mortgage deal, which now means I will be 51 when my mortgage is paid. I don't think I'll retire then, as I do enjoy my work, but things will definitely be able to slow down.

most humans lived with seasons when they were busy, whether as hunter-gatherers or farmers, and then less busy.

I'm not sure that's true.

Paleolithic people would be busy all year round, hunting, packing and preparing shelters, Neolithic would certainly be busy at harvest, but it would be work all year- repairing homes, digging and re-routing water supplies, tending to animals, fixing roofs, skinning and preparing hide, digging pits for sewage, making rods or nets for fishing, making clay pots, weaving clothes and shoes.

I think they worked harder than us- and all year round.

I too have known people whose retirement plans were scuppered due to ill health or sadly passing away. Previously fit and healthy people too, not ones who were drinking/smoking all the time and eating crap. I maintain that stress is one of the worst things for health. You can do everything “right” but if you’re stressed to the max it takes its toll. I would go so far as to say that a healthy person with huge stress has worse health outcomes than a more relaxed but less healthy person. Unless they tackle the cause of their stress. Obviously that’s just my opinion and not a fact! But I believe it.

I agree wholeheartedly with not putting off till retirement what you can do now and try to live my life that way.

Meruem

Exactly.

I don't want to waste decades of my life waiting for retirement to finally enjoy myself.
We have the power in our hands to change our situation.
Many people enjoy aspects of work.
I have had several jobs in my life that I have loved, a couple not so much- so I have moved on.
I won't tolerate a situation that is causing me misery if I have the power to change it.
My OH loves his job, my three closest friends all love what they do.
It is possible.

Life is too short to put up with a job you hate.

I feel much the same. I'm 28. Looks like private pension age will be 58 for me (currently its 55), as they are being kept in line as 10 years before state pension age. I hope they don't change the rules again!

30 years of work ahead. CBF. I have a mortgage (although hope to move to more of a 'forever' home in a couple years) and a well paid job, I pay lots into pension. Hopefully at 58 I'll be able to retire and just have a chilled life maintaining the house and doing some hobbies, seeing family and friends.

PizzaForOne

What about the next 30 years though?
Don't you want to enjoy those?

@PizzaForOne

I feel much the same. I'm 28. Looks like private pension age will be 58 for me (currently its 55), as they are being kept in line as 10 years before state pension age. I hope they don't change the rules again!

30 years of work ahead. CBF. I have a mortgage (although hope to move to more of a 'forever' home in a couple years) and a well paid job, I pay lots into pension. Hopefully at 58 I'll be able to retire and just have a chilled life maintaining the house and doing some hobbies, seeing family and friends.

Look at FIRE websites, you might be able to do it before.

(FIRE = financial independence, retire early)

Try not to get carried away with websites that go on about % etc. As I mentioned, many pension advice sites work on the assumption that I have or do things I’ve never had in my life!

@Smallsteps88

That’s a good points *@bibliomania*. We’re animals and programmed to work best according to natural rhythms and cycles. Our work culture is artificial so it’s no wonder some of us struggle. I have SAD and really struggle in winter.

Yes. I used to hate being in the office when it was dark outside, I felt trapped.

@Bowerbird5 That sounds like bliss, made me smile. I recently turned 50 & had 3 months off. Spent the time happily pottering in my new house. Was not bored at all & realised I could easily adjust to working very little. Not going to happen though with 5 yrs on mortgage & no pension till 67. Failing winning lotto, the best I can hope for is to go part time at 60. I’m tired.

@speakout

PizzaForOne

What about the next 30 years though?
Don't you want to enjoy those?

I don't feel I can truly enjoy life giving 40+ hours of time to work, that is okay but not enjoyable. It's a means to an end. Most people don't enjoy their work. It's the economic system we are in, have to sacrifice time for money.

My free time out of work I enjoy fine - just wish I had a LOT more of it. I'm just making sure I make the right career and earn enough to put my feet up from mid 50s onwards.

@AcornAutumn Yes already aware of FIRE, thats what I try to do! Salary sacrifice the max matched pension contribution. My employer is actually changing their scheme from next year so it will be a double match, which I'm far too excited about and none of my colleagues have ever mentioned. From take home pay I put a small amount into S&S ISA each month but mostly saving cash to fund move to a detached 'house for life' and kit it out a bit nicer (current house is furnished courtey of Ikea) when my fixed mortgage comes to an end.

Just the 30 years seems so long! More than my entire life so far. Insane.

Alternatively, find a very well off partner....

*I don't feel I can truly enjoy life giving 40+ hours of time to work, that is okay but not enjoyable. It's a means to an end. Most people don't enjoy their work. It's the economic system we are in, have to sacrifice time for money.

My free time out of work I enjoy fine - just wish I had a LOT more of it. I'm just making sure I make the right career and earn enough to put my feet up from mid 50s onwards.

Maybe work out a way of working fewer hours for more money- or find a job you love, or set up your own business...

I couldn't write off 30 years of my life like that.

My work excites me- but I have deliberately chosen a way of making money that I love. I really don't want to retire - ever!

I was 60 this year and Covid stopped me working for six months. But now I'm back at it. It was a revelation not to be at someone's beck and call after 44 years of work. Part time is the answer for me. Never a shortage of stuff to entertain me ... it's lovely how little I need to do to be contented.

Totally with you on this, I’m just so tired of it with no motivation at all!

I’d do it. I’m a single mum in a rented house, trying to work full time and struggling. Will never be able to retire or enjoy a life like this... found yourself lucky & life on the basics. Some of us can only dream about it.

I am in the happy position of being able to cut my hours to two and a half days a week. I took my small pension, which along with my reduced salary was slightly more than when I was full time. I am not quite old enough for the state pension, not long though

My quality of life has improved dramatically and I don’t regret my decision at all. Am so glad I paid into a pension for all those years! I still cannot quite believe it, after working full time all my adult life. There is definitely more to life than work!

Nothing is impossible. Give it a bit more thought, you have opportunities at any age.

Sit down with a pen and paper and see what can be done. You can work from home.

Just work out how much money you need to save to keep you afloat for a specified time. You never know you could make a business out of the things that are your interests.
If you believe you really can't do it in the foreseeable future, schedule in an hour of reading or whatever you want to do at the weekends or in your spare/downtime. If you have not made downtime, carve out some.

I worked from the age of 17 when I left school . It was shift work often working through the night, l was compulsorily retired at 65, I had zero choice in the matter . It was the worst thing that could have happened in my opinion I miss the work ,the salary and the travel . Sure there are times that I enjoy a lie in but I would have liked to continue working until I was at least 70. Before retiring .

Try to switch to part-time work. Makes a massive difference. Even working one day less a week is great for your wellbeing.

I did take early retirement at 54, not by choice by illness. After 5 years of pottering cooking baking gardening lunching walking ect i was bored! Now gone back to work 3 days a week, perfect.

I did when I was 55 but I could afford to. That's the key thing - if you can make it work then great, not much fun of you're worrying about paying the bills.