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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If you never had to work again, how would you spend your days?

204 replies

humbugaboo · 10/12/2021 10:06

I’m wondering if a life of not working is really all it’s cracked up to be? I think with time you can probably end up just binge watching TV shows and napping.

OP posts:
MLMshouldbeillegal · 10/12/2021 13:20

I find this idea that having a purpose has to mean paid work is exceptionally odd.

People who have retired, or who have given up work know exactly what it's like to work for a living.

They therefore choose to find purpose in other activities or do things which please them. They might spend hours pottering in the garden, or do 5000 piece jigsaws, play the piano, get a dog, whatever. That gives them purpose and pleasure and relaxation and that's all fine. If you're financially secure why would you keep working just to prove a point that you can or something?

Also agree that people who post ridiculous things like "Oh I would hate being at home I'd be SO bored" are just totally lacking in imagination.

IntermittentParps · 10/12/2021 13:28

@MLMshouldbeillegal

I find this idea that having a purpose has to mean paid work is exceptionally odd.

People who have retired, or who have given up work know exactly what it's like to work for a living.

They therefore choose to find purpose in other activities or do things which please them. They might spend hours pottering in the garden, or do 5000 piece jigsaws, play the piano, get a dog, whatever. That gives them purpose and pleasure and relaxation and that's all fine. If you're financially secure why would you keep working just to prove a point that you can or something?

Also agree that people who post ridiculous things like "Oh I would hate being at home I'd be SO bored" are just totally lacking in imagination.

Well, I didn't say it 'has' to. I was in fact at pains to say the opposite. It is nuanced, and you know, different strokes for different folks.

godmum, only just seen your post, and no, I work too much but I don't have all my eggs in one basket – I don't work and do NOTHING else.

IntermittentParps · 10/12/2021 13:29

And I think it's rather rude to say people are 'lacking in imagination' because they'd rather be working and busy. If it suits people...

BridStar · 10/12/2021 13:30

Academia. Would do a master's and study, research, write and explore for the rest of my life.

Immaculatemisconception · 10/12/2021 13:32

I would have a horse rescue.

user1471554720 · 10/12/2021 13:32

What would you do in the evenings if you were not working? I presume you could keep on top of housework and decluttering each day, so evenings would be gloriously free.

I work 90%. Evenings are gone with dc homework, their activities, tidying the house for the next day. Sat and Sun, food shopping, errands , gardening and housework.

Flippingfair · 10/12/2021 13:35

@MrsColon

I'd go slowly mad. I need structure to keep me going and my mental health on track.

I might go part time though, so I'd have more time to go to the gym.

I need some sort of structure too, but I make my own now!
Flippingfair · 10/12/2021 13:36

@BridStar

Academia. Would do a master's and study, research, write and explore for the rest of my life.
Bliss!
Hellokittyninja · 10/12/2021 13:39

I would exercise a lot. To be honest, I’ve been in a situation where I didn’t need to work, or do house work, or anything and with no money worries, I was very, very bored. I went back to work after two years off! And then our circumstances changed, and I was glad to be in work. So unless I win the Euro lottery, I’ll be at my desk!

Waxonwaxoff0 · 10/12/2021 13:45

I'd only enjoy it if I was very wealthy so I could spend the time travelling, visiting nice restaurants, etc.

Parky04 · 10/12/2021 13:50

I spend the time walking, learning a new language, reading old encyclopedias, volunteering at a foodbank, going to the gym, watching TV and meeting up with friends and family. I was made redundant last December and have no intention of going back to work.

FireworkParrot · 10/12/2021 13:51

I would live by the sea, somewhere with a promenade and I'd walk up and down the prom each morning and make sure I did at least a couple of miles. If the weather was bad I'd go swimming at the local pool instead.

I'd go into schools to help children with their reading. I'd also like to volunteer and make the teas and coffees at a baby and toddler group... our local church one saved my mental health.

So that's some fitness and some volunteering. I'd need to do something that challenged me mentally, cryptic crosswords, learning something new, joining a pub quiz team etc.

I'd also need friends that also didn't work so we could meet up for coffee or lunch!

maddening · 10/12/2021 13:52

Money no object I would have an art studio and spend my days doing lots of arts and crafts, including glass, pottery and jewellery making.

Probably kick off the day with exercise, I would have a cleaner in etc and then off to my studio.

maddening · 10/12/2021 13:53

As well as socialising and going out and about and the odd day doing sweet f a

BanginChoons · 10/12/2021 13:54

I would home educate my autistic 10 year old instead of mainstream secondary which i think is highly likely going to be an incredivly difficult time for us as a family.
I would train as a facilitator for the Freedom Programme.
And travel, lots of travel.

pastypirate · 10/12/2021 13:55

Decluttering peoples houses who need help and working in a charity shop doing the window displays. Honestly if this would pay me £40k I'd be so happy.

babouchette · 10/12/2021 13:57

I'd spend more time with my kids, write, travel, exercise, cook, keep on top of personal grooming, join my local tennis club, go to museums and galleries, have a tidy house. I wouldn't find it hard at all.

Instead I have young DC and a full time jobGrin so basically fantasise about one day being able to have a bath on my own without interruption.

Blossom64265 · 10/12/2021 13:58

I would finally have the time to create. There are so many projects trapped inside my head. Between work and parenting, there is barely time to make anything.

I would also really like to take more university classes just for fun.

I could easily fill my days and find myself too busy to get everything done.

CactusLemonSpice · 10/12/2021 14:09

Depends how rich I was.

If no funds I'd sew, paint, read, draw, write, walk locally and attend community classes and exhibitions - and most of all spend a lot of time with my children!

If I were wealthy I'd do the same, but with more travel and exploration... slow travel like someone else said, including taking a sleeper train somewhere! I'd also take a part time masters if I had the funds.

godmum56 · 10/12/2021 14:15

@CactusLemonSpice

Depends how rich I was.

If no funds I'd sew, paint, read, draw, write, walk locally and attend community classes and exhibitions - and most of all spend a lot of time with my children!

If I were wealthy I'd do the same, but with more travel and exploration... slow travel like someone else said, including taking a sleeper train somewhere! I'd also take a part time masters if I had the funds.

I fancy the Orient Express but you have to share loos and bathrooms :(
CounsellorTroi · 10/12/2021 14:24

One of the surprising, in a good way, things I have found about not working is that Fridays still feel like Fridays, and weekends still feel like weekends only more relaxed because you’re not rushing around shopping, washing and ironing for the week ahead. Sunday evenings are so much more enjoyable without the thought of another working week looming over you, and Monday mornings are just bliss.

It’s not true about the days running into each other and becoming indistinguishable.

Flippingfair · 10/12/2021 14:26

@FireworkParrot you and me would get on!

CactusLemonSpice · 10/12/2021 14:27

This thread has made me want to quit my job Grin oh to be independently wealthy

lljkk · 10/12/2021 14:44

I'd still work to give my life purpose. My office keys will be prised out of my cold dead hands.

MyCatEatsPrawnCrackers · 10/12/2021 15:19

@IntermittentParps

And I think it's rather rude to say people are 'lacking in imagination' because they'd rather be working and busy. If it suits people...
You don't have to be in work to be busy.