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

[humbugaboo]

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.

People who are retired or don't need to work should certainly be able to fill their time as they see fit, but I would find it concerning if someone spent ALL of their time napping and binge watching TV. I would think that doing that, or wanting to do that, for more than a few days would be an indication that there is an issue with their mental health that needs addressing.

It's wonderful when not being in full time employment (in which I include being a stay at home parent) getting up when you want every morning, making your own schedule, and not having to do something 40 hours a week if you don't want to. For me at least though, I find it important to have some kind of very flexible schedule and routine.

I think "purpose" and "meaning" can be found in leisure activities, but I do think everyone needs some kind of purpose, whatever that is, for a fulfilling life.

I spend my time volunteering, exercising, crafting, reading, and cooking (in a relaxed way without the pressure of having to get a meal on the table at an exact time). I also do less productive things like watching tv and playing on my phone, but I know I wouldn't feel happy or healthy if I let myself do things like that too much.

fancy the Orient Express but you have to share loos and bathrooms :(

@godmum56 so you hook enough berths so you don't have to share with anyone.

Simples.

I'm retired now and I'm not poor but not rich either, my health is good but mobility is crap. But I love my own company. I read a lot, paint (and sell art) but I do a whole lot of doing nothing at all. I love it.

If I'm not pottering about with DH I help people. I do stuff for my friends who are still at work, make appointments, research house and gift stuff, take in parcels, pick their children up if they are stuck, all the things that are a pain when you are working full time. I really enjoy it and am a natural organiser.

I am never bored, even when I have absolutely nothing to do.

I've not worked since my first DC was born almost 31 years ago.

I'm always busy. I volunteered in three different places until Covid struck and since then, have done more in the places I can still go to.

Once (if they ever do) things get back to normal, I'll go back to the three different organisations. I get so much out of them, and I know I make a difference, so it's a win win situation.

1. Set up a foundation first and through that do the following:

1. Buy houses for or pay off mortgages of immediate family & friends

1. Donate to local charities

1. Set up university/training funds for family kids

1. Buy starter homes for above kids

1. Buy a holiday home

1. Invest in basic pensions for above kids

1. Max out my own pension

1. Buy a camper van and go on a road trip

Practise the piano and violin more. Join orchestras. Start gardening. Paint more. Read. Get a new degree (if money was no object). Become absurdly house proud. Crochet more. Exercise every day, go on massive hikes and find new places to walk and see. Go wild swimming. Learn to cook elaborate meals and bake loads of cakes. Everything I wish I had more time for but don't.

@Welcometothejingles

1. Set up a foundation first and through that do the following:

1. Buy houses for or pay off mortgages of immediate family & friends

1. Donate to local charities

1. Set up university/training funds for family kids

1. Buy starter homes for above kids

1. Buy a holiday home

1. Invest in basic pensions for above kids

1. Max out my own pension

1. Buy a camper van and go on a road trip

Just because you don't need to work or are retired doesn't mean you can do all of those things!

@MedusasBadHairDay

Reading, seeing, drawing, learning new skills, studying.. I wouldn't run out off things to do.

This. I retired early with a small professional pension a couple of years before I got my state pension at 66. I used savings to top up until the state pension kicked in.

I'm NEVER bored, live alone (with dogs) and have some kind of course 3-4 times a week, mainly arty stuff - all the things I never had time to do when I was working f/t and had small children.

My retirement was prompted by the death of a younger DSis with a nasty, aggressive, cancer. She worked bloody hard - was financially much better off than me, very senior public sector - she never got to 50, never got to enjoy the pension. I promised myself I would retire and actually DO all of those things that had been on the back burner.

So much to do, even now, in my late 60's I'm trying new things and loving every minute of my play time. I don't go on holiday, I spend all my money on the pets and the hobbies. Love my life!

Hiking, camping, attending talks and seminars at museums and galleries, beach walks, going on safari, shopping, reading, writing poetry, gardening, meeting up with friends, sleeping.

A non-exhaustive list.

Welcometothejingles

where is all the money coming from? stopping work would mean you'd have less money?

I love these types of imagines!

Yoga, swim and kayak
Lots more cooking and baking, maybe get really into some of that ultra precise Korean baking
Travel, travel, travel
Audit some cool history and astronomy classes with DP
Volunteer at the library
Build extremely elaborate working dollhouses

Horses, dogs, Phd, spend time with friends and family. Oh, and a few healthy activities like swimming, running and pilates.

I don't have to work...but I do 🤣 I couldn't NOT work I would be bored to be honest. That and I love my job

@humbugaboo

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.

I'd like to take some specialist degrees that would help me to donate some specialist volunteer skills to causes dear to my heart.

I'd like to have:
–a good grasp of data analytics and data visualisation;
–a specialist understanding of biomedical ethics.

For my very own interest, I'd like to improve my knowledge of the history of medicine and write a history of a research institute that I admire.

On a more frivolous basis, I would enjoy visiting a huge range of museums and galleries to attending tours by knowledgeable people.

I'd attend lectures on a huge range of topics.

And I'd practice circus skills and paddle whitewater and in warm seas to my heart's content.

I'd cook in a community kitchen because I like the team work and the feeling of fellowship.

I retired age 32 after selling a business amd having a modest but livable monthly income.

I spent 5 years travelling, studying, reading, having long lunches, etc.

I became very unmotivated and lost, so this year I managed to find a part time job in a supermarket. It's hard physical work and very early mornings but the connection I feel with the world again is amazing! Much happier now.

I'd go to two or three exercise classes a day, go for long walks, wild swimming, visit friends all over the world and go on adventure holidays. Might hire a villa for the summer to write a book and would totally renovate our house. Lots of theatre and gallery visits and music festivals.

Tbf, my current life is a scaled-back version of that already as I only work part time.

I am lazy. I am retired, did it early at 55. No financial concerns thank God.

I swore that when I left work I would never have a routine again, and I don't. I am on my own no kids and it is bliss just selfishly doing what I want when I want. That was all I wanted from retirement, and I made sure I got it.

Before Covid travel was a big thing for me, not anymore, but hey so what? I travel via google maps now lol.

I smiled at my colleagues who took the same package as myself, their plans and must dos were mind boggling. There are no rules, you are allowed to do nothing if that suits you. I am never bored, every day is a blessing, and sometimes I do lots of things, sometimes nothing. That is what retirement for me is all about.

You can plan and God can laugh.

Reading, walking, I’d get a dog, listening to music, catching up with friends and volunteering

Probably turn in to a lazy slob

I doubt I would do as much I would plan to to do

@ivykaty44

Welcometothejingles

where is all the money coming from? stopping work would mean you'd have less money?

@ivykaty44 my big euro millions win of course

Reading, lunching with friends, shopping, having my hair and nails done, watching television, going to the cinema. Ohh how wonderful it would be. X

Travelling, reading, relaxing, with family and friends, puzzles jigsaws, write a book, start a blog.

I’d work. I love my job. In my 50s, my friends are starting to talk about retirement and I can’t understand the appeal. I’ve just taken 3 weeks off over Christmas which seemed like a good idea at the time but I finished this evening and I’m already regretting that I’m not working next week.

My father is 83 and still working by choice so I guess there must be some genetic workaholic link there.

@ivykaty44

Welcometothejingles

where is all the money coming from? stopping work would mean you'd have less money?

The point of the thread us that it's imaginary!