To ask if you work because you want to or because you have to?

[fromthbottomofmyheart]

Is your job is just a necessary evil to fund your life, or are you truly passionate about what you do? In other words, are you grinding away just for the paycheck, or are you the type of person who wakes up every day thinking, "I can’t wait to tackle that spreadsheet!"?

Do you live to work or work to live, in other words?

I'd still work even if I win the lottery. I had been jobless even though not financially struggling and it was bad for my self esteem. I love feeling productive and doing something of value.

I suppose I don't have to work as it would be possible to live just off of DH's salary but in my mind, I have to work because relying on someone else to provide for me would never be an option I'd go for.

Now, if I won the lottery or was independently wealthy that would potentially be a different story though I still can't imagine giving up my career because I enjoy it and knowing I've earned the money is nice too.

There are parts of my job I really enjoy (and genuinely wake up ready to tackle that complex spreadsheet with no input from ANYONE but me), and other aspects that I hate which are very stressful.

If won a million or two I would hang around to do a proper handover because I have certain regulatory responsibilities, but otherwise...I'd give up the full time role and offer to do a couple of days a week consultancy to maintain good mental health!

Absolutely because I have to (bills and mortgage don’t pay themselves unfortunately - they didn’t get the memo 😌🤨). Would love the freedom of not having to work, doesn’t mean I wouldn’t work I might do a day per week or volunteering etc for my own wellbeing and for a little bit of routine but not having to would be nice…

We could survive on DHs salary if I didn't work, but I work so that we can overpay our mortgage, pay it off fairly soon and both retire early together! I would probably get bored too if I didn't work
I like about 70% of my job ...but can't say I get excited avout it when I wake up!!

Why do you want to know. And why have you posted this in Yabu

Agree with the above.

If I'm having a bad day I reframe my thinking and remind myself how much of a privilege it is to work in a well-paid job with intelligent, like-minded people in a well-regarded profession for a reasonable employer who is sponsoring my work visa so that I get to live in my dream city.

That usually shakes me out of my whiny, ungrateful stupor.

Both. It's useful to be able to pay the mortgage and feed the kids, but I also really enjoy what I do. If I had lottery millions I might work fewer hours, and do slightly different cases (more pro bono, for example) but I absolutely wouldn't jack it in.

Yes I have to work

and I love my job

if I didn't have to work I would still work I would be bored not working and I need routine and I enjoy the feeling of satisfaction when worked hard

I would like to work four days a week

Totally get this.

So you have a job then.

both
i would like to reduce my hours, when spring is coming!

This sums up where I am with work, I do enjoy my job but it’s a struggle. We’re just about coping at the moment but if it gets any worse we’ve decided we’ll look at different schools before considering home schooling. Take into account your loss of earnings if you were to give up your job if there is a cost for a school that would suit your DC better. In my opinion home schooling should be done by someone who’s enthusiastic about it, not by someone who’s backed into a corner by poor state provision for SEN.

Both. I’m dedicated to it and helping the SEN kids and their families is so important to me, but managing a team as well as the role working with children with a range of needs and lots of other professionals is a stressful and sometimes I dream about working from home at a laptop or writing a book, or just winning the lottery and being on holiday forever! But it’s hoping I make a difference that drives me.

I really do love my job and am passionate about it. But if I suddenly became mega rich? I’d leave in a second! There are so many things I’d like to do - travel the world, spent time with DH, enjoy hobbies etc.

I work because I have to and just feel fortunate that I also like my job.

Financially I don't need to work - we could manage fine without my wage (and DHs - we could both retire now early-mid fifties but that is because of the money DH earnt not me) and no change to current lifestyle.

I wouldn't say I absolutely love my job (secondary school teacher) - some days are definitely hard and I would rather get up when I wanted to, but I feel useful and my job gives me purpose. I feel like I am making a positive difference to my tiny bit of society. I'm part-time though - I definitely wouldn't go full time unless I needed the money. If I won a significant amount on the lottery though this would probably be my last academic year - it would open the doors to a completely different lifestyle. I don't feel useful enough to turn my back on that, for a while at least!

I went back after being a SAHM by choice, because we wanted to move to a more expensive house in future. So in a way, I work because I choose to, financially we're fine without it.

But if I didn't need to work to afford the life I wanted, no way would I stay working.

I generally enjoy my job as a nurse, but some people make me want to leave frequently. If I could get rid of managers and relatives I’d be happy!

I work because I have to, to afford cheap holidays and little treats now and then.
I also work because I enjoy it. I never used to think like this but once I started with my own business and it flourished, I was shocked to discover that if I didn’t need to work, I would still want to do 3 days a week anyway

I worked to live. I hated work. I hated the forced social interaction, the pressure of the job. Tried different jobs, felt the same in all of them.

I’m now a SAHM and couldn’t be happier. I will never understand those saying they would be bored. I have multiple hobbies and have never once felt bored. I get much more satisfaction out of the things I do at home than I did the mundane work that I had to do for hours a day pre children!

Occasionally I will do voluntary stuff like help out at school and like litter picking.