To work or not?

[Chinga123]

I have a work/life dilemma that I would like some guidance with. I have 4 children, all are now at school, I have worked full time all of their lives, the opportunity has come now for me to be able to give up work, but remain financially independent, my partner works full time, we are mortgage free, oh supports either choice to give up work or not. My dilemma is now I have no time for myself, my physical, and mental health are struggling because of this, but I fear if I give up work I will lose myself a bit, and be lonely.

Why not go part time then?

No brainer

part time

Does it have to be all or nothing? Maybe go part time and see how that feels? Or view it as a sabbatical by taking a year off, maybe two, and do some things you've always wanted to do. An adult gap year if you like.

I know quite a few people who have given up work now and are very happy.

Are you married? Who owns the house?
What about pensions?

Make sure you are not risking your financial security.

Is part time an option? Either where you are or within your industry or in some other employment.
I think you are right to be concerned about being isolated/lonely/disconnected if you left the workforce entirely. It’s why I’ve stayed where I am.

Yes part time is the answer. If you’ve always worked it becomes (sometimes inadvertently) part of your personality. It would be hard to quit completely. Or quit and start volunteering in a charity shop part time or become a Homestart volunteer?

I’d never give up work completely. You need to consider all scenario’s though of what the future could look like.

See if you can go part time where you are. If not, then seriously consider leaving and give your self till next Spring to rest and recover and then see what part-time options are available in your area.

But remember your pension. Keep up the payments.

I work part time (3 days a week) despite not really needing to financially. I see it as the best of both worlds. I keep my hand in at work, am paying into my pension, it gives my week structure, I get the social side of going into the office and seeing colleagues etc. The extra I earn means we can have nice holidays, overpay the mortgage, put money away for DDs etc but I still get two days a week to myself when they're at school.

I would definitely go part time first and see how you feel.

Could you relook at the household responsibilities? Why are you are so burnt out and have no time to yourself if your children are out of school? What is your husband doing around the home- is he cleaning, laundry, cooking etc or does he leave it all to you? How much alone time does he get?

I'm on a career break. I was made redundant in Feb and found out I was pregnant the same day. I'm looking at having 1.5-2 years out of work.
I've really enjoyed my break and it has been mostly positive for my mental health but it was a shock at first and I'm not sure if I could do it longer term although it potentially would be an option. My daughter is in school but has really benefited from me being at home.
I was working 4 days a week before and once she was my daughter was in school it wasn't that restful as I took it as a day to get on top of jobs to give us more family time at the weekend. I think I'd drop to 3 days a week if I was wanting to work less for my wellbeing. I dropped from 5 days to 4 days after returning from maternity leave with my daughter as my mental health wasn't well enough to work full time.

Part time isn't an option in my current role, I work as a contractor and this project is coming to an end shortly, that is why I felt I should make the change now if I was ever going to.

I have thought about going back to college, and trying something entirely different.

Yes, I am married. Single pension.

As others have said ,maybe P/T. Do you have hobbies/interests? What do u see yourself doing with your time? I dont work anymore and I have a lot of hobbies and do volunteering work. I cant fit 'work' in now! lol!

Hope you are lucky in finding part time - I asked several times with the NHS but only succeeded by taking partial retirement.
School are also reluctant

As a contractor you are really best placed to not sign up to a new project and almost play it by ear. You can see how you adapt and review after say 12 months. Just keep in touch with project managers you’d be happy to work with again - you don’t need to divulge the entire plan or where your head is currently at.

You might find you just needed a break, or you need to be more selective with the projects you do. Or you might be energized for a career change, or decide to leave traditional employment overall and become a volunteer at the local zoo…

how exciting for you!