To ask WHY you work

[BeatriceAlbert]

Got in a discussion about retirement/early retirement and why people actually go to work in the first place. I know it seems obvious to answer ‘for money’ but this was off the back of the parody about a fisherman.

A businessman on holiday spots a fisherman lounging by his small boat after catching a few fish for the day.

Businessman:
“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?”

Fisherman:
“Why would I?”

Businessman:
“Well, with more fish, you could buy a bigger boat!”

Fisherman:
“And then?”

Businessman:
“With a bigger boat, you could hire a crew, catch even more fish, and eventually own a whole fleet!”

Fisherman:
“And then?”

Businessman:
“Then you could build a company, go public, and become a millionaire!”

Fisherman:
“And then?”

Businessman:
“Then you could retire, relax by the sea, and spend your days fishing!”

Fisherman:
“…Which is what I was already doing before you interrupted.”

In general, for purpose, achievement and socialisation.

Specifically for the job I'm in, for money.

For money but also for structure. I find the routine is good for my mental health. I WFH so don't feel rushed at all but I do keep to a schedule and it works for me..

To pay the bills.

I only work part time around children and would still much rather not be there. I can think of a hundred more interesting things to do with my time over sitting at a desk making money for my (already hideously wealthy) boss.

My DM never worked a day in her life after her children were born. She looks ten years younger and seems far happier than the women of a similar age I work with. Spends her time gardening, volunteering, spending time with friends and family, going on holiday, pottering around the shops, doing the crossword. Sounds wonderful to me.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. On their death bed, nobody wishes they spent more time at work.

Im in my 50's. Not in the UK.
When DH retired we moved abroad.
Theoretical I dont need to work, as in we could technically survive on his pensions/ investments. Tried it forr 6 months and hated it. I now work p/t and really enjoy it, plus the money is a nice cushion. I know Im in a very privileged position. Before that I worked F/T plus bank shifts purely for the money - for luxuries like food, mortgage and heat.

Yes - I agree with you. Fortunately my husband is very hands on and everything is s pretty equal apart from feeding the baby.

I will go back to work, partly because I have to in order to maintain our quality of life. Also, I’ve trained for a long time to get to where I am in my career and it would be very difficult to return after a break. So I’ll keep going so as not to throw it all away. In an ideal world I’d go very, very part time and then maybe increase hours once they are all at school.

But if I won the lottery, I’d either quit or perhaps do one day a week. 😂

Self respect and so as not to starve.

I can't imagine not working. I love it, and I'm temperamentally unsuited to not having a lot to do.

I only work for money. I do interact with a lot of people, which can sometimes be fun, but if I wasn't working I would find another way to do that on my terms.

Five years ago and through the first half of my career, I would say I worked for learning, challenge and money. Now I just work for money. I wouldn’t be at leisure if I stopped working for money but I’d do something much more purpose driven and creative - like write books and make films and serve in social advocacy/ community engagement roles , which don’t tend to bring in enough money to be my ‘work’ and I have squeezed in around the edges for the last twenty years.

This for me too.

Because I'd just fart around on the internet otherwise 😁

Honestly, if I won loads on the lottery or something I'd probably keep working to fill my time, I'd just retire early rather than the 70 I'm probably going to have to work until at this rate.

This has been a very eye opening thread. I think it goes to show the French feminist philosopher and writer Simone de Beauvoir got what she wanted with regards to women and motherhood. She was one of the founders of modern feminism.

This is a quote of hers:

"No woman should be authorized to stay at home and raise her children. Society should be totally different. Women should not have that choice, precisely because if there is such a choice, too many women will make that one."

She got her wish and I absolutely hate her for it.

I work because I have bills to pay. If I could have this level of income without having to work, I would be deliriously happy.

If I didn’t work, I could fill my time with lots of different things - some social, some for just me and I would be fulfilled.

There are people who love their jobs but I only really know one person like this. My family and friends would all leave work in a heartbeat if they didn’t need the money so don’t think I’m the odd one out.

I love my job. I believe I make a difference. I'd like to go part-time now Im nearly 60yo, but finding a part-time role is like finding rocking horse shit!

I'm not sure I'll ever truly retire tbh.

In essence, my work is my vocation. I am the fisherman.

Strong work ethic, probably through socialisation as a child, I feel that I need to be working and contributing to society.
I enjoy routine and structure.
I like to be stimulated and achieving things, I think I'd be bored if I wasn't working.
I think it's good for my mental health, mainly because of the 2 points above. Although maybe all that comes from socialisation too.

I have to be working and paying into the NHS pension at 55 to claim it without penalty. Otherwise I would go tomorrow. Reducing my hours soon. Fifteen months to go.

Just for money!

I actually like my job but I'd still quit tomorrow if I could. I'd happily manage to find things to fill my unstructured days, thanks!

The parable of the fisherman doesn't really work because surely most people, once retired or if they won the lottery, don't then spend their increased free time still driving buses/operating on people/behind a till etc., i.e. doing the same job they were before just without being paid for it. They'd pick up a new hobby or go travelling or spend more time with their family or just watch lots of tv!

Your parable only works for the tiny percentage of jobs that consist of things people also do as hobbies. Substitute working in call centre, for example, and it becomes nonsense.

Most people work to live and can't turn their hobby into a job - any jobs like that have enormous competition and you either have to be exceptionally good at it or have the right connections, or both.

With your fishing example, most people who make a living from fishing are out in all weathers on trawler boats, not leisurely floating round with a fishing rod. The fishing industry has a very high accident and fatality rate.

I don't work. My wife does. I do pretty much all childcare, including home education, all the housework, cook all our meals, shopping, kids taxi, and I've literally built our house, and small holding from the foundations up. I often feel judged for not being at work, by both men and women. It pisses me off because I'm up at six, and on with something until ten at night. It was definitely easier being a full time software engineer in my twenties.

Of course money is the top one

but also

fun
challenge
self worth
pride and satisfaction
Independence
role model

When I had a period of unemployment, the loss in self respect was harder than loss in income

I am lucky enough to work in a job where I have daily contact with lots of very interesting and intelligent lawyers and medics. The cases we work on about complex interesting legal issues. And if I didn’t have this job, I wouldn’t have access to all of this wonderful intellectual stimulation. I was utterly, entirely mind numbingly bored on maternity to leave without all of this. I didn’t realise I needed it so much until it was taken away for six months.

For money definitely. Agree with others that I need to do something but if I didn’t need the money I think I’d find other things to occupy myself with: or retrain in a job I’d enjoy more.

For money only, i would give up work tomorrow if i had enough money to still do nice things. Work tomorrow live not vice versa.

Why "and apparently"? Are you saying you feel others should pay for your kids?