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Original poster

leave high stress/paying job for low stress/paying one?

23 replies

Maggie272 · 03/09/2019 20:42

Just a quick question....would you leave your full time, well paid, high stress job that you hate for a part time, low stress job that...just seems lovely. Husband has a good salary. He was unwell a few years ago, and also has income insurance. After 15 years, I dread going to work.... trying for a baby through ivf and the hormones don't help! : P
thanks for reading : )
Mx

OP posts:
Cocobean30 · 03/09/2019 20:44

Yes definitely, your mental health is so much more important

Twickerhun · 03/09/2019 20:45

I did for ivf similarly to you. Just gone back to a similar but- slightly- more- junior, high pressure job, but now only part time. I couldn’t step back for ever but it was good for a season. I found not having the cash levels coming in from my earnings much harder than I thought. But it’s ok.

Drabarni · 03/09/2019 20:51

Yes, mh and/or physical health is important.
Neither of us regret it, but we are frugal and not that into money.
Cliche but family time was/is the most important thing to us, so have done the bare min ito working hours.
Very lucky to love what we do as well.

Oly4 · 03/09/2019 20:53

I don’t know. It’s so nice to be comfortably off when you have kids.. there’s a lot to be said for not worrying about money! If your DH lost his job or was sick, you’d be in a tight spot after a while

Original poster
Maggie272 · 03/09/2019 21:09

wow, thank you all so much for your quick replies! yes, on my days off i'm on the sofa dreading going in on monday. I teach, I just hate it. We have a pretty nice nest egg, even after ivf. Husband as income insurance, which kicked in when he got sick a few years ago. And with his salary, anything i earn will go into our savings...we won't be millionaires, but we'd be ok.

he's so supportive but I feel as though I'm not pulling my weight if i'm not working as hard or earning as much as him.
to be honest, i'd rather have a different job than a kid at the moment...not sure if that's a joke or not, i'm fairly lost : P
thanks again, you're all so lovely x

OP posts:
user87382294757 · 03/09/2019 21:52

I left teaching before having DC - most I know just do it part time after Dc anyway as so stressful.

FantailsFly · 03/09/2019 21:59

I left a highly paid, high-stress job for a less stressful role and don’t regret it for a minute. I have so much more headspace and time to do other things. It is a lot less pay but it still pays the bills so I’m not replacing work stress with struggling-to-make-ends-meet stress. I am also nearer the end of my career than just starting out so there’s no regret risk about not fulfilling potential etc. Good luck with whatever you decide!

SciFiScream · 03/09/2019 22:01

Think about the impact on your pension too and any other job/salary related perks. Too many women take a salary cut and end up suffering financially for life.

Is there another way? Supply? Consider all options and good luck.

KellyHall · 03/09/2019 22:02

I'm a qualified accountant currently working in a shop in evenings and weekends. Before dd I worked 60 hours a week whilst studying. I'll probably go back to accounting part-time when dd goes to school.

If you don't need the money, don't want the stress and have far better things to be prioritising, there's no question! If we all have to work to 70 anyway, career breaks are a very sensible idea :)

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 03/09/2019 22:05

100% worth doing if you can, I did It. It is always better to be time rich and stress free that money rich and stressed

Laquila · 03/09/2019 22:09

IME there are surprisingly few jobs that are genuinely low-stress, so I guess I’d just caution against giving up a fairly well-paid job with reasonable benefits (hols, pension) for a low-paid job that actually doesn’t tick many of your boxes. IYSWIM. Also it’s easy to underestimate how much less you’re valued in the jobs market of you end up having kids and going back to work after mat leave/a career break.

Having said all that, I’ve given up a couple of stressful jobs in my life (one of them made me physically sick before work every day) and both times I didn’t regret a thing. It was like Stockholm Syndrome!

Jaffacakebeast · 03/09/2019 22:12

Yep! Life’s short and the unexpected can be just around the corner, be as happy as you can for as long as you can. I don’t work full time, I’d rather have the time, not the extra money. As long as we’re comfortable I work as little as possible

GrannySquares · 03/09/2019 22:34

Yes I would. I left a high (very high) stress job which paid quite well. I was working as a care assistant which was way above minimum wage as I had qualifications and experience, but the immense stress and pressure I was under constantly was horrific. I still remember waking up most mornings after not sleeping all night and physically vomiting because of the thought of going into work. I had enough. It had a detrimental impact on my mental health and well-being. I knew what was causing it and thought enough was enough and quit indefinitely. Now, I work as a self employed cleaner and also run my own ironing business which I absolutely love. I love it because I don't have managers on my back 24/7, I don't have to work in an environment where it is understaffed and where I felt constantly unappreciated. I am happy and I know for sure I will never step foot in a care home again (as an employee).

Original poster
Maggie272 · 03/09/2019 22:37

Yes, the interviews for the new jobs will be happening in December, so I won't do anything until I know for sure I have a safety net. I can do the job for another short while, and want to be responsible...thank you all so much for these responses. It looks like the overwhelming consensus is that life is short...and don't be too hasty : )

OP posts:
Stuckforthefourthtime · 03/09/2019 22:39

Personally I'd wait while you go through IVF - maternity leave in a low paid job that you've just joined is likely to be statutory at best, and you might end up finding it harder to get back to work or cover childcare costs. But if you are sure the other job is definitely truly lovely, then maybe...

Original poster
Maggie272 · 03/09/2019 22:44

Yes, @Stuckforthefourthtime, will definitely wait until the IVF is done. If I get pregnant my outlook will change. I suppose I don't have my hopes up for this cycle, it's my first, and...well it's another story. But yes, a baby on the way would change things. At the moment the future is babyless, which would be fine too : )
M x

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 04/09/2019 13:03

Yes I have done this recently even though it was a big wage drop. I am so much happier though and we have enough to get by.

Moremoneyplease · 04/09/2019 13:08

I did this last year and have been struggling to get by ever since. The stress of work has been replaced by stress of money! I'd only do it again if it really wouldn't impact on my finances.

NWQM · 04/09/2019 14:56

Yes! One of the best things I ever did.

MaximusHeadroom · 04/09/2019 14:58

Definitely do it. I have moved into a new job and gone part time since having DCs and don't regret it for a second

ShadyLady53 · 04/09/2019 14:58

Absolutely, in a heartbeat. I could have got to the top of the tree easily as a Secondary School teacher. I wanted a life and took a significant pay cut for a more enjoyable, healthier life and some sort of work/life balance.

PlinkPlink · 04/09/2019 15:03

I left teaching.

High stress but reliable income - crippled my mental health.

Low stress part time job - earning much less but so much happier.

Go for it.

user87382294757 · 04/09/2019 16:49

There is a Facebook group called Leave teaching and smile. might be useful!

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