Turning down a job offer

[Namechangejustforthis1000]

Feeling inspired after reading the thread about leaving a job without another one to go to, I thought I'd start my own.

My current contract comes to an end in a few weeks. I had another job lined up which I had accepted but having thought about it I really don't want it. I can't bear the thought of starting it and think it will make me miserable. Am I completely mad to turn it down when so many people are out of work? Will this reflect badly on me if other employers find out I've refused a job? How do I tell them I don't want the job? I have enough money to manage a few months without work and my partner works full time so we'd survive.

I did this once.
I worked for the NHS and found out on being offered the job that it would be just me and the other new person who they were taking on that would have to work all the weekends and bank holidays between the 2 of us (when there was actually going to be 4 people working in the team - 2 of whom had been there for a long time).
I just thought stuff that, wrote to them and that was that.
Told my people writing references not to write them as I had withdrawn.
It did seem a little bit awkward but I was so relieved when I sent my letter to say that I wouldn't be taking the job.

Sounds like you made a good decision. I feel very awkward and a bit embarrassed, so am avoiding doing anything about it but I know in my heart I don't want the job.

Circumstances being as you say, i think you're right Namechange. I've had 4 or 5 jobs in the past few years that i've known from Day 1 i didn't really want, and haven't been able to stick at them. (I've posted on employment issues too.)
i'm getting to the stage in life (finally!!) when i know i'm just plastering over cracks each time I start another job I don't really want, and it's time to stop for a while and do something I actually want to do for the rest of my working life.
It's not as if I have a massive salary to miss, i'm on v low pay. Working for low pay doing something I dislike .. or working for probably just as low pay doing something I enjoy , that's my choice , and i'm going for B.
Namechange, you said it all when you said' i know in my heart' - I wish I'd listened to mine years ago, I'd be a lot happier now.

Thanks Tom, my decision is made in my head, but it really helps to hear your experience. I've never been in this situation before. I've always looked forward to new jobs in the past but this one just fills me with a huge sense of dread. Life's to short to be unhappy. I'd gladly accept a job with less money as long as I liked it. Just need to pluck up the courage to tell them! I'm sure, like bearcat, I'll feel relieved once it's done.