View Full Version : Would you work if you didn't need the money?
Gardenarian
5-7-12, 7:59pm
I found myself pondering this question today.
I think that, if money were no object, I would still want to work at least one day per week as a college librarian. I'd also want to work one day doing community agriculture - working in the town orchard, helping in the local gardens and so on. I'd like to teach a few yoga classes (though I am only certified for kids yoga so far.) I'd like to spend at least 15 hours every week working on my current writing project. I would also enjoy doing storytimes at the local library a couple of times per week. The rest of my time would be spent as I now do - homeschooling dd, gardening, walking the dogs, reading, loafing.
After thinking about it, I realized that this kind of schedule might actually be possible for me. I probably could not reduce my library time below two days per week, but that would be a big change from 4 days. I could get my 200 hour yoga certification and start teaching. I already volunteer in the community agriculture program. If I put enough time into my book and get it published soon (it is a garden/permaculture book) I might be able to get some paying jobs doing garden workshops, or being a garden coach. And I do volunteer to do storytimes now and again - if I were working less I would enjoy doing more of that.
Just daydreaming, but those dreams might come true...
ApatheticNoMore
5-7-12, 8:18pm
Maybe .... But definitely not full time and not at anything kinda even sorta in any way resembling my current career.
Nope. Retired and have no plans to ever WORK again! Yeah!!!!
No freekin' way I'd work for anyone else. We'd make meaningful work, but punching a clock according to the work values of someone else isn't something I'd do.
Mighty Frugal
5-7-12, 9:26pm
nope! Well, not for money and not where I am now!
I am working more now that I don't have to work than when I was employed.
I am however doing quite different things.
ApatheticNoMore
5-7-12, 10:38pm
Well there is actually some work I'd like. I'd like to give massages a few hours a week (legitimate ones - get your mind out of the gutter :)). I'd like to work in a coffee shop part-time or something (I wouldn't mind the library either!). I'd like various work that helps people or works with people (could just do volunteering OF COURSE). But none of this brings in much money, so work, maybe, maybe, but what I am doing now ... NOOOOOO ....
Apparently not. I'm sometimes melancholy about never finding a vocation, but oh well.
Yes. In fact, it probably wouldn't look much different than what I currently do. I might do less of it, so I'd have more time to teach and to volunteer.
And I could never work for someone else again -- why should I, when there are as many opportunities for self-employment out there as there are stars in the sky? I've also come to the unfortunate conclusion that I'm almost completely unemployable. Much too stubborn, much too attached to my autonomy. Oh well.
And I could never work for someone else again -- why should I, when there are as many opportunities for self-employment out there as there are stars in the sky?
+1 I've come to the conclusion that my creative calling is business ideas--as my son recently said, the inspiration is no problem, but the perspiration is another thing!
I've also come to the unfortunate conclusion that I'm almost completely unemployable. Much too stubborn, much too attached to my autonomy. Oh well.
In my case.. probably much too old. Don't think there's much hiring of 60 year-olds these days--except as greeters in Wal-Mart.
I never needed to work but as a spouse, my security for the future was really in my hands. So I worked and earned my own pension and health insurance. We have talked about this and my husband said it really took the stress off him when he understood I was able to take care of myself and would be fine if anything happened. We have actually discovered that we could survive on only my pension and he actually changed to my health insurance.
When there was a corporate transfer, I gave up my job for 5 years and found that I really wanted it back after trying to stay home so I applied and got a lower stress job at my old office.
I am now retired after 31 years and perhaps would like to work a little but I dont want to take the job from someone who might really need it. So I donate my time and services to those volunteer organizations I like.
I will never be someone who is retired in the traditional sense of the word -- regardless of my financial position. I would probably continue to do something similar to what I do now, which is to work for a start-up on the operations/finance side because most days I consider it an interesting puzzle that needs to be solved. I would probably also continue to teach at the college level one or two classes a semester because I really love the students. I don't know if I'd continue my motivational speaking/corporate training work. I enjoy it, but in many ways it is *real* work and I'm trying to stay away from that!
flowerseverywhere
5-8-12, 9:06am
like Sweetana I worked part time as a nurse for personal security and once my kids were in high school switched to full time to get them through college. I continued full time and paid off the house, paid for two new cars and put then put my whole paycheck in the bank. It enabled DH to retire at 55 and although we don't live high on the hog, we can live without work. We both work on call in our old professions when they really need someone. We don't take someone's job that really needs it, as we get no benefits, just an hourly wage. It works out well for everyone. I think this is my last year and I know that DH is done in a few weeks, we got to the point where our personal life and hobbies interfere with even part time work. It is great to let go gradually, though.
I would still do what I do, I would miss it too much if I didn't!
One of the things I want to get into is to find furniture that people have thrown away, restore it, and re-sell them at garage sales....that would keep Matt and I busy and bring in extra income as well.
frugal-one
5-8-12, 10:23am
Interesting that people say they would never retire. To me retirement is the ability to do what I want, when I want. I have so many interests that there are not enough hours in the day or ambition to do them all. I never understand those who say they are bored. How can you be? There are so many things to explore and do. Money is not an issue because there are many free things as well. Perhaps, it is creativity?
morning girl
5-8-12, 10:39am
I have always said when I grow up, I want to be a docent at the zoo. Learning about the animals and giving tours. It volunteering but it's a job.
I have always worked as an executive assistant and I actually enjoy it - my heroine growing up was Miss Jane on the Beverly Hillbillies - weird, huh? I am thinking a lot about this as I get closer to retirement age. Ideally, I would like to slowly whittle away the number of hours I show up. That way my pension would continue to accrue and being of service and feeling part of a mission, whether paid or not, is important to me.
Ideally only one or two days a week though. I really could spend a lot more time outside being in nature, gardening, birding RIGHT NOW if I could get away with it financially.
Interesting that people say they would never retire. To me retirement is the ability to do what I want, when I want. I have so many interests that there are not enough hours in the day or ambition to do them all. I never understand those who say they are bored. How can you be? There are so many things to explore and do. Money is not an issue because there are many free things as well. Perhaps, it is creativity?
My sentiments exactly. i don't get boredom. On those rare occasions when I find myself "bored," it's soon apparent something else is going on. i could amuse myself for several lifetimes. Like others, I'm not interested in working to enhance someone else's bottom line or in spending my days taking orders from others.
I never understand those people who retire and then--two weeks later, are back on the scene volunteering. NEVER. I just don't get it.
I have a million things I want to do.
I DO like the idea of downshifting into part time work. Ideally, I'd be fully employed 40 hrs weekly during December, Jan and February
(no garden work to do) and part time March - Sept (with full days off) and with vacation in OCtober & November for potential long term travel.
ApatheticNoMore
5-8-12, 11:38am
Well the main thing is I hate my work, I always have, profoundly. I think maybe I'd just hate any full time corporate office job.
But then people always prod and push (when I'm off in my wish I didn't work fantasy): "wouldn't you get bored if you didn't work AT ALL". And I have to concede that yea, actually it's true, I would. I find my moods hard to manage and I fall into discontent when I have nothing to do at all (but I totally believe non-payed work - ie volunteering - would be perfectly fine with me - would OF COURSE DUH be way more fulfilling than an office job). But anyway contentment and happiness is anything but some kind of natural state, discontent is the natural state and I fall into it when doing nothing. The only problem is I hate my job EVEN MORE than that that discontent (much more really). I HATE HATE HATE HATE work.
Part-time work actually DID seem to be a pretty happy medium (plus of course it solved the money problem of not working at all!!). I did it for over 5 years, I would know :). I took a pay cut, I didn't care.
So yea whatever, I'd be happy to win the lottery, I wouldn't work full-time, I wouldn't work this job, but do part-time volunteering probably or even part-time paid work that was more interesting but paid less than current gig sure.
The never retiring thing is kind of what people accept if they don't believe retirement is realistic. Now I can save. That I can do at current income. But no pensions of course. Can't collect social security until 68 or so anyway (that's how it is for people my age) IF it's around then (remember the years when payouts are scheduled to decreases are always the years when I will be retiring). Not earning anything on my 401k (probably net negative since I started investing). So I can save principle, and like I said that is possible, and that's about all I can do, is accumulate principle (making money of money not actually working out so well). And the future unbelievably uncertain. And the thing is I WOULD GLADLY trade early retirement, would gladly even trade normal retirement and work WELL INTO MY 70s, for work I hated less now, or the right to work part-time now, OR EVEN BETTER THE ABILITY TO WORK PART-TIME AT WORK I LIKED BETTER NOW or sometime soon, that's what I want most to have, I think. And I'll gladly accept to do it until I can do it no more - since not working at all actually does make me discontent also.
chanterelle
5-8-12, 12:27pm
I have to agree with frugal one and Jane....There is way too much to do, even on my tiny income to ever be bored.
The problem for some people might lie in the fact that they, for any number of reasons, were not able to create interests, connections and passions outside of work before they retired.
This ca leave a giant hole when the 9 to 5 thing comes to an end.
"Can't collect social security until 68 or so anyway (that's how it is for people my age) IF it's around then "
Its up to us to make sure it is around--and not pushed back so far that potential recipients will have all died off. Social Security is one of the critical underpinnings of a robust middle class. We can't afford to lose any more ground.
No, I'd garden, make art & volunteer. Too bad I won't be able to retire due to debt. Next lifetime...
I quit my job at 49. So I guess you don't have to ask what I would do. I'll be turning 55 soon and I still have plenty of things I want to do. I do go visit the guys from work from time to time. Ive even been asked back. But I always say no thanks. Why in the world would I want to give up my time.
I feel sorry for those who have no life outside work and feel that they have nothing else to do.
Absolutely not!!! I would find some meaningful volunteer opportunities, I think, but no more than a few days a month. I can easily fill my day and have a fulfilling life by piecing together various activities - reading, gardening, grandchildren, travel, fitness / exercise / outdoor activities.
My heart aches a little bit when I look at my parents. They are in their mid-80's, and dad retired at 55. With their whole life in front of them, their days have gotten reduced to grocery shopping and doctor's appointments. *sigh* The economy has put a dint in their financial freedom, but there is really no compelling reason to live such a restricted lifestyle. My dad was always the one who said, "Live a little" when faced with a question of whether one should be frugal or extravagant (but not wasteful).
I suppose if I was retired my life wouldn't look much different than it does now,minus the embarrassment of having to tell people "yes, I /still/ haven't found employment yet". My days are pretty full, I do occasionally get bored for a day or two in between projects. I have time to visit with my aging parents, and my 1 year old grand niece, and garden and read and putter. I would like to do more travel in retirement, but with a working spouse it's harder to arrange.
DH says "no fricken way"!
I would fill my time with things I enjoy. I enjoy the company of my colleagues and the type of work I do, so maybe I'd go in one day a week. The other days, I'd commit to other activities I love. If only we could really divide up our time like this! This is part of the reason I chose to work only four days instead of five (people think I'm crazy) - I like my job, but I like other stuff too!! Why should I have to dedicate such a huge portion of my time to this one single thing when I enjoy so many other things?! I want the time to do these other things, not the money to distract myself from how wiped out I am from working too many hours.
I think, as I think more about it, I'd want life to be more like The Four Hour Work Week -- doing much the same thing I'm doing now, but less of it. I'd like to start other little ventures, volunteer more, work from different locations, take more self-care time, but yeah, keep working at something I loved doing. Allegedly one can do this already if one sets things up properly (says Timothy Ferriss) but I must not have the touch or something.
Its up to us to make sure it is around--and not pushed back so far that potential recipients will have all died off. Social Security is one of the critical underpinnings of a robust middle class. We can't afford to lose any more ground.
I was surprised to find that I CAN have even more disdain for the useless bureaucrats of the Social Security administration than I have for the pea-brained Housing and Urban Design functionaries. My loathing for the latter was developed and nurtured through many years of contentious interaction about issues that threaten my home and my neighborhood. So those Social Security folk are really doing a job to so quickly earn this mark of animus.
Maybe that is why the SSA office had bullet proof glass and the IRS office did not.
Your question "Would you work if you didn't need the money?". I assume you mean would I work out of the home for a salary if I didn't need the money. I am a homekeeper, housewife and farm manager. I work everyday (sometimes extremely physical work) for no money and will do so as long as I am physically able.
I wouldn't work for someone else but would continue to work for myself. Maybe something a little different than we currently do though.
ApatheticNoMore
5-9-12, 11:38am
Maybe that is why the SSA office had bullet proof glass and the IRS office did not
The DMV does. With good reason. And there are times I've sympathy for that Stack guy who flew a plane into an IRS building (one day too many struggling with the incomprehensible absurdity of the tax code ...).
Gardenarian
5-9-12, 3:02pm
Very interesting thoughts here, making me wonder what my definition of "work" is. I guess I'm defining work as "working for someone else, and having to do it whether you enjoy it or not." I like to be busy, "working" in some sense all of the time, but there sure is a big difference between digging in the garden and rushing around in the morning getting ready to go to my job.
Mostly I like my job and feel very fortunate, but there are many, many days when I feel like I am not making the best use of my short time here on earth! The sun is shining, my daughter is ready for anything, the garden is calling, and how long is it since I got my kayak out?
I guess I also need to define what I mean by retirement, because to me "retiring" means no longer being tied to an employer.
loosechickens
5-9-12, 8:38pm
I've NEVER had a job that I actually wouldn't have preferred to just be potting around doing my own thing instead. I think sometimes that I am a person MADE for sloth, although I certainly do a lot of things that actually are productive, such as baking all our bread, making clothing, etc., but actually a JOB......absolutely not.
My sweetie, on the other hand, has worked at various things and still does, although it's been quite a few years since he needed to work for money. He just likes getting involved in projects, making things happen, etc., although I notice over the past half dozen years, that has morphed pretty much into things he does on a volunteer basis, rather than taking on any paid gigs. He's kind of like bae, I think, busier since he HASN'T had to work for money than he was before, although doing different things.
We have friends, a couple, that are just as mismatched in that desire to be useful and to accomplish stuff. We used to joke that it was good that the gods matched us up with our opposites. Because two Energizer Bunnies like my sweetie and the wife of the couple would spin off into overdrive, although they both accuse me and the husband of the other couple, that if WE were a couple, we'd be sitting somewhere on the side of the road, homeless, arguing over who had to write the sign "Need Food"......as in "I did it last time, it's your turn", and "that's too much work, you do it".
My sweetie whizzes around me like a very busy bee, appointments, responsibilities, projects and activities happily filling his days, while I, in the recliner with my book, floating around in some swimming pool, or surfing the net before a nap happily do mostly nothing if I possibly can.
So.......No, I definitely wouldn't work when I didn't need the money. Heck, half the time, even when I DID need the money, I did my best to avoid it. ;-)
I've NEVER had a job that I actually wouldn't have preferred to just be potting around doing my own thing instead. I think sometimes that I am a person MADE for sloth, although I certainly do a lot of things that actually are productive, such as baking all our bread, making clothing, etc., but actually a JOB......absolutely not.
My sweetie, on the other hand, has worked at various things and still does, although it's been quite a few years since he needed to work for money. He just likes getting involved in projects, making things happen, etc., although I notice over the past half dozen years, that has morphed pretty much into things he does on a volunteer basis, rather than taking on any paid gigs. He's kind of like bae, I think, busier since he HASN'T had to work for money than he was before, although doing different things.
We have friends, a couple, that are just as mismatched in that desire to be useful and to accomplish stuff. We used to joke that it was good that the gods matched us up with our opposites. Because two Energizer Bunnies like my sweetie and the wife of the couple would spin off into overdrive, although they both accuse me and the husband of the other couple, that if WE were a couple, we'd be sitting somewhere on the side of the road, homeless, arguing over who had to write the sign "Need Food"......as in "I did it last time, it's your turn", and "that's too much work, you do it".
My sweetie whizzes around me like a very busy bee, appointments, responsibilities, projects and activities happily filling his days, while I, in the recliner with my book, floating around in some swimming pool, or surfing the net before a nap happily do mostly nothing if I possibly can.
So.......No, I definitely wouldn't work when I didn't need the money. Heck, half the time, even when I DID need the money, I did my best to avoid it. ;-)
So nice to hear from a fellow sloth. I'm sure it's partly trying to make oneself sound better, and partly that people who do less are disinclined to share it, but on forums such as this sometimes it seems to be a one-upmanship of busyness and productivity. If you always do tons of stuff, you're happy to share that with the world, but if you putter and relax, you don't necessarily want to put that out there. I'm just not that energetic. I've always been that way. Sometimes diet, stress, etc will have a certain impact, but I just like lots of free time. My husband is the same way, which is great. I can definitely do lots if I have to - at work I'm very efficient (the lazy person's tool) and productive. But that's more because I have to be there, I feel that they are paying me and it's unethical to slack, and the more I work now the earlier I can retire to really laze about. I just love lots of downtime and no specific schedule. Just want to do whatever fits the moment. So, thank you LC, for making me feel better about my life. I have considered you one of my mentors since I learned years ago you retired early and live in an RV. That's the dream for us as well.
Count me in. I have the metabolism of a dead person (I've always thought that of myself, so I had to laugh when a sibling's doctor gave them that very same diagnosis) and I'm disinclined to use what little energy I have to do stuff I don't want to do.
I think I would, but only part time and only at something I really enjoy.
. . And there are times I've sympathy for that Stack guy who flew a plane into an IRS building (one day too many struggling with the incomprehensible absurdity of the tax code ...).
I know you just meant this comment as an aside, but please remember that he killed an innocent worker along with himself:
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0222/Joe-Stack-IRS-attack-hero-debate-heats-up
Maybe that is why the SSA office had bullet proof glass and the IRS office did not.
ha ha, yup. Really, the IRS is straight up about their business which is to take your money, there's no deceit there.
It's the lying and conniving of the social do-gooders in SS & HUD that makes me want to try my Uzi against their bullet proof glass.
Well, I have to side with the sloths in that among the million things I'd like to "do" upon retirement are a fair number of things of the interior mind. This time of year is the most active one for me with garden clean up, but even then, even when I'm out in it the entire day doing cleanup chores obsessing over tiny details of flowers and plants, I find myself standing and staring at things so that's not burning a lot of calories.
thinkgreen
5-10-12, 2:42am
When I retired from working full time outside the home I tried working part time because I did enjoy my job. But I always got offers to work more projects and felt pressured to put in more hours than I wished to. I found it easier to not work at all than to say no to the persistent requests.
Having now been retired almost 10 years I wonder how I ever had time to work. I do the work at home that most of us do- gardening, home maintenance, marketing, food prep, caring for household members, etc. I volunteer with a food producing group and provide care, transportation and assistance to two family members who have poor health. In fact we have just gone to being a two car family after 30 years with just one car. We do have leisure time as well but it would fill up completely if we let it. If you don't have to work for money you surely must constantly guard your time.
And I could never work for someone else again.
Same here! I LOVE working out of my home office. And I've always done lots of volunteer work.
No way, though I could conceive of doing some work for myself.
When it's time for retirement, I'll be ready. Just hoping it doesn't arrive before I'm ready.
The DMV does. With good reason. And there are times I've sympathy for that Stack guy who flew a plane into an IRS building (one day too many struggling with the incomprehensible absurdity of the tax code ...).
I've lived in some funky urban areas, never been to either a DMV or a Social Security office with bulletproof glass. Never been to an IRS office, period.
Maryland motor vehicle offices do have a state trooper on site, though he/she tends to be occupied with customer questions.
Would I work if I didn't need money? Nope!! Quit work when I was 42 and never plan to go back. I'm not wealthy by any means but seriously frugal and need very little (although I have a nice cushion as well as a small government pension and free medical thru the military/VA). My life is very full and busy and interesting and challanging. Much more so then when I was working - and I had an interesting and challanging job but it was still a job. And the longer I'm off work, the better.
Count me in. I have the metabolism of a dead person (I've always thought that of myself, so I had to laugh when a sibling's doctor gave them that very same diagnosis) and I'm disinclined to use what little energy I have to do stuff I don't want to do.
And don't forget the part about having other people telling you what you have to do, and when you have to do it, and where you have to be, and for how long, and when you can go to the bathroom, and take a break, and take a lunch, and when you can go home, and when you can go on vacation, and for how long, and how you MUST stay and work overtime. I know that you just LOVE all that stuff and would miss it once you weren't working :-)!
I have to agree with frugal one and Jane....There is way too much to do, even on my tiny income to ever be bored.
The problem for some people might lie in the fact that they, for any number of reasons, were not able to create interests, connections and passions outside of work before they retired.
This ca leave a giant hole when the 9 to 5 thing comes to an end.
I agree. I never understood the "I will die of boredom if I retired" thing. Working took me away from having a life - at least the life I wanted - and now that I'm not working I am living to my fullest. Busy at the things that interest me, lazy at everything else :-)!
I am a teacher and like my job. I like the kids and I like teaching. But there is so much crap associated with politics and stupid policies implemented by the school administration as well as the school board central office that I would not continue to work if I didn't have to. Also, while I like teaching, I like other things more and that's another reason I'd prefer to not work and stay home.
Gardenarian
5-23-12, 3:41pm
And don't forget the part about having other people telling you what you have to do, and when you have to do it, and where you have to be, and for how long, and when you can go to the bathroom, and take a break, and take a lunch, and when you can go home, and when you can go on vacation, and for how long, and how you MUST stay and work overtime. :-)!
Funny, I homeschool so my daughter doesn't have to put up with that kind of controlling garbage, but here I am at work, blistering under the fluorescent lights....
Gardenarian
5-23-12, 3:56pm
Also, what about that saying:
"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." (attributed to Confucius.)
Seems like most of us would prefer to hang out and putter around. Not be unproductive, but definitely to be off-schedule.
There are a lot of reasons why I work, but the two main ones at the moment are
1) to pay for health insurance (which I feel really cowardly about) and
2) because I've been here 17 years and will be getting a pension in about 5 years. And that 5 years looks longer all the time.
I think this is both sad and pathetic. Admittedly, this has been one of the most difficult years in my life and I am surely less appreciative of the good things about work...but still...
I'm really feeling like civilization is over-rated.
Also, what about that saying:
"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." (attributed to Confucius.)
Seems like most of us would prefer to hang out and putter around. Not be unproductive, but definitely to be off-schedule.
There are a lot of reasons why I work, but the two main ones at the moment are
1) to pay for health insurance (which I feel really cowardly about) and
2) because I've been here 17 years and will be getting a pension in about 5 years. And that 5 years looks longer all the time.
I think this is both sad and pathetic. Admittedly, this has been one of the most difficult years in my life and I am surely less appreciative of the good things about work...but still...
I'm really feeling like civilization is over-rated.
The funny thing is, that even though I now feel the way I do about work, if I had a job I was interested in that was adventurous and allowed me to have the kind of lifestyle I wanted (definetly NOT a 9 to 5 kind of job) then I'd LOVE to go back to work. Would love to go work in Antarctica or join the Peace Corps or something like that. But, because of certain circumstances like having a dog, I'm not able to do some kind of adventurous job right now and probably never. So "being work-free" is the next best thing. I REALLY dislike the whole 9 to 5 routine of a regular job but being off on a slow boat to China or doing something exotic would be great.
ApatheticNoMore
5-23-12, 5:08pm
You can chose how seriously you take the whole thing and when to resist and when to comply (hopefully you stay employed). But fundementally meaning is found for me more in things outside work. The security work promises is illusionary to some degree anyway, your only going to die regardless. Still I don't blame you for wanting health insurance.
I really, really love my work. I think I answered before that I would continue.
If money were no object, I might work fewer hours overall. I would teach fewer classes, probably, as an example. At this point, I'd like to keep my schedule between 8 and 2, but i'm still working three evenings a week which makes several days long, but the rest do ok. ;)
You can chose how seriously you take the whole thing and when to resist and when to comply (hopefully you stay employed). But fundementally meaning is found for me more in things outside work. The security work promises is illusionary to some degree anyway, your only going to die regardless. Still I don't blame you for wanting health insurance.
So true...
And Gardenarian--There is nothing wrong with staying in your job to pay for something as vital as health insurance. You have to have it! And if you're staying 5 more years for your pension--that's nothing. You can do it!
I found myself pondering this question today.
I think that, if money were no object, I would still want to work at least one day per week as a college librarian. I'd also want to work one day doing community agriculture - working in the town orchard, helping in the local gardens and so on. I'd like to teach a few yoga classes (though I am only certified for kids yoga so far.) I'd like to spend at least 15 hours every week working on my current writing project. I would also enjoy doing storytimes at the local library a couple of times per week. The rest of my time would be spent as I now do - homeschooling dd, gardening, walking the dogs, reading, loafing.
After thinking about it, I realized that this kind of schedule might actually be possible for me. I probably could not reduce my library time below two days per week, but that would be a big change from 4 days. I could get my 200 hour yoga certification and start teaching. I already volunteer in the community agriculture program. If I put enough time into my book and get it published soon (it is a garden/permaculture book) I might be able to get some paying jobs doing garden workshops, or being a garden coach. And I do volunteer to do storytimes now and again - if I were working less I would enjoy doing more of that.
Just daydreaming, but those dreams might come true... I hope they do for you! It sounds like a great life, and I would love to see the book that you write!
I have always said when I grow up, I want to be a docent at the zoo. Learning about the animals and giving tours. It volunteering but it's a job. And could turn into a job if desired, or you could work at a nature center or state park, they sometimes have animals in need of care and it might not be so hard to get in.
Also, what about that saying:
"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." (attributed to Confucius.)
Seems like most of us would prefer to hang out and putter around. Not be unproductive, but definitely to be off-schedule.
...
I like the quote!
The funny thing is, that even though I now feel the way I do about work, if I had a job I was interested in that was adventurous and allowed me to have the kind of lifestyle I wanted (definetly NOT a 9 to 5 kind of job) then I'd LOVE to go back to work. Would love to go work in Antarctica or join the Peace Corps or something like that. But, because of certain circumstances like having a dog, I'm not able to do some kind of adventurous job right now and probably never. So "being work-free" is the next best thing. I REALLY dislike the whole 9 to 5 routine of a regular job but being off on a slow boat to China or doing something exotic would be great.
To Spartana and others...I am on my fourth and final career. It is the best one of them all. I work for the National Park Service and I only "work for pay" 6 months of the year. I am an interpretive park ranger, which means I give programs, rove and answer questions, and learn about geology, astronomy, archeology, zoology, the environment, the air, and pretty much anything else I can come up with to share with our visitors. I have the most excellent life, without too much stress.
(Like I will have a bit of stress doing a program in a couple of days, it will be my first sunset talk and I want it to go well and I will be giving the first slide show talk in June at our Annual Star Party, where the superintendent of our park will be there!! a bit of pressure yes, but still, I love it!)
This career is something that I will continue to do even if I do not need the money. I volunteer in the winter, at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, although I think in a couple of years we might consider going to a different park. When I volunteer, I only do it two days a week, and so does DH. The same two days! So we get our RV site for free, utilities included.
If I did not need the money, or won the lottery, I would work at parks that had short seasons. Places like Crater Lake in Oregon or Grand Tetons in Wyoming, those seasons are only ~3-4 months. Or I would work in the Alaska parks where it cost more to get there and back than you make money during the season. It would be nice if I could get a full-time subject to furlough job where I work for 7 or 8 months of the year, and have the other time off, because I would then get benefits, but I could never see myself working full time year round. (although I keep going back and forth on that too - if it was a perfect park, I might just do it, but I don't think so...)
I like my job, I like the people that I work with, and I love the learning that I can do on the job, and I love living in a National Park. Really, how many people can say that?
I found myself pondering this question today.
I think that, if money were no object, I would still want to work at least one day per week as a college librarian. I'd also want to work one day doing community agriculture - working in the town orchard, helping in the local gardens and so on. I'd like to teach a few yoga classes (though I am only certified for kids yoga so far.) I'd like to spend at least 15 hours every week working on my current writing project. I would also enjoy doing storytimes at the local library a couple of times per week. The rest of my time would be spent as I now do - homeschooling dd, gardening, walking the dogs, reading, loafing.
After thinking about it, I realized that this kind of schedule might actually be possible for me. I probably could not reduce my library time below two days per week, but that would be a big change from 4 days. I could get my 200 hour yoga certification and start teaching. I already volunteer in the community agriculture program. If I put enough time into my book and get it published soon (it is a garden/permaculture book) I might be able to get some paying jobs doing garden workshops, or being a garden coach. And I do volunteer to do storytimes now and again - if I were working less I would enjoy doing more of that.
Just daydreaming, but those dreams might come true... I hope they do for you! It sounds like a great life, and I would love to see the book that you write!
I have always said when I grow up, I want to be a docent at the zoo. Learning about the animals and giving tours. It volunteering but it's a job. And could turn into a job if desired, or you could work at a nature center or state park, they sometimes have animals in need of care and it might not be so hard to get in.
Also, what about that saying:
"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." (attributed to Confucius.)
Seems like most of us would prefer to hang out and putter around. Not be unproductive, but definitely to be off-schedule.
...
I like the quote!
The funny thing is, that even though I now feel the way I do about work, if I had a job I was interested in that was adventurous and allowed me to have the kind of lifestyle I wanted (definetly NOT a 9 to 5 kind of job) then I'd LOVE to go back to work. Would love to go work in Antarctica or join the Peace Corps or something like that. But, because of certain circumstances like having a dog, I'm not able to do some kind of adventurous job right now and probably never. So "being work-free" is the next best thing. I REALLY dislike the whole 9 to 5 routine of a regular job but being off on a slow boat to China or doing something exotic would be great.
To Spartana and others...I am on my fourth and final career. It is the best one of them all. I work for the National Park Service and I only "work for pay" 6 months of the year. I am an interpretive park ranger, which means I give programs, rove and answer questions, and learn about geology, astronomy, archeology, zoology, the environment, the air, and pretty much anything else I can come up with to share with our visitors. I have the most excellent life, without too much stress.
(Like I will have a bit of stress doing a program in a couple of days, it will be my first sunset talk and I want it to go well and I will be giving the first slide show talk in June at our Annual Star Party, where the superintendent of our park will be there!! a bit of pressure yes, but still, I love it!)
This career is something that I will continue to do even if I do not need the money. I volunteer in the winter, at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, although I think in a couple of years we might consider going to a different park. When I volunteer, I only do it two days a week, and so does DH. The same two days! So we get our RV site for free, utilities included.
If I did not need the money, or won the lottery, I would work at parks that had short seasons. Places like Crater Lake in Oregon or Grand Tetons in Wyoming, those seasons are only ~3-4 months. Or I would work in the Alaska parks where it cost more to get there and back than you make money during the season. It would be nice if I could get a full-time subject to furlough job where I work for 7 or 8 months of the year, and have the other time off, because I would then get benefits, but I could never see myself working full time year round. (although I keep going back and forth on that too - if it was a perfect park, I might just do it, but I don't think so...)
I like my job, I like the people that I work with, and I love the learning that I can do on the job, and I love living in a National Park. Really, how many people can say that?
No I wouldn't. I am too tired now to take proper care of myself. I need more time to rest. I have never been a morning person, so I would set my day around NAPS! I would take time to cook and eat better, move around more (I have a desk job) and study, meditate, help with the grandkids, crochet, or just loaf around.
Hey, someone else could use a job!
Wildflower
5-28-12, 12:51am
Definitely not!
Not at my current job. For what I have to do and what I get paid it's a good use of my life energy, but it's certainly not any sort of 'life passion' or anything.
Laura J - Your life sounds perfect (who wouldn't want to live in a Nat Park!!). I think people like you and Zoebird have the best of all worlds - you can live and work in parts of the world that are spectacular as well as have jobs that fulfill you (and pay the bills :-)!). That combination is hard to find for many people but I've found that most frugal simple living people who seem to just need "less" in life can find that balance between a job that pays "enough" yet a lifestyle that allow you to pursue a job you love.
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