Post # 1
Member
73 posts
Worker bee
I hope no one takes this the wrong way, but I’m very curious to know what public opinion is. If you could reasonably live (let’s say middle class) without working because a small money tree grows in your backyard, would you not work? If you didn’t work, what would you fill your life with? I would love to hear people’s thoughts on this.
Note*: Being an at home mother or father is a separate issue in my mind because I see motherhood and fatherhood as a full time job. So, if you were childless, would you still not work?
Post # 3
Member
2559 posts
Sugar bee
I’d still work – I love my job and get a lot of fulfillment out of it!
Post # 4
Member
172 posts
Blushing bee
I’d go crazy not working! Even with a newborn baby, I had to end my mat leave 6 months early just so I could work!
Post # 5
Member
2353 posts
Buzzing bee
I’m a humanities professor – I’m already not in it for the money.
Yeah, I do what I do because I need it like air.
Post # 6
Member
300 posts
Helper bee
I’d still work, but definitely not in my current job. I do this job because it pays well and I’m good at it. If I had unlimited funds, I would do something FUN that I suck at!
Post # 7
Member
11324 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
I would not be a lawyer any more for sure. But I wouldn’t do nothing. I’d just focus all my attention on photography and not worry so much about whether or not I could make a living doing it! haha
Post # 8
Member
73 posts
Worker bee
I’m surprised at how many people enjoy what they do.
@ProfessorGirl: That’s really interesting, what do you teach? Are you an English professor?
Post # 9
Member
3092 posts
Sugar bee
I don’t “have” to work but I do. Not “having” to work however makes it easier to say no and to stand my ground than when I was afraid of not being able to make ends meet.
If I ever got to a point where I felt that I was not living a fulfilling life and work was somehow contributing to that I would change that by either not working or finding a new path. I don’t really buy into the 9-5 retirement at 55 BS. I think we’ve bought into a stupid system that sucks a lot of our lives away. Anyway, I’d do crafts, travel, garden, stuff I love.
Post # 10
Member
4322 posts
Honey bee
I wouldn’t do just ANYTHING. It would have to be something I love, respect, and can get behind 100%. I might take up volunteer causes, or paint paintings. But I would not, could not, will never go back to an office setting. EVER EVER EVER.
Post # 11
Member
1715 posts
Bumble bee
Nope. I wouldn’t have a “real” job. I throw myself into my crafts and cooking though. I’ve always wanted to open a real candy/cakery shop. So yeah, thats what I would do.
Post # 12
Member
2073 posts
Buzzing bee
I’d probably only work part time. I was home for a period of time (long story) and really enjoyed all the stuff that went along with keeping up the house, planning dinners, being able to go to the grocery store when it’s not so crowded, shopping at multiple grocery stores, etc. It was a bit of an adjustment to go back to work full time again. I do love my job but I’d give it up to stay at home and keep up the house.
Post # 13
Member
2353 posts
Buzzing bee
@velvetcats: Yes, English. General stuff – basic Gen Ed literature, which I love – but I also get to teach upper level and grad courses in Renaissance lit, Shakespeare, literary theory, etc. I can’t believe I get to do this for a living. I’ll be broke my whole life because even the best jobs in humanities don’t pay well and I owe my soul in student loans, but it’s still worth it!
Post # 14
Member
219 posts
Helper bee
I think I would want to work, but I would probably do something that was too financially risky to do in my current situation, like try to become a professor.
Post # 15
Member
5373 posts
Bee Keeper
I wouldn’t want to ‘work’ if I didn’t have to (: I would do little things on the side though like open an Etsy store or sell cupcakes occasionally for things like baby showers and birthday parties.
Post # 16
Member
73 posts
Worker bee
@ProfessorGirl: That’s great that you get to do what you love for a living! I just graduated from undergrad and I’m debating if I want to go on and earn a phd in philosophy. Unfortunately for me, philosophy is incredibly competitive. Plus, I’m not sure if academia would really be that fulfilling. The pressure to publish might get to be too much 10 or 20 or 30 years down the line. On the other hand, I love learning and the thought of being a professor is pretty glamorous.