WORKING FOR THE MAN
I worked full time last week while my co-worker was on holidays - visiting her daughter on the other side of the country. It's only been five months since I left my old job where I worked almost full time, but after only working two days a week for these last few months, I certainly noticed the impact of working Monday to Friday again.
IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT THE DOLLARS
Society puts a lot of value on what we do for a living and how much money we make. The comment I received several times in response to doing a full week's work was "think of all the extra money you'll have." The main lesson I've learned over these last months, is that it's not about where you work, or what your profession is, or how much money you make. No, it's about quality of life, friendships, family and living this time of life in a way that is enriching, not enslaving. The mighty dollar does not run my life - probably because we've adjusted our lifestyle enough to not really need too much to be happy.
I'm really looking forward to returning to my short working week and getting my time back again. I refuse to live my life worrying about the money I make or counting down the days until the weekend. I choose to focus on all the added extras of life and not lock myself into a mindset that insists that a full time job is the only answer to a comfortable retirement. Everyone's definition of "comfortable" is different - mine is probably quite modest and I'm hoping it will be full of fun and leisure and I'll have enough interests to keep me occupied.
GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT
I'm laying the foundation for retirement now and not waiting until I'm 65 or 70 and have worked myself into oblivion before I'm allowed to stop and smell the roses. After only a week of being at the 'coalface' full time I know that I've made the right choices in what works for me. My job is really pleasant and certainly not overtaxing but it's not where I want to spend the majority of my life. I want to be out in the world enjoying myself, and I'm sure retirement will take care of itself when the time comes.
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I read this and just think again and again: there is so much more important stuff out there than money. I need food and shelter and healthcare :-) but I just don't want to kill myself working for luxury extras…
ReplyDeleteme either Carla - money is not the be all and end all that the world tries to get us to believe.
DeleteYou've come a long way since May! You know it's funny. I have worried about money for most of my life and when I stopped worrying there was enough to be comfortable and happy!
ReplyDeletethat last sentence sums up my life Rena!! So much time and anxiety frittered away over something that shouldn't have taken up so much of my thought processes. There is so much more to life :)
DeleteIt is amazing! When I cut to part time I could not understand how I ever worked full time. We adapt.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how much of my life has been spent in an office answering someone else's telephone Haralee! Never again if I have any say in the matter - two days will be my maximum :)
DeleteI've been a stay-at-home mom most of my life. In fact, added together, I've only worked outside the home for about ten years in sixty! And it's reflected in my pension - which adds up to a little over a hundred dollars a month! But I wouldn't trade the memories - or the time with my kids - for anything! You're right. It's really NOT about the money! :)
ReplyDeleteI think going back to work full time for almost two weeks has made me appreciate how good my life is now and money just isn't a big enough lure to pull me back Diane - I think you made the right choices!
DeleteMoney is so fleeting but the pleasures with family, friends and enjoying life is priceless. When I retired 4 years ago I was worried about how I would make it financially but, you know what, I've adjust my life style and am having a ball. If we want to drop everything and go to the beach we can and that is real riches !!! Or spending the day with my daughter - that is without price. I'm loving smelling the roses right now !!!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds lovely Rebecca - I can't imagine why anyone would choose the 9-5 grind over all the freedom that retirement or part-time work offer. I love the flexibility too :)
DeleteReally enjoyed this post. Yes, there is much more to life than to be working full-time but some of us have to do it in order to survive and pay our bills.I'm 47 and my mission is to retire in 9 years, sell all we own and hit the states via RV. Life is too short and too precious to be "all work and no play". Thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteI was the same up until this year Brenda - I worked because bills needed to be paid. Once I realized that we could manage on less it was such a joy to let it all go. I bet you are counting down until you can get that RV!
DeleteI'm pro fun and play, definitely:) And smelling the roses! Life's too short, so let's enjoy it before it's too late.
ReplyDeletexx Abby
we'll smell those roses together Abby - it's a flower France and Australia both manage to grow (obviously for good reason!)
DeleteI so appreciate you sharing your post at the #AnythingGoes Link Party. I'm looking forward to what you'll share with us next week.
ReplyDelete