Work/life balance rethink. A shift in general attitude?

[413x]

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2...-watch-the-sunset-is-this-the-end-of-ambition

The above article certainly resonates for me.

I've never been particularly career focused. I work to live not live to work. I don't like or dislike my job. I can do it. It pays OK, it's in demand.
Critically, I have no desire to over achieve.

And for me it was covid, a health scare and the years it ripped away that really made me reassess my life. Or more.. Accept I am not career driven

Id always felt 'stupid' or 'lazy' for not caring about my career. But during covid I started to value 'time' much more. Hobbies, holidays, experiences.


I gave up on chasing career progression. You should progress right?

I consciously decided.. If I get more salary I'll take on more responsibility. I felt I was at the point of demismishing returns.

I don't think I 'need' any more money. By that I mean. It won't make me happier. Obviously things may change if cost of living rockets.

Also.. Seeing my well off miserable workaholic parents is another reevaluation point. They have much more than I'll ever have. But aren't happy. In fact I'd go as far to say that it's made them more unhappy.

I find myself now spending rather than just saving. Planning holidays I'd think were 'a waste' before covid.

Pursuing hobbies rather than working late. Because I thought I should work to get that "good" rather than "average" end of year review.



Seems like it's a growing trend. Probably.. People are realising they will be working forever, and won't have a retirement like my parents for example.So make more use of now. Because you'll be working forever anyway.

Anyone else in same position?

 

[413x]

Gave up the grind in finance about 10 years ago now to get into games. Took a huge pay and seniority cut at the time, but actually games (programming at least) pays alright now at senior levels. Decent money, interesting and fun work. Just need to get more holiday sorted out, considering buying loads more holiday days, or just going contract and not working every summer.

Certainly tempted by contract. Part of the idea of getting a 5 Yr fix on mortgage was to open that door. Work winter/spring/autumn. Have summer off. Not sure yet.

 

[413x]

I'm surprised so many are of a similar mindset.
Seems to be when you come to value time, and quality time, that it kicks in.

Also, you're earning enough to be able to cut back or slow down.

 

[413x]

Ive always had the mindset of the OP, seems like Covid has turned a lot of people this way as well.

I think I always had it. But never accepted it or embraced it.

Big changes for me were..

-This is the right level of responsibility/pay ratio
-This job isn't exciting but it's flexible, WFH
-Living where I want is more important than earning a lot in a place I don't want to be.
-It's OK to clock Off at 5,dont feel bad about it.
-It's not worth chasing that 5* end of year review. If it's money you want. Better to change jobs.

Next aim is to earn same but 4 days. Or even better. Summer off.

Used to feel guilty about it, felt I needed to be above average. Now I just do what's required



One of my friends is so different to me.
He wants to love his work. I admire it. He's very intelligent. He's gone back to uni to do a masters. To help him progress. He was paid well before so it's not totally for that.

Absolutely no way I could ever do that. I could never sacrifice the time as I just have never found a job I love enough.

 

[413x]

Suggestion for those young enough to plan ahead or those that are financially comfortable:

question the early life pension payments and consider the passive income option: Buy a property and let it out or invest/start your own business.

That's what I did and now have a healthy passive income and choose my day job roles based on effort/reward with a focus on work life balance.

The guy above that said that the career minded are often just trading time for money is spot on. They often times think they are 'winning' at life but they are losing really. Finance jobs are the perfect example of career minded foolishness - great salaries for idiots who work 12 hours a day and stress all day long.

The people I know who got on the housing ladder early are absolutely creaming it. They either work hard and are minted. Or they have an easy life and loads of free time.

Most got it via inheritance. But a few did it on merit. Its a massive leg up!

 

[413x]

That is so true.

I was actually having a conversation with a friend who is very different to me.

He likes work, or wants to. He's doing a masters now. He absolutely doesn't have to. He wants to.
He's putting in the graft now for later.
He's ambivalent on kids but think his partner wants them. But they want an even better salary, which I totally understand.

Me, I've decided I don't want to spend time now putting the effort in for later.
My hobbies require physical ability. If I went back to uni, or sacrificed too much now (mid 30s)i could easily find myself for some medical reason unable to enjoy my time.


Granted. I do wish I spent a bit More time in my 20s building up money, investments etc. But at 36. I feel time is ticking for things I enjoy.

 

[413x]

I think there are three different categories of working people

1) Those who are in jobs they either dislike or feel indifferent towards and don't have the drive to change career or unable to because of circumstance.

2) Those who are driven to achieve high status jobs, kudos and high wages.

3) Those who enjoy their job and actively engage in it, not for higher wages but because they enjoy the work.


Enjoying work and enjoying your personal life do not have to be in conflict if you find the right job.

I fall in to 1.
Job is easy enough. Not too motivated to progress (lack of reward).
Current too easy to encourage me to retrain into something else.

If the pay was dire, I'd be retraining to something else.

I have never had a job I loved.