[tryingtobeconstruct]

I'm so desperately unhappy in my life and job that I've asked my parents if they could set me up with a trust fund that would just pay me the same as what I earn on my crap low paying job. At least then I wouldn't have the daily stress of going to a place that makes me miserable. (Whether or not they actually are even able to do that is a big question, but not the point here.)

It’s not that I'm just miserable in this job, I've been miserable in every job I've ever had. I see no reason to think that another job would be any better than all the others.

Part of their response surprised me. They genuinely seem to think that I would be even unhappier if I didn't go to a job every day. They say that the boredom and lack of purpose would just make things worse.

Even more surprising is that one friend agrees with them, insisting that unhappy lottery winners are proof that too much money just makes life worse.

This is all baffling to me. If I just had my days to live as I want I would never run out of meaningful things to do. I already spend most of my free time on volunteer projects that benefit others. I’ve also been pursuing other hobbies and life changes that bring me a lot of happiness.

So all of this is a long way of asking: if you could get the money to live about the same as you do now (including insurance etc), but without the need for a job, would that ruin your life?

I know that for me personally, having a job to go to keeps me busy and gives me a sense of purpose, even if it's very small. When I was sitting at home all day, the novelty wore off quickly and it made my mood worse.

If I ever won a ridiculous amount of money, I might not be working at that job anymore but I'd be in school studying something of interest to me. Having healthy, productive things to do makes a big difference in my depression.

[Sassandclass]

Originally Posted by tryingtobeconstruct

I'm so desperately unhappy in my life and job that I've asked my parents if they could set me up with a trust fund that would just pay me the same as what I earn on my crap low paying job. At least then I wouldn't have the daily stress of going to a place that makes me miserable. (Whether or not they actually are even able to do so is a big question, but not the point here.)


It’s not that I'm just miserable in this job, I've been miserable in every job I've ever had. I see no reason to think that another job would be any better than all the others.


Part of their response surprised me. They genuinely seem to think that I would be even unhappier if I didn't go to a job every day. They say that the boredom and lack of purpose would just make things worse.


Even more surprising is that one friend agrees with them, insisting that unhappy lottery winners are proof that too much money just makes life worse.


This is all baffling to me. If I just had my days to live as I want I would never run out of meaningful things to do. I already spend most of my free time on volunteer projects that benefit others. I’ve also been pursuing other hobbies and life changes that bring me a lot of happiness.


So all of this is a long way of asking: if you could get the money to live about the same as you do now, but without the need for a job, would that ruin your life?

Well, I can only speak from a bit of experience. I always worked full time for years and years until a couple of years ago when I was able to go to part time. It hasn't been a smooth transition. TBH, even though I volunteer, help others, bake cookeis for the elderly, drop meals off for those who are sick, work part time ---- I'm still, well, bored. I used to have an exciting that was challenging but rewarding. Now I volunteer and work a part time job. Important things, to be sure. But not exactly challenging. And I think that's the rub. Left to our own devices, will we make life challenging enough for ourselves? Or do we need to be forced into it (and enjoy it despite ourselves)?

[Unrigged64072835]

I don't have a job now because I'm on disability. Quite honestly, I'd rather have a job if I could.

[healingme4me]

Ever seen retirees return to the workforce? I have.

I work a ten month a year contract. The extended time off is nice, yet, at the same time, year after year, I look forward to returning.

I've taken some years off, 3.5 to be exact in childrearing, but, being around others has an effect that cannot be expressed well enough in words.

Social constructs and boredom do seem to be hinderances in workplaces. So I do understand that frustration. Would viewing employment as solely an income provider help? Would a sense of confidence regarding your unique, innate qualities, help? We all bring something to the employment table, afterall. And everyone around is going through their own turmoils whilst tackling the employer/ment goals.

Was just reminded of an old adage, idle hands are the devils work.

Some non profits do pay income...if volunteerism is what drives your sense of feeling in a rut in your career path.

[Raindropvampire]

It would be a heaven sent blessing to not have to work. I thrive on not having a schedule and being able to do what I want when I want. About 80-90% of my depression comes from working and being on a schedule. In the past when I haven't had a job I've been the happiest and was even able to reduce my meds. Unfortunately I'm too stubborn to be on disability while I can still work. So I work and have no quality of life.

[eskielover]

When we look back in past history I can tell you that many of the people who worked did it ONLY to support themselves & their families but hatec the work they did. But working & providing for ones self is a RESPINSIBILITY & being responsible gives its own sense of satisfaction to not be dependent on anything but ones own self. I know for me that was the drive that pushed me to get my degree & my career because I HATED being dependent on anyone else for anything. That mind set was what made it so difficult to end up on disability.

[Turtle_Rider]

If that's really happen, I would be very happy. My main depression is come from money issues. I'm afraid I cannot support myself financially after my father death. Unlike US, my country does not provide support for disability. So if I don't have money, I would be homeless. I don't want to be homeless. That's why I keep lamenting about my unemployment status.

No jobs does not meaning no purpose. I have dreams that I want to pursue regardless of the job I have.

[fishin fool]

Originally Posted by Turtle_Rider

If that's really happen, I would be very happy. My main depression is come from money issues. I'm afraid I cannot support myself financially after my father death. Unlike US, my country does not provide support for disability. So if I don't have money, I would be homeless. I don't want to be homeless. That's why I keep lamenting about my unemployment status.

No jobs does not meaning no purpose. I have dreams that I want to pursue regardless of the job I have.

I like what you said there, "no job does not mean no purpose"
I worked full time for over 30 years and no longer work at all.
It was an adjustment but there are things I love to do that keep me
busy and even though my kids are grown they will always be my purpose.
I think if you have a hobby you love you will not miss work very much
and may even be able to turn it into a small business that you put
your time into. No set schedule is something I do much better with.

[lily245]

Ever heard of basic income? They're experimenting with it in a few countries around the world right now (Finland, Canada, India, Kenya etc). Basically it's a program that would provide universal basic income for EVERYONE. Just enough money for food and housing atleats. (Seriously, have you ever thought of how ridiculous it really is to actually be forced into a system that makes you pay just to survive on this planet? It's insane.) Surveys shows that when you don't have to worry about where you're next paycheck will come from you'll have more time to explore what you it is you really want to do, maybe get an education in a field that you love, start your own business etc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_income
https://www.forbes.com/sites/timwors.../#3c82d87b5f70
8 basic income experiments to watch out for in 2017 - Business Insider Nordic

Do you really think our purpose on this planet is to work at a job our entire life that we hate just so we can survive? No. We're here to thrive, to find our purpose, to love, live, laugh, connect and learn. I say, if you're parents are ok with supporting you go for it. You won't have to worry about your financial situation and you have a chance to use all this free time to work on yourself, dive down into personal development, do things that you love, take care of yourself, maybe reach out to people and find new friends and explore what you really want to do with your life. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[splitimage]

If I didn't have to worry about money, I'd be hugely relieved. I'm currently working a part time job I hate but it's all I can handle mentally, and I still have to rely on family for help which I hate. I'm in the process of applying for disability insurance, but that'll take 8 month's. It's been 6 years since I worked full time, and I've had no problem filling my time. I volunteer, I read, I meditate. If I had a no strings attached income, I'd be supreemely happy.

splitimage

[MerryCat]

exactly lily245 - I have been happy when on unemployment and cried my eyes out when I had to back to work full-time to a much lower level job than I had before. Although when I have a job I like and I am making enough to survive, I am more than happy for the productive feeling I gain from it. But I also could fill my time with reading, art, helping others etc without a problem. Have you thought of starting your own business? I have worked for my self off and on and I have a boyfriend with a pretty bad mental illness that works for himself, It 's a different kind of stress being your own boss.

[greentires4me]

Right now I'm on disability then I had part time work on top of that and got hurt on the job unfortunately so all I go to lots of doctor appointments I don't feel bored I just sometimes get lost in my voices and they always tell me the worse things

[Morigan]

Originally Posted by tryingtobeconstruct

I'm so desperately unhappy in my life and job that I've asked my parents if they could set me up with a trust fund that would just pay me the same as what I earn on my crap low paying job. At least then I wouldn't have the daily stress of going to a place that makes me miserable. (Whether or not they actually are even able to do that is a big question, but not the point here.)

It’s not that I'm just miserable in this job, I've been miserable in every job I've ever had. I see no reason to think that another job would be any better than all the others.

Part of their response surprised me. They genuinely seem to think that I would be even unhappier if I didn't go to a job every day. They say that the boredom and lack of purpose would just make things worse.

Even more surprising is that one friend agrees with them, insisting that unhappy lottery winners are proof that too much money just makes life worse.

This is all baffling to me. If I just had my days to live as I want I would never run out of meaningful things to do. I already spend most of my free time on volunteer projects that benefit others. I’ve also been pursuing other hobbies and life changes that bring me a lot of happiness.

So all of this is a long way of asking: if you could get the money to live about the same as you do now (including insurance etc), but without the need for a job, would that ruin your life?

confucius said - do something you love - then you never have to work a day in you life.

if things were that easy then this world sure as hell would be a better place.

i think the message is rather - ADAPT -
decide what you need in life to be happy

if you find a way to life that would truly make you happy - be brave enough to pursuit it

alternatively - how old do you want to be when you retire
how much money do you need to do so comfortably

what set of skills / talents do you have a pursuit a career to make this a reality

what can you do to enhance these skills

if volunteer work is your passion find a way to capatilise on that AND make your dreams come true

I believe in the message portrayed in " The Secret"

If you see obstacles there will be obstacles

See opportunities

Dude - initially I thought the message was a load of BS -
I am the most cynical person you would have ever had met

But - seriously

once I started seeing opportunities
the impossible became

I am possible

I refuse to settle for anything less

know this road is not the easiest but if it was easy

everybody would sure as hell be doing it

what do you have

that distinguishes you?

develop yourself - grow

I wish you all the best

never see reasons why something will not materialise
work on action plans

you are the architect of your future

Go in peace and prosper

[tryingtobeconstruct]

Originally Posted by MerryCat

Have you thought of starting your own business?

I work every day on my own business. It's all I've wanted for years. I'd have a much better chance of making it happen if I could devote my energies to it instead of my crap job.

No, it would improve my life exponentially. A big cause of my unhappiness right now originates from lacking a stable income to adequately support myself and do the things that I'm passionate about.

If I could focus on doing things that I'm passionate about and learning new skills rather than constantly having to fight and struggle to accomplish things in my life alongside having to deal with the fear of being homeless one day because of how much trouble I have obtaining and holding regular jobs, I would be a significantly happier and better person.

Money would improve my life so much. I'd be able to move out of my family's house.

He's how I see it

I would rather be happy doing a job I love making money doing something that was dear to my heart rather than working and doing something I hate

I would be unhappy without money, so I would want to work
But I would be unhappy working somewhere I hate

[dermald]

My mother once said, Money cannot buy happiness, but I sure am more comfortable when I cry in my Mercedes.

There are a few things here that I'd like to address before I get to the meat of the matter.

It’s not that I'm just miserable in this job, I've been miserable in every job I've ever had. I see no reason to think that another job would be any better than all the others. The common denominator in all of this is you. You are right, when you say that you have no reason to think that another job would be any better. The job isn't necessarily what brings the happiness. The source of the happiness should be inside you.

Part of their response surprised me. They genuinely seem to think that I would be even unhappier if I didn't go to a job every day. They say that the boredom and lack of purpose would just make things worse.

This comes down to a sense of purpose, unity, and so on. I've had jobs where I feel a sense of purpose when I do my job. And when there's a big issue at work, and I can pitch in, and feel that I am a part of a tribe.

This reminds me of a podcast I heard recently, where Joe Rogan interviews Sebastian Junger. Sebastian has lots of things to say about this, so I'll try to paraphrase.

He references someone who told him that they "miss Hurricane Catrina." This was a storm that caused lots of death and destruction. What they person is actually missing is the sense of community. People were nicer, friendlier, and helped each other. Opportunities to help were abundant, so this person felt more useful and had a sense of purpose.

There were other people who would go into war, where they had no internet or phone access, they had little to no food or drinking water, they were in the dirt with almost no shelter, and they were getting shot at daily by the enemy. After a year of this, when they return to civilization, they say that they "miss the war" and want to go back.

When things are challenging, we come together and grow. When things are prosperous and easy, we fall apart.

I can't help but think of the Myrtlewood tree, which grows in a 90-square-mile patch in Oregon. It is a hearty wood, due to the highly adverse weather conditions that it experiences. It becomes more flexible, more durable, and better suited for a variety of uses.

If our planet had NO wind at all, then trees would not face any adversity. They'd not be challenged. As a result, they would eventually be crushed under their own weight.

I don't see why we natural beings would be any different. I don't have a job now, and yes, I could find lots of fun things to do. I could sleep in, or otherwise take it easy. But instead I'm working on improving myself, learning, and getting out there to help others [I won't get into my volunteering details, as that's not why I'm doing it].

Knowing how to challenge yourself is good. Once you leave your comfort zone, personal growth begins to occur. Then you become better at handling bad people and adverse situations.

I could go on, but will leave it at that.

, if you're interested. Best of luck.

Originally Posted by tryingtobeconstruct

It’s not that I'm just miserable in this job, I've been miserable in every job I've ever had. I see no reason to think that another job would be any better than all the others. So all of this is a long way of asking: if you could get the money to live about the same as you do now (including insurance etc), but without the need for a job, would that ruin your life?

I think they may be snookering you a bit. On the one hand a few years back I got laid off and I thought I was going to LOSE MY MIND. I was so happy when it happened but after about 2 weeks time seemed to stand still and every day seemed unending. I couldn't talk to friends because they were at work... and I was stuck with the CRUD that passes for day time tv.

That being said, I will be retiring as soon as possible, I think 10 years. I do think I will be able to keep myself occupied and might even start my own business. I feel like age and wisdom has pointed out all that I am missing and I actually have a list of things I want to do in retirement.

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

So all of this is a long way of asking: if you could get the money to live about the same as you do now (including insurance etc), but without the need for a job, would that ruin your life?

Well, I sort of already do, because I'm "disabled" and so on benefits. It's not ideal, but I get by. The government has for the most part been good to me, for which I'm very grateful, because I couldn't do it otherwise. Just going to the shops 1-2 minutes walk away from my home is an accomplishment for me. I have a place of my own and drag my butt through life as best I can, trying to "heal" and all that. Having mental health problems feels like a job, in a way. Hah. But, I keep myself productive, busy, and learning; for both my health and my future. My brain may be a bit of a mess, but it's not stupid and so I try to use it when I can.

[Sunflower123]

No, money would not ruin my life. Quite the contrary. The more the better. I would get my own house, a new car, pay off my family's debts, give to charities that I am passionate about and hire a personal assistant and a housekeeper who cooks. Having said all that I would go back to school to pursue a bachelors and masters degree in social work. I went the accounting, MBA, and CPA route but would like to make a career change. I'd also travel the world.

[*Laurie*]

No, money would not ruin my life...it would ease my anxiety tremendously.

I just reread the OP,

If I didn't need a job and was just rich without working I would probably feel incredibly lazy. I mean, it's different if I worked really hard to acquire that kind of wealth and I just got to retire early or something,
But to me, there is something that everyone is passionate about. Everyone has the one thing that makes life worth living and to me, if I could make money doing that, then that's what I would do.

If I didn't have a reason for living but I was rich beyond anything, I would be miserable.

I did land a sizeable amount of money. Enough to survive nicely for two years. It lasted only ten months and I have not a damn thing to show for it. I lived quite the exciting life but I suffer now the consequences.