How many people are in jobs they'd continue to do (even part time) if they didn't have to?

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Bastrato@reddit

I literally love my job. I went back to my original career after 15 years office based recently and I'd do it for free if I didnt need the money.

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Bastrato@reddit

I make things out of wood. I make a lot of fancy staircases, cabinetry, windows and doors, the odd oak structure. We also do a fair bit of restoration work.

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Glittering_Echo_7963@reddit

How can someone get that job nowadays?

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Illustrious_Page_718@reddit

Oooh, could you share some pictures as I am looking for some furniture currently?

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I'm a bench joiner. Pay is shit compared to my time in management (about £45k +overtime), but I make and restore beautiful stuff for interesting properties in a small team of like minded people. It is great.

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Srddrs@reddit

Some friends and I have been talking about this recently. Not necessarily because of the job itself but more because of who they are as people.

In my closest group of friends, there’s 7 (8 including my boyfriend but the group predates him) of us. 2 are very motivated by their jobs. They don’t mind being cogs in the machine and take pride in their role in society as being “normal” and having good jobs and paying their taxes etc. If money was no object they’d still have jobs.

Then there’s a couple of us who are the total other end of the spectrum. They are much happier not working, and I feel like their impact on society would be much greater if they didn’t have to spend time and energy earning money. One would definitely run a dog rescue centre and spend time on creative endeavours, the other is a physicist and would spend his time researching or building things to improve society. They would do really well in a society that had UBI.

The rest of us are kiiind of in the middle. We probably need the structure of classic employment so that we don’t end up as bed rotting hermits, but definitely not full time. We might not have clear paths to contribute to society if we weren’t working, but we’d probably figure it out if we didn’t have to work full time.

You can probably figure out which are the ones with ADHD / Autism and which are the neurotypical ones in our group 😂😂

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julzibobz@reddit

Haha that last sentence. Was literally just about to write that

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KatVanWall@reddit

I’m an editor, and I’m pretty sure I’d continue to do my work maybe half time even if I didn’t have to.

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RunsWithGlueSticks@reddit

I work with SEN children and honestly love the school I am in. It's a 6 min walk from my house. The staff are a proper work family. Also, the vibe of a primary school is just unlike anywhere else I've worked; the children are just enthusiastic about everything. Every holiday? They're thrilled. They see me? They're thrilled. They did so much for my mental health over Covid and I can't overstate that. I also feel like a part of my local community.

I've diversified now and work in the office most of the time; LSA work is physically and mentally tough. However, I still have a few mornings in the classroom, and I feel as if I have the best of both worlds.

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Isgortio@reddit

I'm about to qualify as a dental therapist. I'm a weirdo about teeth and wanting people to look after them, I offer advice on here for free because I know it's difficult for people to access dental care.

If I won the lottery, I wouldn't give up work, I'd set up a mobile clinic and restart school dentistry. If we can give kids the best dental start, there's a better chance of them having good dental health as an adult.

I'm in it because I really enjoy it, and I know I'll always be learning new things.

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notanadultyadult@reddit

Oooo I have a question: flossing. My dentist told me to floss more. So I’ve been doing my best. Every night (except for about a week last month when I had a wisdom tooth removed and could barely open my mouth) but I’m still getting build up between 2 lower front teeth that are tight together. Whyyyy? I’m doing all the right things but this area just refuses to cooperate. Is it my technique? Or am I just resigned to always getting build up here?

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Jumpy-Jello-@reddit

Can you advise on at-home whitening?

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Isgortio@reddit

Do it via your dentist. If you have retainers you can use those instead of whitening trays, but your dentist might prefer to make whitening trays. Whitening gels are only available on prescription from a dentist, I wouldn't recommend trying to buy some online as they may be counterfeit or too strong which can cause burns to your mouth (not worth it!).

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Ok-Application-8045@reddit

What a wonderful tooth weirdo you are!

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

Wow, I hope you do win the lottery!

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Alundra828@reddit

I wouldn't work my job, but I would still do the work of my job.

I'm a programmer. I like programming things, I have about 50 hobby projects on the go lmao and most of them are alive because I like doing it. The problem with my job is that it's web dev. Which is like the unga-bunga form of my work, and quite frankly I get why so many web developers burn out, but I also know why this space makes so much money.

Personally I don't find it fulfilling at all. I used to, but there is only so many times you can interface with a client that thinks they know your job better than you, about a feature nobody cares about on a website that nobody uses supporting a product or service that nobody buys. Relatively. It's just a bit... y'know, I feel I can be do making some cooler shit than this.

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bugblatter_@reddit

Climate change/energy/engagement and comms.

I wish I didn't have to do this job, but yes, I'd do it for free. I did so, before I was getting paid to, so at least now I'm getting a wage, I'm doing what I can for my daughter's future, it keeps my climate anxiety at bay.

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

How did you get into that, if you don't mind me asking?

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bugblatter_@reddit

There's lots of ways if you're interested. If you'd like a bit of a pointer specific to you I'd be happy to chat. Most companies have some sort of every/sustainability focus, and if they don't they should. You can get involved via your union, via volunteer groups such as Transition Towns, or by getting a job in an environmental charity.

Everything has a climate change angle. At the end of the day it's not even necessary to talk about climate - everyine wants to save money, and a good net zero project is one that saves money.

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

Thanks. I'm in healthcare, I'd be keen to know if there are any ways of getting involved that don't require you to have been a manager first.

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bugblatter_@reddit

Are you in the UK? Are you NHS? Honestly there's so many ways. If you're happy to share some more specifics about yourself (I. E. Type of role you currently do, your interests, past experience, what city you live in, do you want a total career change of just to develop something in your work, or volunteering) I'll have a think and come back to you with some potential starting points.

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Different_Fall1391@reddit

I'm a dog walker. Some of my clients are so lovely I would walk them for free tbh. Especially when the weather is as nice as it is now I am living the dream.

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Careless_Soup_109@reddit

Can I ask if it pays well enough to make a living?

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saccerzd@reddit

I've never thought of the dogs being the clients haha

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HAZZ3R1@reddit

I'm hoping that in 3-4 years I'll have the qualifications to do a job that I really believe I'd stick with if my body can.

I want to be a prosthesist as I'm an amputee and knowing how it feels as the receiving end I really think I'd love the job!

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warmslippers12345@reddit

Nope! I would do a different course each year that interests me if I could. Gardening, french, ballroom dancing, literally anything that took my fancy.

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nickenchuggets27@reddit

I work in administration in a hospital. I'd definitely continue part time if I could but only until I become doddery and frankly too much of a liability to work. Unfortunately most of my part time colleagues are 75+ and could really do with retiring.

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tyger2020@reddit

Why ask if you're gonna limit to people who are 'only super passionate about work?'

I like my job, I'd do it part time even if I was rich for social benefits, routine and to have some kind of purpose except getting drunk at my villa in Majorca..

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n0d3N1AL@reddit

I would imagine many therapists enjoy their work, depending on their clients and specialisms.

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RelationshipLife6739@reddit

Pretty sure actually mental health counsellors and therapists are two of the most “depressing jobs” with them being extremely emotionally challenging and burnout prone. I mean a big chunk of them are basically just sat in a room listening to how terrible their clients lives are for like 8 hours. Being around a negative environment like this 24/7 can be pretty damaging to one’s own mental health…

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Fun-Wrongdoer1760@reddit

Most decent training programmes pay equal attention to the personal psychological development required to do the job as much as they do theory and skills. Of course there are moments of sitting with distress and pain but often those moments come with the possibility of change. Also helping someone to recover from mental illness feels profoundly rewarding in a way that’s hard to compare to experiences outside of the therapy room. I imagine doctors maybe understand something of this when they successfully treat someones illness. Suffice to say you will never experience the crisis of meaning that many people feel ground down by in more corporate roles.

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smelliepoo@reddit

Yes, it is stressful sometimes and can be a challenge. I dont just sit in a room listening to how terrible my clients lives are, I am constantly looking for the diamonds within and I happen to care a lot about my clients, so in reality I am sitting in a room with people I care about for 8 hours and trying to help them see how wonderful they really are. It is not always sunshine and rainbows, obviously, but I don't carry their stress, it is not mine! And I would do this job unpaid if I had the opportunity, because then I could work with the people I really want to work with all the time.

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10horsesizedducks@reddit

Very well put about not carrying their stress!

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Indigo_Leaves@reddit

You are 100% correct.

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10horsesizedducks@reddit

I agree that it can be really difficult, and you really do have to be very aware of how you're doing mentally to make sure you're not taking on too much. At the same time though (and again I know this is just me so not pretending to speak for therapists more widely) I would say I've now got the best support network I've ever had, with a great supervisor, a mentor, and therapist friends and non-therapist friends who are looking out for me, and me for them. I've suffered with depression on and off since my teens, and since I started qualifying 4 years ago and have been in this environment, my mental health has been pretty good (touch wood!).

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10horsesizedducks@reddit

Therapist here, and you're spot on, for me anyway! It takes a lot of mental bandwidth and some weeks are definitely harder than others, but I wouldn't change it for the world. If I had the money, I'd be a therapist for a charity and do it for free!

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n0d3N1AL@reddit

Thanks 😊. I only thought this because of how happy my therapist is, I've known her for years and once I pay off my mortgage I'm planning on training to maybe do the same part time, already got a level 3 course lined up for September. I'm feeling burnt out from my career in software, I used to love it when I was doing my PhD and my previous job but now I'm in it for the money. I just want to help people.

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10horsesizedducks@reddit

Good luck with your course! I hope you have a fab experience with your group 😊 and yeah, I was feeling burnt out too and needed a change. I was furloughed during coving and it gave me the mental space I needed to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. It's not easy, but it's really rewarding if you find that it's the right thing for you!

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n0d3N1AL@reddit

Thank you! I'm glad you managed to use that opportunity to move towards something you enjoy 😃

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Upset-Elderberry3723@reddit

Therapy is one of those very polarising things where you are either very suited to performing it or absolutely not suited for it, because it's about your capacity to take on more stress in addition to being your skill at understanding others' psychological states and processes and how they can be rehabilitated.

I studied it to a decently-high level, but I could never do it. I was good enough at knowing what to do, but it was the turning myself into a sponge for others' worry and anger that was too much. I had already lived a very difficult life by that point, and I wasn't in a position where it would have been feasible or healthy.

I had someone ask me, while I was training, whether cognitive-behavioural therapy counted as brainwashing, and my answer was simply that, if it was effective, then it didn't really matter whether it was or wasn't, and that fears of brainwashing were perhaps justification for CBT rather than a reason to run from it.

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Vegetable_River_8553@reddit

I think if I had my own office/space in a wider office of lovely people (so I had some contact with others), and someone else did my admin, this would be me!

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

Yes - that's what I'd do if money were no object (very hard to find full time hours).

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HoneyGlazedBadger@reddit

Up until three years ago I would have said Hell no!” But that was when I worked in banking.

Now I rehabilitate stray and feral cats at an animal sanctuary, and it’s “Hell yes” from me.

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Original_Bad_3416@reddit

I like the cut of your gib

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throwaway_bluebell@reddit

That is my dream job when my mortgage is paid off and I've got a bit more savings!

How easy was it to find cat charities that pay? I always thought it was mostly volunteers

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banananey@reddit

I'd love to do something like this. Worked in a monkey rehabilitation centre in South Africa during my gap year and it was such an amazing experience.

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saccerzd@reddit

is that a paid job or volunteer work?

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CozJeez85@reddit

I think you are wonderful and I do hope you win if the money goes to helping the cats.

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

Oh my word, that does sound wonderful.

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VeryTrueThing@reddit

I've been in my job for donkey's years. 21 years with my employer as of yesterday! Current role nearly eight years. It's a good job and genuinely helps support and create other jobs for people. But if I was offered life changing money, I'd quit tomorrow.

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EviWool@reddit

Im in my mid 70s but while my boss is happy for me to keep on working (part time) I am happy to work. Ive told him that I will be happy to train my successor when he wants to replace me. Ill then be ready for a new phase in my life.

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NoseGraze@reddit

I'm a software developer and I love coding. I wouldn't work for a company, but I'd continue to make things and just release them for free.

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The_Death_Flower@reddit

Il doing a PhD and if I had the money to continue in research, I’d 100% do it, if we’re talking about f-u amounts of money, I’d also be less constrained by the bounds of getting funding for my research - when you apply for research grants you have to have a marketable project, so with current events relevance, an ability to use the research to do interventions outside your field/in the public eye. My research would look different if I wasn’t constrained by making my research fit the market

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katie-kaboom@reddit

Gods no. I am a born dilly-dallyer. If I didn't have to work I'd be baking cakes or making dried flower bouquets or running a twee little bookshop or something.

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mousey76397@reddit

A twee little bookshop that has an attached reading area with tiny coffee shop selling cakes sounds amazing. This is your future, now make it a reality.

If you build it he will come.

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katie-kaboom@reddit

I've already got the fantasy business plan. I just need to convince someone to give me 100k and I'll be off.

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mousey76397@reddit

That’s what banks are for right? As long as you can convince them that it’ll make money and you’ll be able to pay it back then they’re good for it.

Follow your dream! Then employ me please.

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sincorax@reddit

Why not all of the above?

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katie-kaboom@reddit

Exactly.

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Salt-Trade-5210@reddit

Teacher.

Love the actual teaching, hate all the paperwork that goes with it (90% of which has no impact on my students' learning or progress but ticks government boxes). When I retire I plan to do small group/individual tuition in RL and online.

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liebackandthinkofeng@reddit

I’m the same as you. If I won the lottery, I’d teach 2 days a week and set up a book shop or cattery (or both) and spend the other 3 days a week there. Absolutely love being a teacher, just hate all the extra bits that come with it!

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blazesboylan91@reddit

Union organiser. I believe there’s a better future for workers, and will never stop pushing for it.

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

I sincerely thank you for what you do. Also, that's a total dream job of mine.

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blazesboylan91@reddit

Trust me - if you have the belief structure and you know very basic organising practice, it doesn’t need to be a dream! DM me if you would like some advice.

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

Thank you, I will do.

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blu3teeth@reddit

I'm a software engineer. I would say it depends.

At my current job, I really really love it, and I would definitely continue to do it even if I didn't have to. That's largely because I'm the first hire after the founders, so I have a lot of direction on the company, and that's exciting to me. Even if I could afford not to work, I'd still want to have something to do with my time, and this is something I enjoy doing.

If everything goes well with this company, though, I'm kind of on track to get a life-changing amount of money in stock payout, assuming the company goes public, which is very likely. I have often thought about whether I would stay, and I think it kind of depends on what the direction of the company is after that. If it's still growing to the vision that we have now, I think I would stay, but if it doesn't go public and instead gets acquired and the company that acquires it is not nice, then I don't think I'd stay working. I think I'd just retire.

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SuperAssistant2809@reddit

I’ve got a level 8 chemistry qualification and a level 7 qualification in special needs education. I am both a chemistry teacher and special needs coordinator. I’d continue doing it if I didn’t have to. Definitely not full time though!

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Bright_Pen322@reddit

It depends on the age as to what % of lottery winners retire vs keep working, I think sub 35 years old a small majority keep working, at 45 years old it inverses.

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

Interesting, I'd expect it to be the other way round.

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Equivalent-Lab9075@reddit

I am currently completing a PhD for which my funding has run out so I guess I have confirmation that anthropology is something I will do for no money. If I won the lottery I’d be delighted to be able to pursue an academic career without worrying about financial instability. Most people in academia - anthropology at least - are independently wealthy.

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

I don't know anyone independently wealthy, the concept blows my mind. How do people get there, apart from marrying a rich person?

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_Jay-Garage-A-Roo_@reddit

I would and my husband would.

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No_Handle7987@reddit

I’m a tree surgeon a good day in a tree is like playing a sport you enjoy I’d probably do the odd day even if I won the lottery

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NewtSoupsReddit@reddit

Actor.

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tcpukl@reddit

Do you do theatre/films/TV?

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NewtSoupsReddit@reddit

All of the above, very sporadically. I take jobs where I can get them. The acting world is a gig economy unless you're very lucky. I know so many talented actors who could easily do what the big names do. It's a combination of luck and nepotism that gets you to the big money.

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tcpukl@reddit

That's great. I've got a couple of friends that enjoy doing extras gigs. Been in a couple of big films. We live near a city so various areas are often used for location.

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NewtSoupsReddit@reddit

People sometimes ask me what I mean by "made it as an actor". I say "being able to pay rent, bills and eat".

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Ok_Impact9745@reddit

Nobody gets into acting for the money. Yes you could be cast in a marvel/Star wars etc and be set for life but it's likely you'll just be doing local theatre or panto. Maybe a patient on holby city if you are lucky

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NewtSoupsReddit@reddit

And I do do it both paid and unpaid and will continue to do so for as long as I'm physically and mentally able and getting cast.

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NewtSoupsReddit@reddit

(I'm not famous and never will be but thats not why I do it)

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WolvesAtTheGate@reddit

I teach photography, design and publishing at an FE college. There are some bits I'd drop (paperwork mainly) but the fundamentals of just hanging out with young people, making cool and meaningful work and helping them figure out what they want to do with the rest of their lives I would absolutely keep on doing.

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bossanovasupernova@reddit

Psychotherapist. My ambition is not to retire but to simple reduce client levels to what I can manage. Even if this means I am 85 and see one person fortnightly, I can see no reason to give this up unless I no longer could.

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

You're in my dream job!

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bossanovasupernova@reddit

Retrain! Come do it.

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

Not enough full time hours, so I keep hearing.

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Ok_Bumblebee_2196@reddit

Like Irvin Yalom 🙂

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bossanovasupernova@reddit

In his case it feels like a terror of death rather than a loving of the role in recent years

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Conscious_Tap6076@reddit

Yh, I quite enjoy fixing helicopters. I’d drop doing it full time (so I can do other things with the extra time) but I’d happily continue doing it part time, even if I didn’t have to.

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justhereforthecrac@reddit

Dog walker 🐾 it keeps me going

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coupepixie@reddit

Yeah definitely part time; forensic scientist in biology.

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tommygunner91@reddit

I drive lorries and buses, I'd still do it in some capacity if I was a billionaire overnight. Could just do the odd day agency here and there. I really like my job.

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SpudFire@reddit

I knew a retired chap that occasionally did driving for coach trips abroad. Usually ones where they needed two drivers to swap duty.

He basically got paid to be the designated driver to go to nice places, only had to drive half the time and had his own costs such as accommodation and food covered.

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Particular-Current87@reddit

Binman, I'd definitely still do it. Easy job, keeps me fit, I don't work weekends and I'm always finished by 2pm.

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-hopalong-@reddit

How is the pay? I don’t know how much I’d want to be paid to sling bin bags but I think it’s quite a lot.

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Particular-Current87@reddit

For loaders about £25k, drivers around £30k

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Menyana@reddit

Sounds like a great gig. God bless bin men. It's highly necessary work!

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Soft-Western1897@reddit

I am independently wealthy and don’t really need to work. I do a shit job for minimum wage because it gives me something to do. It’s not a passion but I like it in some ways.

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madcow87_@reddit

Ish.

I love engineering and in particular mechanics, really enjoy tinkering with cars and motorbikes though in particular. It's not where I am, career-wise, but I am in engineering and I'd definitely keep doing something in that sense.

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BigEntertainer5667@reddit

Ehhh nooo

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No-Door-3181@reddit

Library assistant. I already did it as a volunteer, which is how I found out I liked it well enough to give it a go as a paid role.

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richbun@reddit

I work in IT and I really enjoy it.

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TheHootOwlofDeath@reddit

I'm a secondary school teacher and even if I didn't have to work, I would still like to teach a couple of days a week. I genuinely enjoy being in the classroom and working with teenagers, the vast majority of them are great.

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tcpukl@reddit

I'm a games programmer. I love my job and watching people play my games on YouTube and twitch.

Currently in my 3rd decade in the industry.

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Araishu@reddit

I work in advocacy for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery. I've always picked jobs wherever possible that I'd do because they instil me with a sense of meaning and purpose.

This job, and tutoring are two things I've found that I'd do voluntarily in a moneyless society

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lan0028456@reddit

Software engineer, I quite love my job that if things are not changed dramatically I would delay my retirement to work for a few more years. But we all know things are changing. Right now I'm happy learning all AI things but who knows what comes next.

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tcpukl@reddit

I'm a games programmer. I love my job and seeing people play my games and bring joy to their lives.

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Apsalar28@reddit

Also a software engineer. I wouldn't necessarily want to carry on working in my current job (way to much legacy spaghetti mess maintenance) but I'd definitely still carry on doing something in the field, probably find a worthy open source project to get involved with or similar.

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lan0028456@reddit

Yeah not all developing jobs are good but the field is always interesting

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VelvetDreamers@reddit

I’m a forensic entomologist/toxicologist. I extract insects from cadavers because I have an affinity for insect; I vow vengeance upon drink and drug drivers within the constraints of the law because my morality compels me to do so.

These are not occupations but my vocation in life. I will not stop until every drink driver has repented and develops an antipathy for alcoholic impulsivity so that renders me unable to ever retire.

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

You're doing sterling work!

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VelvetDreamers@reddit

Thank you! It’s my greatest wish that one day after I’m gone that someone will look at my body of work and say “Damn, she was the scourge of drink drivers”

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gogul1980@reddit

Nope. If I could, I’d retire tomorrow and do F- all other than read books, watch tv, go for nice breakfasts, meet feiends and maybe do small things around the house. F- the rest of it.

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crispycat40@reddit

I’m a specialist tutor working with children with complex SEND. It’s very rewarding (and hard work) and it keeps my brain busy.

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Purp1eMagpie@reddit

I can't think of many I wouldn't give up, given the chance to tbh.

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ArtAccomplished1651@reddit

currently work as an engineer in the nuclear sector, if you told me id get my wage and the pay rises (union job so it normally 3% a year) forever id quit now, i have so much i could do if i didnt need to work.

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CharlemagneKidding@reddit

3% increase a year negotiated by your union is a piss take

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ArtAccomplished1651@reddit

3% this year, 3.% next year and 3% year after with a chance of renegotiation depending on inflation. every job at my place from shop floor worker to manager is a set wage by your role, you cant go ask for a raise as if your a manager on £55k the one next to you is also on £55k, no argueing you do more work or whatever, dont like it step down theres many more who want that job.

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CharlemagneKidding@reddit

3% has been less than inflation for many years now, your union isn't doing well for you.

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OpeningDonkey8595@reddit

Depends on RPI v CPI, most companies won’t go near RPi unfortunately. It then depends on the backbone of your membership, I can threaten a strike, but if you know full well the members won’t do it, no point.

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Seabeak@reddit

Its be ause the bosses have too much power.

Nuclear power.

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Menyana@reddit

I'm a support worker for homeless people. Homelessness effects so many people from all walks of life. It's an interesting, varied sometimes stressful but ultimately rewarding part of my life.

I love my job, but there's more to it than love. It's dedication. Its the desire to make a change in world no matter how small, not just because of how it impacts my client but how it makes me feel to be part of something so much bigger than myself.

If I come into that sort of money. I think I would take a break but then go back work part time. I would learn what I can, and possibly do what I need to do to set up a niche home for older high risk homeless people who can't fit in with the requirements of existing over 55s accommodation.

Work for me is a healthy and necessary part of living. It gives me purpose.

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MoodyStocking@reddit

Yes! I work in the NHS in a clinical but non-patient facing role. It’s a very hard job sometimes but if I didn’t have to work I would do part time in the same job. I care very deeply for the job I do, I put in a lot of education for it, and it’s a huge part of who I am.

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Buddy-Matt@reddit

Software developer.

I'd continue doing it if I won the lottery. But I'd probably drop my hours.

I enjoy tech, and inhave an unreasonable love of providing quick POC code, and finding and squashing complex bugs. The more it feels I'm bending a computer to my will, the better.

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Glittering_Place_355@reddit

I am the manager of a book shop. Even if I won the lottery or inherited a shit ton of money I’d still want to work in a bookshop. I’d probably set up my own in a different country (somewhere warm and welcoming!) but the job would essentially be the same. I love be surrounded by books and talking about books all day.

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DoctorWhofan789eywim@reddit

If I had that sort of money I'd set up a bookshop and sell everything for a pound, even new releases.

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b3ta_blocker@reddit

People would come and buy all your new books for a pound and sell them for £5 and you would be depressed.

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DoctorWhofan789eywim@reddit

Why? What anybody does with something they buy I couldn't care less.

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b3ta_blocker@reddit

Well i suppose I assumed you would want to sell your new release books for less than you paid for them, for altruistic reasons. I think it would bring me down if I was running a service where I bought books and sold them for a loss to book sellers to sell for profit. You may as well be a loss making book wholesaler.

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RabbitRabbit77@reddit

This is my absolute dream. I have loved books and reading since I was a child. Bookshops are my happy place and I’ll browse in them even in a foreign country. I’m ‘stuck’ in a decently paid office job which is okay and I work with nice people, but my heart lies with books.

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SoOutThere@reddit

Me. I'm a driving examiner and enjoy it.

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hunsnet457@reddit

I probably would, maybe not at my specific employer but i’d definitely do the same role and maybe go down to about 20-25 hours.

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Terrible_Birthday107@reddit

I'm a writer. I'm lucky enough that it's my full time career, but even if it wasn't I'd do it. I've never wanted to do anything else. It's hard to explain the feeling, but contemplating life without it feels like a kind of spiritual death.

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donalmacc@reddit

I make video games. If I made life changing money overnight I’d keep my job and project and just be a bit more choosy about what I worked on, and about my schedule and hours. I’d love a 4 day week so k can do fun things on a Friday without the Saturday queues.

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SufficientBox3389@reddit

i would, i work as a boots beauty specialist. i get to help people find makeup and skincare, work with lovely women, get free stuff and make tiktok’s i only do it part time so if i leave in the future it would just be to make more money or have more hours

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fluxpeach@reddit

i’m a tattoo artist. if i won the lottery today, id still tattoo full time probably. it’s my whole life :)

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tomahawk66mtb@reddit

Yup. I'll keep doing it until I physically or cognitively cannot anymore. I'm adjunct faculty for a number of institutions - they engage me to work with their corporate clients on executive education programs. I mainly work on leadership development for first time managers. I genuinely get a lot out of helping people become better leaders and mentoring them on the way. I also consult and train startups on GTM strategy and sales processes.

I guess the only Caveat is that once I don't need the money, I'll adjust the exact projects I work on - a focus on the fun international travel gigs and those projects that I really feel invested in.

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Fancy-Professor-7113@reddit

Costumier, textile artist, maker of fancy bits for theatre, TV, drag, cosplay etc

I live in fear of arthritis in my hands or losing my sight so I can't see.

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hamstertoybox@reddit

I run my own business, I’m in year 3 and it’s just starting to work. It’s very rewarding seeing it grow. I don’t want to dox myself, but the work itself is lovely. I’d outsource the boring bits if I won the lottery though!

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Infamous_Army_ofcats@reddit

I am a private chef/ housekeeper and nanny adjacent; if I ever got rich I’d still want to see the family a lot. Even if it wasn’t work. But I would be sad to give up that job as I’m very emotionally invested and love what I do.

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BlackJackKetchum@reddit

Not me, but a mate is a chef and he adores his work. Savage hours and pressures - he’s in top end corporate catering - but you can’t keep him out of a kitchen.

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Crap___bag@reddit

I love my job- it’s hard work but I love that I make a difference in people’s lives. I’m a secondary school teacher and I work 3 days a week and am happy to do this until I’m too old!

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jesuseatsbees@reddit

Teaching. Absolutely yes, if I could just keep the teaching part. I’d use my money to pay someone else to do the piles of admin and other shit I don’t enjoy.

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DeaconBlueDignity@reddit

I work in the media team for the football team I support (Premier League). I absolutely love it and would do it for free if needs be

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Hour-Estate-2962@reddit

I'm a children's entertainer with some 1:1 work with children with additional needs. Up until I had a baby I'd have happily done the job for free if I could afford to but I'm now on maternity leave and would happily never go back. But I expect once baby is bigger I'll feel that way again about that job. I've done it for 14 years and always enjoyed it for the most part.

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GrabbedByTheGhost@reddit

I would only do this if I were doing some sort of community project or volunteering or something outside.

I'm 40 next year, I've worked full time since I left uni aged 21 and have worked part time since I was 16, no gaps.

I fucking hate working. I can't imagine having any job that I'd do if I didn't need to, unless it was something amazing like driving an F1 car.

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wafflespuppy@reddit

I'm a dog walker and if I could do it for free I would. I love my job and my dogs. If I won the lottery I'd still work I'd just buy land to make a dog heaven to walk in so I'd never have to deal with the public ever again 🤣

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tieflingteeth@reddit

Not my current role in a biomedical lab, but there are so many writing and advocacy based jobs I'm qualified for that I'd feel very fulfilled doing. One of them, helping people with benefits applications, is something I currently do for free as a volunteer because it's so satisfying and makes a real difference in people's lives.

Unfortunately, most medical writing, policy, advocacy and patent law jobs are either tied to moving to London/working full time in person, which I can't do because of disabilities and caring responsibilities, or are remote and therefore imminently being replaced by AI.

It's very frustrating to be so close to what I could easily spend the rest of my life doing, but be prevented from it by such arbitrary external circumstances.

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L-0-T-H-0-S@reddit

Author/illustrator (occasional screenwriter) - I do what I do whether I get paid for it or not, that's just the way the job works.

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Joyanonymous@reddit

Tourism. I love where I live and I love sharing it with people.

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Groundbreaking-End92@reddit

I'd love to continue to teach at university in my spare time if I won the lottery. Love teaching, HATE paperwork

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Derfel60@reddit

Its more about the person than the job. Some people tie their self-worth to jobs so much theyd never stop, some people dont have any hobbies, some people are afraid theyll wither away if they dont keep their brain or body active.

For most people though, theyd quit their job the instant they won the lottery. If jobs were fun they wouldnt pay people to do them.

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1968Bladerunner@reddit

I've been self-employed for over 33 years & semi-retired at 50, 7 years ago. I keep offering my services despite the fact I could now retire fully if I chose to, 'cos I enjoy what little I choose to do - it gives me a bit of extra purpose, & there's no-one else locally offering what I do (though plenty online).

I also didn't want to leave my long-term clients in the lurch, though a few shuttered their businesses during CoVid, or retired themselves, so I fully expect business to trail off over the years.

Thankfully I'm mortgage & debt free, live in a LCOL, & have inexpensive interests, so don't feel the need of a sizeable income to be content.

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BG3restart@reddit

I'd imagine sportsmen, musicians, artists, actors all fit this scenario. If you can turn your hobby that you do for pleasure into a job, you're on to a winner.

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faroffland@reddit

This is me! My husband earns enough that I don’t ‘need’ to work, am currently on maternity leave and didn’t have to go back if I would have preferred to be a SAHM. But even outside the benefits like my own income, pension etc, I genuinely love my job and am looking forward to going back. I work 25 hours a week which is a nice balance me.

I work in marketing and communications. So my job is essentially working with designers to create print materials for clients like leaflets, posters etc as well as doing a bit of my own design for social media. I update websites writing content/making sure they’re compliant with accessibility, and also have in the past managed websites like page structure etc. I occasionally do social media, writing for/editing a magazine, commission photography, and a lot of other stuff.

It’s a fun, creative job and I enjoy it very much!

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Competitive_Pen7192@reddit

I think a good portion, easily the majority wouldn't go to work if they were wealthy enough not to...

I broke my wrist at the end of February and I've been at home recovering ever since. Previously I worked 12 hours a day and on average of 50 hour weeks.

The extra time to myself is nice, you don't realise how much of a time sink work is until you're outside of it.

Still I'll be back at some point as the bills need to be paid. Shame as I'm well enough to tackle fairly big DIY projects now...

And if you think you've got nothing to do without work then that's a lack of imagination. There's always something out there.

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

Oh, I think I do realise what a time sink it is! Have all sorts of ideas for what I'd do if I didn't have to worry about paying the bills.

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DameKumquat@reddit

I reduced my hours as a civil servant doing policy work.

I could (just about) afford not to work. But funnily enough, being in work but knowing you could just quit if you wanted to, is a huge freedom. I can mostly concentrate on the fun bits, chewing over legislation and practicalities, and as little management as possible, and ignore much of the bullshit. I won't get a bonus for being a high achiever (£400 twice a year isn't worth it), but that's fine.

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shit_poster_69_420@reddit

Tour guide at the club I support

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Pyjama365@reddit

Absolutely not. But if I had unlimited money, I'd do extra training and do something similar part-time as a volunteer, for a charity like CAB.

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Nice_Back_9977@reddit

Same, I'm a nurse and I would probably spend some time volunteering in a health type field but I wouldn't have shifts I am obligated to turn up to every week!

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

I get the impression that a lot of people would volunteer, maybe in similar areas to their paid role, as they'd get a lot of the fun bits without having to answer endless data governance emails.

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Jumpy_Conference_576@reddit

i’m an autocad technician, wouldn’t call it “my absolute passion” but every time i daydream about financial freedom, all the free time gets a bit boring after 5mins, i like it enough to probably still do it part-time, and also get into 3D modelling

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Bastrato@reddit

Autocad has been a part of my job for a long time, only fairly basic stuff like stairs andother joinery items. I can't imagine enjoying doing it 8hrs a day.

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Lost-Actuary-2395@reddit

I used to be a Bartender, I work as a logistic planner now, making about 5x that.

I would Bartend on my spare time as long I'm not getting paid.

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Super-Craig@reddit

Definitely. I'm in Bioengineering - Agricultural sector - Primarily in automated ponics farming. I design and build ponic systems (mostly hydro and aeroponics), adapt GMO's to flourish and thrive in those systems, and create automated processes (mostly drones and robots) that oversee what would otherwise be a labour intensive task. Lift mechanisms used in vertical stacking also falls within my wheelhouse.

In the last decade, despite my best efforts to avoid it, I'd become heavily involved with the rapidly evolving Eugenics sector. Cloning mostly, some bio-cybernetics stuff.

In more recent years I've managed to create a significant amount of distance between myself and the Eugenics sector, and returned to the field of automation. Most of my work last year involved incorporating A.I. into previous systems. This year, I've beeen focusing more on recruitment, training and peer review work for promotions and project placement.

The average retirement age which had increased from 89 to 92 in 2022 has now risen again to 95 based on a late 2025 internal study of the companies bio sector. Even with most of us not retiring until we're literally on our deathbeds, there are just too few qualified personal to properly staff all facilities and projects.

As for job satisfaction? I give it a solid ∞/10. I have zero plans to retire, and fully intend to continue working, researching, and discovering, up until I draw my last terminal breathe.

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Dippypiece@reddit

No from me.

If I won crazy money I would be gone in a heart beat, I try not to think about it much as it gets me down bad, the whole construct and idea of work.

There are very few jobs I can actually think about if I was in those field that’s I would stay doing maybe none really. I just want to be free.

I have a wife and young family I adore and would love having so much more time with them. There so much of the world I want to see and so many things i want to learn to do. I would never have to work another second in my life if given the choice.

I’ve got to push this all down as I have people relying on me I have bills to pay, all that stuff we all deal with.

Maybe one day I’ll get lucky.

To those of you that love doing what you do I think you’re blessed.

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

Agree with the last line so much.

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CarefulHomework8110@reddit

Marketing for a charity. Love it

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MeowSaysEllieTheCat@reddit

I'm a paediatrician, I'd continue to work my job even if I had the money not to but I'd do fewer hours so I could have more time with my family. The NHS systems are a mess of course, the less said about the IT the better, pagers are still genuinely a thing but I really like the job at its core. Children are excellent at getting better and showing it. You do a thing and the child gets better before your eyes. There's the mix of art and science that's needed to problem solve and land on a solution. I really like it. It's of course devastating when a death happens but it's not common. It's rare enough that I remember the names of the kids from the unsuccessful resuscitations I've been at. And I prefer that to the adult side of medicine where death occurs several times a day and just becomes another form to fill in.

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290Richy@reddit

"I wouldn't be without it even if someone gave me a million pounds"

Are people really this sad?

I wouldn't say I particularly care about the sector I work in but I do care about my quality of work and climbing the ladder. I am passionate because it pays the bills and I'm paid to be passionate.

I couldn't give a stuffed crust about it otherwise.

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Scared-Room-9962@reddit

Some people enjoy their job and it brings more than monetary value to their life.

It's not "sad" at all

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290Richy@reddit

It's not "sad" at all

It is if they're turning down a million pound to stay.

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Scared-Room-9962@reddit

1 that's not what was being said. It was "would you continue working if you didn't have to"

2 money isn't everything. Some people value their work a lot more than money.

It's sad you think money is all that matters and your actions and how you spend your time are less important.

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290Richy@reddit

1 that's not what was being said. It was "would you continue working if you didn't have to"

I've literally quoted what he was asking and I gave my opinion.

2 money isn't everything. Some people value their work a lot more than money.

I think most would be gone if you gave them a million.

If you actually read everything properly you'd know I've answered what OP was asking, whether or not you agree.

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PM-me-your-cuppa-tea@reddit

Bit judgemental?

I personally would leave my job tomorrow for very little.

But if someone finds their work rewarding it's hardly sad, especially if what they do is meaningful.

Sadly society is built on the backs of people that do what they do because they care and find it rewarding. Teaching, nursing, caring, etc all jobs that are horrifically underpaid and rely on people doing it because they care, not for the money.

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

I'm sure a lot of these teachers, nurses and care workers would still quit if they could though.

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290Richy@reddit

Teaching, nursing, caring, etc all jobs that are horrifically underpaid and rely on people doing it because they care, not for the money.

Can tell you now I know about 6 nurses and 3 teachers, each have basic admin jobs now because the services are underfunded and not well paid for the levels of stress that it isn't worth it for them.

99% don't do it purely because they care they do it because they're riding it out to see if the services improve, along with the pay but eventually most will leave and join other sectors. The cycle will just repeat itself.

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Octoboy1@reddit

I had this chat last night with someone. He doesn't even have a particularly interesting job, hes labourer on a building site. He told me if he won lottery he'd still go to work because he'd get bored

Fuck me how boring is your life? If I won lottery I'd find shit to do. You could hire a fucking party clown on permanent retainer if you're really that bored!

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LamhDhearg@reddit

Plenty of clowns on building sites already

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St3ampunkSam@reddit

Some people do actually have jobs they enjoy.

And there a quite a few jobs that are people getting paid for doing hobbies they enjoy and would probably still do it they didn't need money.

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

I dunno, I'd feel the same I think if I could be paid to be an author.

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CharlieCatBloke@reddit

Gardener - yeah but I’d actually have a nice garden because I’d have time to spend in it.

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EarballsAgain@reddit

Veg grower here, would also keep doing it. Now if only it would ever pay enough so that I could afford a bit of land to grow things on.

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Ok-Listen-3300@reddit

I work in heritage/museums and I love it. It is connected to my degree, but I'd do this job regardless. I'm very lucky that it happens to be my hobby and main interest, I might not continue if I ever was given millions of pounds, but I'd certainly continue to volunteer.

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Possible-Ad-2682@reddit

Roadside assistance for one of the big players. Suffice to say I'm a very nice man.

I love the job. Everyday is different, and people are always pleased to see you.

I could definitely survive in a lower paid job, but most days it doesn't even feel like work. I get regular communications informing me that I'm not hitting this or that KPI, which is usually because I've gone above and beyond for a customer, but all the time I can carry on doing it, I will.

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baroquedub@reddit

I’ve been a VR developer for the past ten years and it is my absolute dream job. I love the world building aspect and being able to enter the environments I build. Even after all that time I still get a thrill every time I put on the headset and get transported to that other world. Together with advances in related areas like MR, AR, conversational agents, and AI, I’m constantly learning new things, working out interesting problems and just excited about the work I do. It helps that I work in Psychology VR Lab where we make apps to help people with mental health problems, ie not with the commercial pressures of a game studio. I’m constantly working on work and personal projects and would do the same if I won the lottery, except perhaps with the luxury of excusing myself from the administrative aspects and institutional politics (meetings, grant applications, etc)

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Fine-Night-243@reddit

I'm a lecturer, so there's bits of it I'd absolutely do for free (research, writing and delivering lectures, supervising individual students) and bits I would happily never do again (classroom teaching, marking papers)

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Fun-Brush5136@reddit

I work on live shows. Did all sorts of stuff for shit money for years, now I'm doing well off it. But I'd definitely still do it as a hobby

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WeakPush9627@reddit

Me - scientist

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cesena_@reddit

While on the surface working in data sounds hella dull, if I won the lottery I’d still do it for certain charities part time for free to keep my brain ticking.

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chunkycasper@reddit

I work for the family business PT but often end up doing FT hours. I like the work and we employ 28 people and want to keep growing the business.

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shak_0508@reddit

I work a full time 9 to 5 at a bank during the week and earn well, but I’ve got a part time admin role at the NHS that I’ve worked since university, and I’m still doing that on Sundays.

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Opposite_Radio9388@reddit

Which of the jobs is your passion? OP's looking for "the job I do now is one of my absolute passions and I wouldn't be without it even if someone gave me millions of pounds."

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shak_0508@reddit

Ah fair, didn't even see that part of the text box, just went off the title.

In that case the answer is neither lol. If I had enough money to never work again, I'd not even think about working, I'd just go travelling.

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bossanovasupernova@reddit

Some craftsmen are like this as well. Some people just live making a really quality end product and the process of it. I know some luthiers who don't retire but just only work for already established customers and now make maybe 3 instruments a year

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MaltedMilkBiscuits10@reddit

It really depends on the person.

I know I lot of older people who still work and don't need to work. They are terrified if they stop, they'll rot away.

I also know widowed men who can't cope with the loneliness so continue to work part time all be in voluntary roles or paid roles to have something to do.

My plumber has a 80 year old father who still tinkers too, given up his gas tickets but will happily hang a radiator as something to do.

My partner's neighbour, 76, 5 heart attacks, still works scrap as it's all he knows, he's made his fortunes and doesn't need to work but what else does he have he always says to anyone questioning why he's working.

I think it boils down to people wanting to fill their time and having something to do, still having a purpose to get up in the morning.

I for one can't ever see me father retiring fully, even if I threw him £100,000,000. He'd end up buying land to develop or buying houses to flip as that's always been good dream.

Just something inside of some people that make them always wanting to do something.

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OkConsideration5272@reddit (OP)

I guess it depends what that something is. Lots of people if they could would focus on their creative projects instead. Or volunteer in a field they're more passionate about. Or study, or retrain.

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WebGuyUK@reddit

I work as a website developer, I wouldn't work for someone else doing my work but I would do it as a consultant doing only the real interesting and well paid jobs.

My job is a hobby, it's how I got into the sector and even if I didn't need to work, I would probably still do it as a hobby / job to keep me busy alongside other hobbies.

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jabbo13@reddit

Heeelllllll to the no.

There's a big wide world out there with plenty to go to see and do I would not want to waste a minute of it working.

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