If you could have a year off work, paid, how would you spend the time?
Posted by MariellaHalfJack@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 236 comments
Hypothetically. No travel. No work. Same amount of money as normal. More time.
This-Draft797@reddit
Travel if money would go that far, do lots of diy, arts and crafts, spend time with my family!
cooky561@reddit
Travel a lot, so I guess I'm out of the scope of this question lol. I'd love more time to travel
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
Why do you think so many people jump to that answer? Nothing you could see yourself doing here. Just out of curiosity
Spirited_Opposite@reddit
I'd register with a group language course to do in person every day, teach english as a foreign langauge to adults and I'm so jealous of my students who basically do this
folklovermore_@reddit
I'd work on all my outstanding craft projects, and finally finish my novel.
mynameisjodie@reddit
ooh what craft do you do?
folklovermore_@reddit
I sew (mainly clothes) and also do embroidery/cross stitch.
mynameisjodie@reddit
Do you sell them anywhere
folklovermore_@reddit
No, I've made the odd thing for loved ones but it's almost entirely a hobby for myself at this stage.
mynameisjodie@reddit
That's so lovely
KrungThepMahaNK@reddit
I'd be in the gym everyday, cooking/baking and gaming.
MintBerryFondue@reddit
Go on an early morning walk/run or hit the gym like I used to do (when I wasn't working a 9-6 job).
Likely, visit my local pub for a pint midday.
Ok_Dragonfly1124@reddit
if its with my current wrist injury then it would be a case of getting my wrist sorted and recover from any possible surgery and clean up the garden and get rid of the weeds and sort out getting the driveway repaved and seal coated
Theunluckyone7@reddit
Get outdoors more and spend more time with my family.
Victorius_Meldrus@reddit
Eating myself to death, probably.
Willing_Coconut4364@reddit
I'm a great sailor. I'd put together an Olympic campaign. If I could sail everyday for the year I'm sure I can get some sponsors.
Big_barney@reddit
I do this, well 6 month breaks, every few years. I just use it as time to catch up on life, take it easy and do things I enjoy - go to groups with my kids, catch up on DIY, brunches with my wife, walks in the park, gym, hiking, gaming…. Nothing crazy just a general break from the 9-5.
It’s awesome.
Eaidsisreal@reddit
Spend a full year just getting into amazing shape, then you only have to maintain when you go back to work.
Civil_Classroom6399@reddit
Id argue within a few years the vast majority would be back to the same shape as before, most people's lifestyles , work etc caused them to end up there.
Think about it alot of "average" or over weight adults with family's career's etc was most likley teens /early 20s in decent shape and life just caught up. I suppose you could argue that you would be more experienced and conscious of it happening tho.
Deffinatly easier to maintain than achieve it.
Thorpedo870@reddit
Probably right.
Youd certainly 'peak'
I train 6/7 times a week but would be intrigued to see what i shape id get into if I could do more sessions and increase the volume for 12 months
Civil_Classroom6399@reddit
I was one, i was in good shape into my early to mid teens, marriage, a child and a carrer that took up any free time (whilst it was very active, I spent alot of time traveling be it driving, planes or ferries). Then say on boats for weeks at a time. At the time bringing it big money to a young family was the priority but my body paid the price. Covid come and the work dried got furloughed for 3 months , dropped about 15kg in that time, followed by 3 to 6 months of local projects nothing crazy no mad hours (virtually part time) i dropped another 10kg. After that we resumed as normal and within 18 months I was not only back at square one i was worse. Took me years to realise the health for my kids its worth a slight pay cut. 10 months on- 46kg down. Iv always traied but you cant out train a bad diet.
Altho i miss being properly strong for an "average" guy. But i can now run a 10k for fun, 5k daily and not be knacked playing with my kids
Thorpedo870@reddit
Love to hear that mate!!
I've looked at various jobs that doesn't seem to work due to travel etc.
I manage to train plenty, do a few school runs etc and make sure im around a weekends as for me being a dad is everything
19Carl89@reddit
Less is more my friend. You reach a point of diminishing return.
Thorpedo870@reddit
Yeah but the returns are still there.
Top top athletes are doing so much more.
19Carl89@reddit
Really depends. What training do you mean? Skill based Cardio based Strength based Etc
Thorpedo870@reddit
Something like
Hyrox Triathlon Crossfit Boxing Marathon running
More time means more time to focus on the aspects you need.
Lanky_Bus_1221@reddit
I had 9 months off in covid on full pay, built my snooker room and playing wow
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
What would you do if you had another full year
Lanky_Bus_1221@reddit
Not a lot, walk the dogs play wow play snooker and chill out also go on holiday a couple of times
spunkmonkey2000@reddit
Use that snooker room I’ve not touched in 6 years and play a bit of wow.
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
Hope you get to do more of both soon thanks for answering!
EngineeringNo6537@reddit
Paid.
Odd_Cryptographer941@reddit
Drive the coast of the UK Mainland, staying in my Rooftent!
nfurnoh@reddit
Timely juxtaposition.
DMMMOM@reddit
Whatever you think you might do, you won't. I retired some years ago and I just don't know how I found time to work or do anything. I've got every day free technically but soon enough the day is filled with things to do - which you tend to spot when you have time on your hands - and then my children seem to think as I'm at a 'loose end' I can sort out there houses and other things. I don't really get a huge amount of time to myself, not helped by the fact I volunteer a lot to local people and extended families doing basic trades and the like.
HawaiianSnow_@reddit
I got made redundant at the end of last year with essentially a full years salary. What I planned to do, versus what I ended up doing were two vastly different things!
Started with all the ideas in the world - out walking and exploring every day, getting fit, learning a new language, cooking every day, doing up the house etc.
Turns out I'm far less motivated than I thought! Managed to get fitter than I've been in a while but it turns out what I most enjoy is just taking life slowly and playing xbox.
Taken a new role now after about 4 months and baaged some of the extra money left over!
HostPick@reddit
Build websites
Illustrious_Brain788@reddit
Do a course, day trips
Man-down90@reddit
Work on my art and see if I could develop it in to becoming a full time career.
Exercise a lot more and not just the odd occasion when I'm not exhausted.
Cook different meals.
Spend more time in my garden growing food.
zenz3ro@reddit
I just had a sudden three weeks off, unexpected. Thought I'd do so much. Spent most of it just napping... Didn't really make the most of it 😭
Sammiebear_143@reddit
If lockdown 2020 and 3 months off work paid, is anything to go by, how I would LIKE to spend my time off and how I actually WOULD are two different things. I'd like to spend it sorting my house out, renovating it, getting the garden sorted and perhaps taking breaks away. I would probably spend it mainly sleeping and on my phone too much!
takhana@reddit
Is my wage the same on the year off as it is when I’m working and my overheads are the same?
Cos realistically you can have all the grand ideas in the world but if you’re not earning more and you’re not “occupied” by work 40 hours a week you’re going to be spending a lot of money you probably don’t have.
I’d love to spend a year getting my drawing and art better so I could finally set up the business I want but it’d be tricky alongside not spending all my pay cheque in one day.
SpectreSingh89@reddit
Spend time with kids n wife. Now I have been made redundant. Last day was Friday however, redundancy was announced beginning of January. I been there 3.5 years and my redundancy pay? Yes roughly 3 grand no tax. However! I have, in total, just over 9 grand after taxes!
It was a corporation, i stayed on last 3 months, hols pay for the year, PILON, and, most importantly, a "Bonus."
zeldafan144@reddit
Get in the best shape of my life.
Help my friends out with anything they needed really.
Take a few more holidays (being a teacher means holidays are prohibitively expensive).
Play Warhammer.
blarfblarf@reddit
That sounds like it might take a lot of work.
Belle_TainSummer@reddit
I did it once when I was rehabbing after a car accident. Best shape of my life by the end of it, but once I went back to work I no longer had the free time or energy to exercise like that no more. Good health is a privilege for the rich.
hassan_26@reddit
Not if he's been a fat slob all his life and his best shape would be skipping a donut for the day and standing up.
chi-93@reddit
No travel, so holidays are out. Sorry, I didn’t set the rules.
EntirelyRandom1590@reddit
On your second point... So you'd start a free daycare? 😅
Belle_TainSummer@reddit
The first three months I would spend on the sofa, just recuperating. The next month I would spend researching all the stuff I'd like to do, and how long it would take to do it. There is way more on that list than a mere year, a lifetime's worth, so I would have to take time to prioritise pretty strictly. The remaining time would be travelling to places to visit, and taking courses for the stuff I want to learn.
ForArsesSake@reddit
I’d take better care of myself and work on my house/garden
antlered-god@reddit
Mostly in my garden
handtoglandwombat@reddit
ADHD so I’d spend it trying to decide what to do
Automatic-Use-6714@reddit
This will be me next year. Retire on a healthy pension at 51. Have a small holding in Devon and plan to turn it into a self sustaining plot. Fruit, veg, solar power. The full monty.
gameofdecimals@reddit
I would train Karate non-stop just because I am a Karate fan
oncejumpedoutatrain@reddit
I took two years off, and lived in West Africa, I chassed women till I learned that's not a life goal, a few trips in-country, watched loads of tv, went in search of gold on a 4 day trip once, only to find out it was a setup. I learned that time off like that is a waste of time. The body and mind isn't meant to be that idle.
AccomplishedRice7427@reddit
I have just had 3 months of this (after being made redundant but being given my wages in lieu of notice). I have met up with friends and family for coffee/lunch, spent Easter school holidays doing trips out with my elder child, spent time completing my dissertation (part time MSc), and last week spent the week in hospital with my younger child.
I am quite looking forward to going back to work for the break 😆.
aokay24@reddit
Travelling the world
Roofless_@reddit
I had 26 weks off during Covid. I managed to get my fitness back in check, paint the house, do all of the odd jobs around the house.
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
What would you do hypothetically if you had another year now?
Roofless_@reddit
I'd be very bored. I'd need to travel or something.
That-Caterpillar-301@reddit
Renovate my house Focus on my health and fitness Read more Work on my garden Spend time with friends and family, helping out people with their kids 💕💕
Pen_dragons_pizza@reddit
Just live life exactly how I want.
Wake up when I want, do what I want etc
Basically live the life of a teenager on summer holiday again but extended to a year.
Wickermanman@reddit
I would just spend all year sitting on the carpet, watching the poker channel, wanking and eating those expensive German biscuits.
affogatohoe@reddit
Choco libenz?
94JackDL@reddit
God they're good
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
I’m off to rewatch
CoolExtreme7@reddit
Think I’m due my 10th rewatch too
Mundo7@reddit
Those are rookie numbers, you’ve gotta pump those numbers up
Swimming-Recipe3021@reddit
"soggy biscuits"
Max1357913@reddit
Peep show AND Steven Wilson? Truly a person of culture
Dazpiece@reddit
Big beats are the best, get high all the time
Jetboy01@reddit
a man of culture
Hesta85@reddit
Make the toast, eat the toast, shit the toast. God, life’s relentless.
Taz009911@reddit
Lol Jez knows what's best
Economy_Fan_8520@reddit
Goon
cwci@reddit
I’d road trip to Malta with a decent stop on the Amalfi coast, but via the entire coast line of France, Spain & Portugal- then back through Germany. Probably.
HanAVFC@reddit
I mean I'm on MAT leave with a 9 month old and currently pregnant, I've been off a year by the end of June.
Obviously I've had a baby too look after and being pregnant again has slowed me down, but I've found I'm walking a lot more, saving a ton on fuel thank god and I'vebecome more ingrained within my community, partly because I opened my own baby club something I'll continue when I do eventually go back to work.
From December until April though I would say I was really down, not going to work makes it easy to stay in the house especially when it's raining and cold so my world started feeling a bit small.
In terms of other positives I'm managing to stay on top of housework easier (I'm AuDHD) I am cooking much more and more variety, we are saving money on shopping because I've got time to shop around and get the best deals and I've got time and engery to experiment with different recipes rather than being burnt out from work and doing something quick and easy.
EntrepreneurNice4994@reddit
Id work another job so I'd actually have money to enjoy rather than just breaking even month to month
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
That’s sadly many peoples answer
EntrepreneurNice4994@reddit
It's an exhausting reality but it's the one we have
Lonely-Job484@reddit
No travel as in I can't? Because that would be my first thought, lots of travel
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
I always look at flights and think about travel too but I wondered what if that was off the cards
oli_ramsay@reddit
Does travel around the UK count or do I have to stay in my bedroom lol
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
UK travel is ok where would you go?
oli_ramsay@reddit
Scottish Highlands, all the national parks, lots of hiking. Probably buy a tent and do some camping trips. Lots of day trips to places like London, bath, Cambridge, York.
EngineeringCockney@reddit
I would prefer to work and travel than get paid to be detained within the UK lol
Puzzled-P@reddit
I read it as no forced travel, no commutes, travelling to meetings, travelling to job sites etc.
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
That too. No work at all.
PaulPlatypus@reddit
Do something that shapes you. Take yourself to the edge of a difficult and positive experience.
gander8622@reddit
I had three weeks off and a job list as long as my arm. If I had a year off, I'd have an even bigger job list. Assuming of course this hypothetical year off is me only and not the whole family.
I've had up to a month off at time before and I always end up getting bored and fidgety.
Zealousideal-Habit82@reddit
I'm doing this as from Tuesday! Get made redundant and Monday will be last day in the office. I'm 52 and no need to get another job if I don't want to. Ive got three Holidays booked already including one in two weeks then next year I fancy a mooch around Vietnam and may decide to stay out there for a long time. Besides that as others have said fitness. I'm going to be a gym bunny and a beach bum for the summer. Can't wait.
Striking-Speaker2609@reddit
Very lucky not to need another job, have the most amazing time and value every moment. Sometimes redundancy can be a blessing
Zealousideal-Habit82@reddit
I agree, after the shock I started to look for the positives. I fear I have jinxed the summer for everyone though now, it will rain every day......
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
When I first read this I thought oh no but as I read on I was like yeah!! Go do it! I love this answer. Enjoy your holidays and you should go to Vietnam. My cousin went there and fell in love with the place never came back.
Zealousideal-Habit82@reddit
Thank you very much, this is great to read. I've had 90 days to get used to it and make plans. It was a shock, although not entirely unexpected and within in an hour of finding out I was pretty calm. The biggest challenge so far is changing my mindset from because I've always worked and I'm lucky to enjoy it so go get another job to realising I might not need to ever again, hence going on holiday almost immediately after I finish to regroup mentally, run some sums and relax, but I think I can do this.
JustQuestioningCosas@reddit
Can I ask why you never need to get a job again? I’m assuming you’ve worked towards financial independence? I’m so jealous! Well done you.
Zealousideal-Habit82@reddit
Yes very small mortgage left which I'll settle in full next month, got a £500pm side hustle, been financially preparing for this for the last 6 years so have some savings. I have very low outgoings and after 21 years with the company a severance package not to be sniffed at. I will crunch the numbers for sure whilst on holiday but I'm confident it's in the bag if I choose to do it. Just need to bridge the next five years till I can access my SIPP. I'm still pinching myself that I'm even considering this. My laptop goes back on Monday or Tuesday and at that point I'm done. Never had a car on finance, SIM only phone plan, no Netflix but I do eat a lot of avocados sadly not on toast though as don't eat bread lol. Very fortunate that at 19 with my first shop job I started a pension, best thing I ever did.
GoanGeek@reddit
Go back to work and save invest the money. And get paid holiday.
zeroschiuma@reddit
In order: Get fit, Get a professional certification, Make something (ideally art!), Explore your city, Read and watch all the stuff I haven’t had time to look up while employed
Si-vicky@reddit
A cruise around the world
BlacksmithMiddle803@reddit
I would play golf every single day. Poorly.
CrustyHumdinger@reddit
Cycling
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
Where would you go for it? Or just full days cycling where you are already
CrustyHumdinger@reddit
Oooohhhhh...so many places. Lands End to John O'Groats, the Lakes, Majorca, the Alps...
UnderstandingFar6589@reddit
Learn to become a jeweller, get certified to be an electrician, play a LOT of guitar and maybe have several lessons per week. Road cycle training and century rides. Learn to draw and paint. Train my dogs. Build a home gym, studio and sauna.
Most of these are relatively cheap (with the exception of house mods) but time consuming.
rupertbarnes@reddit
Eat cheese.
TURBINEFABRIK74@reddit
Travel around the world on the road ( bike or car I dunno)
Past-Replacement-448@reddit
Fishing. Out in a boat all day. No phone nothing.
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
My dad did this when he retired and was very happy
Past-Replacement-448@reddit
I’m not even close to retirement age and I’d still do this in a heartbeat 😂
Bellatrixforqueen@reddit
Pottering in my garden. Reading. Walking dog.
Original-Material301@reddit
Travel and taking more photos that'll never be posted to socials
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
Travel is the caveat to the question. Just to be annoying what would you do of that was off the table?
Original-Material301@reddit
Oh yeah lol.
Gym - work on my body.
And retrain or start a course.
GeorgeJAWoods@reddit
Build a garden room, loads of gardening
OwnStruggle9260@reddit
After an extremely long nap I'd get my never ending to do list started!
WealthMain2987@reddit
Work out to get healthier, join a course at the local college for some sort of DIY course and then do some DIY at home. Play some PlayStation in the down time
SeaExcitement4288@reddit
Travel
CautiousCat24@reddit
Tend the garden and get through my unread shelf
Darkheart001@reddit
Spend the time with my family friends: my Dad has cancer, my kids have grown up and left home, I’ve got to the age where some of my friends have started dying suddenly. You start to realise time with the people we care about is the most valuable thing there is.
Skruffbagg@reddit
Finishing my 3rd album and spending more time with my kids.
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
Wow third!? That’s amazing well done
BorderlineWire@reddit
I’d probably do what I did during Covid. I got really into plants and I miss having time to nurture an indoor jungle and outdoor veg.
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
Me too I miss my jungle they all died when the world opened again
nuggiesfordays@reddit
Ironman
Mugweiser@reddit
‘What would you do if you had money but couldn’t do anything with it’.
Nothing then mate 👍
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
You’d do nothing for a year here in the UK?
Mugweiser@reddit
Depends on your definition of ‘something’ and ‘nothing’
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
It was you who said nothing
chi-93@reddit
How strictly are we interpreting “no travel”. No travel abroad?? No week away in Cornwall or the Scottish Highlands?? Or can I not even travel between my bed, sofa, and kitchen?? If the later, the year is gonna be pretty damn miserable.
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
No travel abroad
Psycho_Splodge@reddit
I mean I slept through furlough mostly. But it's not like it was open...
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
What would you do if you had that time now?
Psycho_Splodge@reddit
I'd live to say something constructive but I'd probably still mostly sleep
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
I respect that. Sleeps amazing I should go get some now I think of it
crispycat40@reddit
I mean, I still have to get my children to school and collect them again so I have 5 1/2 hours to myself.
I’d walk the dogs more
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
5 and a half hours to yourself though plus time with your kids. It’s no work not no kids!
wildflower12345678@reddit
Going on lots of walks, I have several books of walks I am working my way through. I'd do one every other day instead of the one a week I am currently doing.
Britkraut@reddit
Pretty much hike across the UK non-stop
Always wanted to do the John O' Groats - Lands End route and that would be the perfect excuse
MssHellfire@reddit
Travel with the kids and renovate the home and garden :)
No_Pea-1@reddit
Gardening
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
Do you like vegetables or plants and flowers?
No_Pea-1@reddit
All the above
MelodicAd2213@reddit
Apart from peas
Slackdarren@reddit
Wasting it all, Because you can do it tomorrow
MelodicAd2213@reddit
Kind of know that would be my reality
FixStunning654@reddit
Get in shape, reading, computer games, boxsets. Day trips & I would have to up skill / study something.
TraditionalScheme337@reddit
I would like to think i would finally get into shape properly. I have a stressful job and with a 2 year old, its hard to work out much but now I am 42 it's something that I need to keep on top of.
iamtherarariot@reddit
I’d focus on performing my music and poetry. It’s hobby level, open mics with a couple of small gigs maybe, not something I could do as a career feasibly. But I’d love to spend more time working on it, I just don’t have the time because of work and being tired when I’m not at work.
EmuComprehensive8200@reddit
Sport 100%. I damaged my knee at work a few years ago, and barely have time to train these days. I'm fairly young so, it's really important I take care of myself now that it isn't worse as I age, but I am so stressed for time.
..maybe I'd visit my parents abroad more too❤️
PhillyDeeez@reddit
Walk LEJOG then JOGLE.
Accomplished-Art7737@reddit
I would just happily potter around, injecting as much gentle whimsy into my days as possible.
Pukit@reddit
So I kinda did this when living abroad. I worked for 18months then didn’t work for nearly a year.
I initially got fit and had a good routine. I’d run 10k before breakfast, hit the gym after, swim for an hour then sauna to settle down. I did it five days a week. I’d get this done by 11am.
Then I’d go and volunteer on a 1870s tall ship in Sydney harbour, learn the ropes, climb the masts, I trained as a shipwright and a rigger. Had the time of my life. Then came back to the UK and let most of it go.
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
Wow that sounds like the experience of a lifetime truly, would you ever go back do you think? To live there or to work. I’m picturing it and it sounds fantastic
Pukit@reddit
If I went back it would be a different experience as would have to work full time and I now have a child.
I was in a unique spot, my wife and I went over for two years, I couldn’t work for the first few months, then did for the next 18, we were meant to leave at 24months so I left work early to enjoy myself for a bit and get fit. But my wife got extended and had expenses covered, and then extended again. We knew we’d be off, just unsure when.
So I just didn’t get a job as didn’t know when we’d be leaving.
A position came up for full time employment on the ship I worked on, but I didn’t go for it as knew I’d be off.
I did my time out there, enjoyed it, don’t regret coming back to uk. There’s good and bad points about everywhere in the world. I could go back, but I don’t know. We’ll see. I just never say no to an opportunity.
Feersum_endjjinn@reddit
Pub
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
Every day?
Feersum_endjjinn@reddit
Morning noon and night 😂😂😂
binaryhextechdude@reddit
Start by deep cleaning my apartment, then work on my diet and getting back into a regular routine at the gym, cycle more, work on reducing my "to read" pile.
Educational-Farmer28@reddit
Growing more vegetables and spending more time with animals. The more donkeys, chickens and dogs you can throw at me the better.
TobblyWobbly@reddit
I'd go to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig for the full Gaelic experience. It would be absolutely brilliant.
jack_watson97@reddit
Golf
Thoughtful_giant13@reddit
Since you’ve said no travel - I would do lots of work on my home, lots of work on my health and fitness, see friends as much as possible and invest time in hobbies and new skills. This is pretty much my dream - I’m in my late 40s and not ready to quit work entirely, but a year, or even six months off to recalibrate and sort some stuff out would be AMAZING! Still, it will have to remain a dream!
urgentassistance@reddit
Many months in certain countries. 1 year wouldn't be enough
AnonymousTimewaster@reddit
Doing literally anything else. I probably would travel though even though that's not allowed in this question. Presumably you said that for money reasons? I would just do "extreme day trips" (where you book a flight to leave and come back on the same day) instead of long term travelling. You can do it remarkably cheaply.
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
No I just wondered what people would do if not travel I would travel too
AnonymousTimewaster@reddit
I'd probably spend the whole time gaming to be perfectly honest. Maybe I'd try streaming or something but I don't really have much about me, so doubt I could really make that work.
According_Shoulder14@reddit
6 months surfing, 6 months snowboarding
IndividualCurious322@reddit
Same as I do in my spare time. Write for my books and graphic novels, study and draw and read and translate a ton.
Hamsternoir@reddit
My hobby became my job and I actually enjoy it so carry on but without the pressure of deadlines
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
I love that do share if you can/want to what the hobby is I’m curious but if it’s niche don’t worry!
Bufger@reddit
I wfh so my HR department pretty much thinks this is what we all do anyway.
Obvious_Phase5446@reddit
with my girlfriend in poland :)
jonathing@reddit
Try to get more than 6 hour sleep a night
Due_Sand_489@reddit
Spend time with my family, go on holidays with them, read books a get a master
Euphoric_Rough_5245@reddit
I’d still work 2 days as I work with little people and love watching the new things they do, say and their characters emerge but then I like walking and mooching so I would explore different towns and walks especially the coast path that goes around the country as we always walk part of it when we holiday on the coast.
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
Aww I love this answer thank you
Acrobatic_Block4226@reddit
See friends more, do more exercise that I struggle to fit in with being disabled and having to work. Spend more time with my pets. Spend more time making food I don't have the energy for. Complete house projects
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
What pets do you have?
Acrobatic_Block4226@reddit
Meows
Beny1995@reddit
Write some novels, read a lot, cook excellent food for friends and my wife.
The rest could be just improvised i think.
benjimawoo@reddit
Play lots of banjo. Try my hand at busking. Learn FPGA programming. Probably learn a language. Do an A-level, may be in something completely unrelated to anything I’ve encountered before. Maybe learn plastering or roofing or some sort of building skill. Just learn stuff, basically.
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
Love this answer. Banjo is cool you don’t see many banjo buskers.
benjimawoo@reddit
And also, thank you
benjimawoo@reddit
My banjo teacher did it a bit when he was younger - said he absolutely cleaned up because it’s unusual. And also, yes. I agree. Banjo is very very cool 😁
mynameisjodie@reddit
I would write books and publish them on Amazon
DiskBytes@reddit
That's exactly what I'll be doing soon, redundancy coming up, huge pay out and no motivation in life. I'm going to just spend time with the kids and just see what happens, for about a year.
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
Sounds like it could be a beautiful new beginning for you though. Time with family’s never wasted
niki723@reddit
Do some minor renovations on my flat, visit some lesser known museums in my city, get a personal trainer and get really strong, take a jewellery making or pottery course, foster a big old German shepherd (who I'd probably keep), maybe some horse riding lessons?
Vladamir_pootinn@reddit
Wank
Nice_Back_9977@reddit
Why no travel? That's what I'd want to do most...
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
I’m interested to know what people would do if no travel because I also would travel
Nice_Back_9977@reddit
It would feel like a waste of a year off if I couldn't travel.
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
That’s fair but how would you make it not wasted time if you couldn’t travel? that’s the question
niki723@reddit
How do you define travel though? Could you visit friends that live a few hours drive away? Go to the closest beach if your town is landlocked?
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
I maybe should have specified I just meant what would you do here in the UK but yes you could go anywhere
Nice_Back_9977@reddit
There's no way to make it not wasted time, but I suppose I'd make the best of it by going to all the museums and sights in this country that I never get around to and spending more time on fun hobbies.
Although I'd probably be nocturnal within about 8 weeks which might throw a spanner in the works.
h00dman@reddit
I'd spend most of it in the garden.
I've discovered a passion for it this year and I'm really enjoying going out there every dry weekend (which I won't say any more on so as not to jinx anything!) to hack away at the overgrown barbs and bindweed, and keeping the lawn looking neat and tidy.
The one thing I wish I had was more time to do it, so this scenario would be a win.
Astronaut_Level@reddit
Travel!!!
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
No travel is the caveat to my question I’m afraid! What else if you couldn’t travel
Astronaut_Level@reddit
Sorry about my poor reading comprehension!
Okay, no travel but maybe some very local trips? Hiking/outdoor swimming etc.? Visiting a different town nearby every week?
Skanedog@reddit
Sleeping
1968Bladerunner@reddit
Been semi-retired for 7 years now, & what little work I do is not difficult or stressful, so I kinda have been living this.
I spend much of my time reading, walking, spending it with friends & family - chatting / helping them out when I can, & simply enjoying the freedom.
Not having to set weekday alarms, being able to sleep / wake naturally, & returning to bed with a morning cuppa to read a while before starting the day is... pure bliss!
DrH1983@reddit
Get back into actually something creative. Catch up on reading and watching stuff. Go for long walks .
I am 100 percent sure I could fill my time and I would hate going back to work after the year is over
BurkesRoad@reddit
Sleeping
Fit-Vanilla-3405@reddit
I’d do a fun Masters Degree in some maker type shit and do exercise and be able to drop off and pick up my kid everyday from school. I’d catch up with every friend on earth. I’d go to the doctors everyday for my 7 minutes until all my ailments were taken care of.
Simbooptendo@reddit
Wanking
Other_Bookkeeper_279@reddit
Work and double the money
Secure-Vanilla4528@reddit
Wales bike park, Sheffield, Leeds, half terms with the kiddo.
GUBEvision@reddit
do a lot of walking and write a novel. learn to cook a bit better. volunteer.
MoosesHuman@reddit
If it's just one year off and then I have to go back, I'm going to do my best to re-train for a different job. Realistically, I'm probably going to play video games and read books and get the kids early from school to play.
MariellaHalfJack@reddit (OP)
That’s fair and lovely actually, more time with your kids
Dailymailflagshagger@reddit
Shagging lol
AceofspadE19@reddit
Relax and enjoy life
WalterZenga@reddit
Play as much golf as possible and still be no better when the year's up.
Effective_Topic_4728@reddit
Upskilling as much as possible to keep my brain active and to hit the ground running when I return, or improve another area of my life.
Canipaywithclaps@reddit
Travelling Gym, running and hiking Spending time with loved ones
RemarkableKiwi3876@reddit
Going out. Going on holiday. Meeting up with friends. Currently in a state of depression since being in my job.
PrettyLilObsession@reddit
binge-watch shows and relax
CiderChugger@reddit
Probably the same as every woman that has gone on maternity leave. Upskill and get a new better paying job
RhubarbImmediate7007@reddit
I’d like to do a degree in something interesting. No work focus, no career planning, just for the pleasure of learning.
heyitsed2@reddit
I don't get paid enough to keep myself busy without a job, so, I'd probably get another job...
Amazing-Visual-2919@reddit
Probably start off with good intentions but spend the year napping and lazing in the garden.
Kiteslut@reddit
Kitesurfing. Every day is a kite day!
FreshMontrealer12@reddit
Finish renovations and my garden. I bought a house but spend 40 hours a week working so don’t have time to finish it yet. Would love a paid year off
EducationalTourist55@reddit
Play golf every day
Limitedtugboat@reddit
Drop a load of weight, and spend even more time with the hound.
Complete a lot more games
Sharp-Ad-3253@reddit
Completely renovate my house, and spend as much time as possible with my wife and sons
BabaYagasDopple@reddit
Build up an insane level of fitness.
Serious-Top9613@reddit
Dogs. I have 4. They take up the rest of my time when I’m not at work 🙃
poke_pants@reddit
With a kid at school realistically it isn't going to change a great deal, I'd get roughly 6 hours a day to do something, which would probably be housework and shopping to free weekends up a bit more. Maybe swimming and gym too, but given I'm not getting any more money than usual, just time, that may not be possible (I WFH most of the time so won't be saving any extra cash due to lack of travel etc).
Even just flat out winning a million quid isn't going to change much for a good few years, in some ways that's quite a nice feeling.
Sailor747@reddit
I have a house to renovate. I’d have the time to do a bathroom, a kitchen, to make a house a home
Acidphire21@reddit
get in shape, but also read lots of books
tarpdetarp@reddit
Travel for the 6 months of winter here.
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