Would It Bother You If You Never Worked Again?

If you could find the means to support yourself, and possibly accept an extremely frugal lifestyle (if you don't already practice one) without holding down a job, could you?

Without trying to sound too alarmist, based on a lot of my personal reading and research into the state of affairs in our world today, I am becoming increasingly convinced modern civilization is in a definite, but slow state of collapse. As depressing as it sounds, I think there is a portion of society that may never recover from the bad economy for a variety of reasons.

Outsourcing, automation (every time I go to the grocery store, there are more do-it-yourself check out aisles, its kind of creepy. The dwindling humans still manning their aisles must be wondering how long they're going to be working there ), inept and apathetic leadership reminiscent of the Roman emperors during the last days of the empire, unchecked corporate greed, etc.

In my seemingly unending period of employment, I've learned to be a lot less materialistic and more money conscious. I've had to learn how to stretch a dollar, learn to make peace with what I cannot have, but society nonetheless tries to make you want it. Looking at the decadence of our society from an outside perspective, definitely made me think. Its amazing how it can change a person, to have to go so long without a job.

I look at workers with one part envy, and one part pity. I wonder how they got to work when I didn't, even though I tried to do all the right things. At the same time, I feel kind of bad for them, because one of the few advantages to unemployment, is not having to endure the monotony and pressures of a day job. Maybe if you were on a career track its different, but when all you've ever had is dead end minimum wage positions, I'm actually kind of glad to not be doing them.

I hope I get back into the work force someday, but if I don't maybe it will be a blessing in disguise. I still have resources and money, I am fortunate enough that I doubt I will ever be homeless. I can live a minimalist, frugal lifestyle and spend my mornings watching everyone still trapped in the Matrix going to their crap jobs

I won't survive until I'm eligible for Social Security. Unless you are a hermit, humans do need some social interaction. It is very hard to do this with no money. I crave my independence, I can't stand depending on other people for life's simple pleasures. I am blessed with good family and friends, I doubt I will ever be homeless, but unless I can find something to allow me to be self-sufficient again, I'll never regain my self esteem and confidence.

I also doubt I'll survive to Medicare eligibility unless I have health insurance. I recently tried to get insured, I lost my coverage over 4 years ago. I was turned down by everyone because of a very common and controllable pre-existing condition, hypertension.

I believe you lose more than money when you lose your job, especially for the older, experienced workers in this country.

I found it really stressful after my UI benefits were cut short thanks to this latest horrible bill during a Recession/Depression. I also had family and friends who helped me though mostly I was able to very slightly piece things together with babysitting, housesitting, pet care and more... I don't mind those kinds of jobs at all (in fact I even enjoyed them), but what I found stressful was the irregularity with them. You can't count on them and when you have to pay bills that is very hard...

Just posted something very similar to what you are saying myself Marian, these jobs are "extras" or "luxuries" for some people and if their money is tight it's bye bye houscleaner. Tough to plan or even estimate what you can or can not do.

Mentally and physically, yes it would bother me to not get back to work. I need more stimulation than houscleaning, I need conversation and people interaction and I need to be up, in a routine and moving. I find if the work has dried up for 2-3 wks, I can keep busy for 2 of the weeks, but week 3 I just lose my drive and I start getting down. I am not yet willing to cry uncle and say I will never find a job, but I am not as starry eyed about prospects as I was even up until last year. I have been a 99er since June 2010 and it has been a struggle, an awful one, as most know. Mentally, I understand it, but the feeling of hopelessness some nights keeps me from sleeping, I can't lie about that.

To be honest, if I didn't have to worry about money, I'd gladly not work or do a different kind of work that I really love. For instance, I love to write and while unemployed wrote and published my first book. I also delved into my art, went for long walks and did photography, went swimming and spent time meditating. I think that life would be healthier if it did not revolve around the mighty dollar...

Marian....I too at down times like long walks, photography, & swimming but be careful....The GOP thinks that is all we ever did & never looked for work. That was the biggest prob. I faced with friends & family, if I ever mentioned any of the above they would say why are you not looking for work. OMG!!! well I guess I don't have to worry anymore. Most of my friends & family have quit contacting me as they think I am a looser. & while they continue to think that I keep on looking for work and going to interviews until something sticks.

Even if you are working, you have to do things that feed your spirit... The GOP is filled with robots!

The topic line caught my attention. Marian, I like your comment -- I find solace in walking, painting, art history, knitting, blogging etc. Mary Kay, I too find that I loose my drive after a while and feel scattered. I'm finding it difficult to accept that at my age (64), I may never work again even though I still have much to contribute. Prior to 2007, after posting my resume on sites like monster, hotjobs, etc, within 24 hours I'd have calls or email inquiries. Now . . . nothing, nil, not even with LinkedIn! I read recently that we most likely will not experience a healthy economy again. I think this is true. Further, we do not have the leadership of either party to pull us out of this mess.

there are too few jobs for the numbers of unemployed seeking jobs they are qualified to do (not flipping burgers either). And those "working" folks that were NOT affected by job loss, . . . they have no clue of our journey.

desperateinri wrote:I won't survive until I'm eligible for Social Security. Unless you are a hermit, humans do need some social interaction. It is very hard to do this with no money. I crave my independence, I can't stand depending on other people for life's simple pleasures. I am blessed with good family and friends, I doubt I will ever be homeless, but unless I can find something to allow me to be self-sufficient again, I'll never regain my self esteem and confidence.

I also doubt I'll survive to Medicare eligibility unless I have health insurance. I recently tried to get insured, I lost my coverage over 4 years ago. I was turned down by everyone because of a very common and controllable pre-existing condition, hypertension.

I believe you lose more than money when you lose your job, especially for the older, experienced workers in this country.

Desperate, I agree, you lose more than money when you lose a job -- sadly so many folks don't understand this. Stay strong and positve --- something may come your way!

desperateinri wrote:I won't survive until I'm eligible for Social Security. Unless you are a hermit, humans do need some social interaction. It is very hard to do this with no money. I crave my independence, I can't stand depending on other people for life's simple pleasures. I am blessed with good family and friends, I doubt I will ever be homeless, but unless I can find something to allow me to be self-sufficient again, I'll never regain my self esteem and confidence.
I believe you lose more than money when you lose your job, especially for the older, experienced workers in this country.

You are so right on that one ...you certainly loose more money when you lose your job...I lost all self worth, and confidence. However, when I show up for an interview, I put on that fake smile, and try my hardest to make it look like I am confident. Could I survive without never working again...no way! Unless I want to be stuck in a house 24-7 or homeless, I have to work. Lucky for those who don't have to.

Marian wrote:To be honest, if I didn't have to worry about money, I'd gladly not work or do a different kind of work that I really love. For instance, I love to write and while unemployed wrote and published my first book. I also delved into my art, went for long walks and did photography, went swimming and spent time meditating. I think that life would be healthier if it did not revolve around the mighty dollar...

That is terrific!! Congrats on the book.

Thank you so much! I honestly felt that I spent my time while unemployed very well and was rarely bored... I wish that life didn't revolve around the dollar like it does presently...

Honestly? I would not have learned half of what I did about politics and the economy if my husband never lost his job. I try to think of it as an awakening of sorts. I feel awake now and am very eager to learn as much as I can.

I learned so many things--those that you mentioned, but more importantly about my spirituality, my faith, trust and inner strength...

Marian wrote:I learned so many things--those that you mentioned, but more importantly about my spirituality, my faith, trust and inner strength...

Yes, unfortunately we have to hit a crisis in our lives, we have to hit rock bottom, in order to look up, and find the strength elsewhere beyond our own capacity. Fortunately that happened to me many years ago, when I experienced a different kind of crisis, and it is my faith and trust that is getting me thru this, because it certainly isn't human kindness. But, again unfortunately, the one who is giving me strength thru all this, also thinks I'm Job (a perfect example in the Bible of what we are all going thru, except 10 times worth), because the crises never seem to end. ....We are told that we are never given any more than we can handle....I think HE has someone else in mind when he's watching over me. HA!

You'll get through this, Marilyn. Meditate on the God within you who resides in your heart as you. You will find great strength there...