Saturday, April 6, 2019

If I'm being honest

To work or not to work, that is the question.

Whether to suffer the slings and arrows of public transportation, annoying lawyers and crowds of people, or to stay home, in my happy place...

I got a call the other day from one of the offices where I've temped in the past. They're doing a bit of staff reorganization (where have I heard that before?) and need coverage during the period of disruption.

I said that I was still only willing to work three days per week, and they're fine with that, after the first week or two where they need some extra help.

I'm waiting to hear back regarding salary and hours - this preliminary call was just to confirm that I was still looking for part-time work - but now I'm reconsidering.

Do I want to go back into an office? I don't need to right now - and part of me would like to work from home, getting ready for craft show season and seeing how much I can get done on this new book.

I've never tried writing one flat-out because of interest before; it's always just been something I did because I enjoyed it. But now that the first book will be published in November, I need to think about a follow up. I'm never going to make a living exclusively from writing - the days of that happening are pretty much over unless you strike it REALLY lucky or are able to churn out a half dozen books a year.

But I also don't need much money. I figured out when I left full-time employment six years ago just how much I need to get by, and that was when I had a $1K per month mortgage. Life costs less now.

Plus, show season starts at the end of April, and my surgery is scheduled for May 1st. And somewhere in there I'll be dealing with the stucco contractor rebuilding the top portion of the chimney, and I'd really like to be around to supervise him. (Or get under his feet and annoy the crap out of him, if I'm being honest).


3 comments:

Unknown said...

I love that you are looking closely at your options. Life is too short to spend at a desk, unless you really want to be there. I retired at 57, after 34 years in a job that was becoming ever more stressful and unsatisfying. Over the past 10 years I have dealt with a number of health issues, but I don't let them limit me more than is absolutely necessary. Now I am fortunate to be able to spend my time with wonderful people who are always learning and enjoying life. I volunteer, spend time with family and friends, travel, garden, read, sew, dance am learning to paint... It makes me sad to hear people who don't know how to find happiness and satisfaction in their lives. Please follow your heart!

Vicki said...

Its tricky. Like Unkown above, follow your heart. I should follow my heart as I am so over working in a professional office. I'm 61 next week but I keep thinking, just some more funds stashed away to make retirement fun.

Galica said...

Tradespeople solve this by adding a premium to their price if they don't really want the job but don't want to say no. If the punter is prepared to pay over the odds, then at least they make plenty of money.