I am very excited and gleeful tonight (even despite finding out my ex is engaged to someone else five months after we parted ways). You see, I have hatched a plan that, if approved, will enable me to spend more time doing the things I love and less time at work letting my grey matter sit idle because there's not enough to keep me occupied.
I have asked to cut my working week back to four days and I will be able to do this because my rent has gone up. Yes, up. It's increased by so much that I have no choice but to get someone in to rent the spare room. Splitting the rent down the middle would fortuitously save me about a day's wages, and I got to thinking...
I'm going to be 40 in less than four years (yeah, I know, not old by any means, but it's a milestone birthday) and I'd rather spend as much of that time as I can pursuing interests that I am passionate about and doing things that make me happy. I want more out of life than sitting at my desk twiddling my thumbs and clock watching. Yes, I could get a busier job, but a three-day weekend seems like a lot more fun to me. I am single, childless and mortgage-free and I'm going to make the most of that relatively carefree state while I can (without suffering financially for it).
I have already jumped the first hurdle - the business manager thinks it's a great idea and said he admires my passion. Whoooooo! Now the partners have to agree, but I can't see why they would pooh-pooh a plan that means they would be paying me to skulk about the interwebs and chat to friends for four days instead of five.
First I have to get a flatmate....
Any (deliberate) downshifters among you? Would you if you could? Is there anyone who loves their job so much they wouldn't want to cut back? (If so, I hope you realise how lucky you are!)
6 comments:
excellent plan.
i hope it works well. do you think it will be difficult to find a suitable housemate?
Hope you can find a really good flat mate, it is not easy.
I have been working a 3 day week for the last 4 years, money was VERY tight, but it is amazing how cheaply you can live if you really want to. I do own my own little home,bought it cheaply, ten years ago... untouched fifties era, Reno almost finished.Having a 4 day weekend is UNBELIEVABLE, stress level is zero.
Good for you ... life is just too short! I really admire you for doing this!
I've never had a roommate so it'll be interesting to hear how the search goes and then ... how living with someone else works out.
It is an exciting plan!
Small Footprints
http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com
Hi db. Thanks. I hope it works too (and that I don't end up spending the extra day sleeping).
I think the quantity of applicants for the flat won't be an issue. but finding quality (or the right kind of quality) will be harder.
Hello Abbeysmum. I hope so too.
I bet a four day weekend is fantastic! You're lucky you own your place - it's far easier to live cheaply without a mortage or rent.
Hey small footprints. I don't have a lot of share accomodation experience, and this is the first time I've been the one looking for a flatmate, so it will be interesting to see how it goes. I'm feeling more enthusiastic about sharing knowing that it is the means to cutting back my hours at work!
Bravo! Sending good luck to you for finding the perfect flatmate. Way to make a choice to enrich your life! :)
Thanks you, Fantastic Forrest! The hunt has begun!
Enriching my life is the perfect description of what I want to achieve by working less - or being at work les, more accurately. At this stage I don't think I will be doing it forever, but I want to try it while I can.
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