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Disillusioned with stressful jobs, a whole generation of women are opting out of the rat race
Daily Mail UK ^ | 25th January 2010 | Marianne Power

Posted on 01/24/2010 7:42:49 PM PST by Lorianne

Last summer, my friend Vanessa handed in her notice at work. She did not have another job to go to, and unlike thousands of people around the country, she wasn't made redundant.

In fact, the online marketing company she worked for was thriving. And that was the problem. She was too busy and, at the grand old age of 34, she decided she could no longer be bothered to be busy.

Vanessa is not alone. I can think of five close friends who have either quit their jobs or gone part-time in the past two years - and only one of them has children. For years, the only reason women would take a step back from their career was to raise a family, but my friends are getting off the treadmill before then.

A new book called 30-Something And Over It - What Happens When You Wake Up One Morning And Don't Want To Go To Work. . . Ever Again sums up the mood.

Its author, Kasey Edwards, was a high-flying management consultant earning a huge salary and living in a penthouse apartment with her successful boyfriend - until one day she realised her life had lost its 'zing'. 'Have you ever woken up and realised that you didn't want to go to work?' she asks.

'I don't mean you had a big night and you'd prefer to sleep in, or it's a nice day and you'd rather take your dog to the park instead. I'm talking about being over it.

'Completely and utterly over it. Sure, you might have a gold card, but you've maxed it out buying things you can't afford and that you don't even need, trying to fill a void that just can't be filled. You numb your discontentment every night with gin and tonics.'

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: bookreview; genx; women
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To: hinckley buzzard

Jack ass.
Well...................never mind you wouldn’t understand anyway.


21 posted on 01/24/2010 8:02:11 PM PST by svcw (Ellie and Mark come out come out where ever you are.....)
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To: pnh102

I felt that way when I worked as an engineer. I hated it. Of course, I just got married and started having babies.

I don’t think I’ll ever go back to being an engineer.

I’m lucky that my husband has worked hard. He’s done well, so we have lots of savings. We could afford for him to do something he enjoys more, but he won’t quit.

If they can afford to have a less stressful job, then good for them. Maybe they have savings. They also may be scaling back their homes and their clothes. It’s amazing how much women spend on clothing when they are working.


22 posted on 01/24/2010 8:03:11 PM PST by luckystarmom
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To: Lorianne
'Completely and utterly over it. Sure, you might have a gold card, but you've maxed it out buying things you can't afford and that you don't even need, trying to fill a void that just can't be filled. You numb your discontentment every night with gin and tonics.'

Everybody has a "God Shaped Hole" in them. Some try to fill it with drugs or alcohol. Others try sex. Some fill this "God Shaped Hole" with achievements. Some chase new age BS in order to numb the desire.

There's only one thing that will fill the "God Shaped Hole."

23 posted on 01/24/2010 8:03:28 PM PST by Grizzled Bear (Does not play well with others.)
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To: hinckley buzzard

There’s a lot of guys that are also choosing to work a lot less. Sure they could choose to make more.... but then they’ll just buy a bunch of stuff they might get out of the packege just to have it disappear in the back of the closet. Once the closets are all full you have to go looking for a selfstorage bay or a bigger house. Meanwhile too much of your labor goes to provide a lifestyle to people living off the government.


24 posted on 01/24/2010 8:03:43 PM PST by Wissa ("So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause."-Padme Amidala)
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To: svcw; luckystarmom
Some people change the way they live and only one person needs to work. Its not easy, I repeat it is not easy but can be done.

Tell me about it. I thank God that I make enough money to enable my wife to stay at home and raise our child.

25 posted on 01/24/2010 8:11:55 PM PST by pnh102 (Regarding liberalism, always attribute to malice what you think can be explained by stupidity. - Me)
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To: Lorianne

They should stay with their higher paying jobs to pay off their mechanics’ liens. ;-)


26 posted on 01/24/2010 8:14:31 PM PST by familyop (cbt. engr. (cbt), NG, '89-' 96, Duncan Hunter or no-vote.)
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To: Wissa
These ladies should be saving money for a rainy day. They won't always be age 35. Companies may not want to hire them at age 55. In other words, they should make use of their peak earning years when they're healthy enuf to work.
27 posted on 01/24/2010 8:16:58 PM PST by Ciexyz
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To: Lorianne

http://www.thehamsterwheelanalysis.com/2009/04/hamster-wheel.html


28 posted on 01/24/2010 8:19:50 PM PST by rfp1234
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To: Lorianne

Good! If those hard working women will get out of the labor pool maybe us lazy bums will have a chance.


29 posted on 01/24/2010 8:19:57 PM PST by Mind-numbed Robot (Not all that needs to be done needs to be done by the government)
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To: Lorianne

Yep I have. When hubby and I married in 1986 he said it was up to me whether I ever worked or not, Mostly it has been not. We don’t have a new car but do own 2 properties free and clear.


30 posted on 01/24/2010 8:20:15 PM PST by chris_bdba
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To: Ciexyz
These ladies should be saving money for a rainy day. They won't always be age 35. Companies may not want to hire them at age 55. In other words, they should make use of their peak earning years when they're healthy enuf to work.

When I was 34 I quit a job without another job lined up to go to. I decided to take a month traveling around the western US with my son. I've got no regrets.

31 posted on 01/24/2010 8:22:35 PM PST by Wissa ("So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause."-Padme Amidala)
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To: KrisKrinkle

Bingo. Happiness is a talent that transcends conditions. Anyone talented at happiness will be happy whether they are rich, poor, or even missing limbs or paraplegic. Conversely, those talented at unhappiness will not only be unhappy no matter what, but they will drain the happiness from all those around them and in that find the only happiness of which they are capable.


32 posted on 01/24/2010 8:24:44 PM PST by HerrBlucher (Jail Al Gore and the Climate Frauds!)
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To: Lorianne

Abortion and the feminist movement have not liberated women - they have liberated MEN! Men can act like dogs in heat, and can avoid their responsibilities to family, women, and the children they have fathered.


33 posted on 01/24/2010 8:25:04 PM PST by PGR88
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To: svcw

lol. yeah. you said it. :-)


34 posted on 01/24/2010 8:26:02 PM PST by GOP Poet (Obama is an OLYMPIC failure.)
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To: freemama

Agree and wait until they get bored or want that expensive toy they can’t have.


35 posted on 01/24/2010 8:27:09 PM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: ruiner

Our glorious Congress has been stealing that choice for years. I wish you guys well.

Nothing better than having the family front and center.


36 posted on 01/24/2010 8:29:54 PM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: Wissa

I’m 52 male and work full-time. If I had to I can probably live off my savings for a number of years or even scale back more. I don’t desire a lot of things anymore however still going to work while in these productive years and in good health. There are many days I don’t want to work however but if forced to adapt without a job or part time I can do it.


37 posted on 01/24/2010 8:29:59 PM PST by tflabo (Restore the Republic)
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To: ruiner
Congrats...she will not regret it. I left full time employment when my kids were born, and though we've dug a bit of a hole for ourselves financially, I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. We have a great relationship with our teens because we took the time to develop it over the years.

My suggestion to your wife - keep a few of the suits, find something you're passionate about and get involved part-time. Direct sales is a tremendous outlet for career women. You can set your own hours and goals-make a little money or a lot, and the professional training can't be beat!

Having been a full time and part time stay at home mom, I learned that I was a much better mom if I had a little outside occupation as long as I had say over my schedule. Of course, that involved having a supportive spouse who appreciated his "alone" time with the kids. It truly is the best of both worlds.

38 posted on 01/24/2010 8:31:27 PM PST by Mygirlsmom (Episode 2010: A NEW HOPE)
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To: freekitty

I am wondering if it may also have to do with the job losses too.

They may feel they need to get out before the axe.


39 posted on 01/24/2010 8:33:00 PM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: Ciexyz; Wissa
" In other words, they should make use of their peak earning years when they're healthy enuf to work."

Or accept the higher calling, and raise their family while they're young enough to have one, and get full enjoyment out of life. - My eldest son's wife learned this lesson the hard way, and had to be invitro implanted with children of another woman. She almost didn't make it at all, and went through several years of grief.

40 posted on 01/24/2010 8:33:03 PM PST by editor-surveyor (Democracy, the vilest form of government, pits the greed of an angry mob vs. the rights of a man)
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