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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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1 posted on 01/24/2010 7:42:51 PM PST by Lorianne
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To: Lorianne

These people must either be trust fund babies, live in their parents’ basements, or married up. How else can people just afford to quit their jobs?


2 posted on 01/24/2010 7:46:21 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
Like George Carlin said, "It's always about the stuff."
3 posted on 01/24/2010 7:47:16 PM PST by Humidston
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To: pnh102

Same reason most Dem voters can afford not to work— they live in a welfare state.


4 posted on 01/24/2010 7:47:52 PM PST by sthguard (The DNC theme song: "All You Need is Guv")
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To: Lorianne

OK.

So who feeds Vanessa?

If these people had to provide their own food, clothes, and shelter, they might not be quite so “completely and utterly over it.”

Socialism at work, so Vanessa doesn’t have to.


5 posted on 01/24/2010 7:48:58 PM PST by Jedidah (Be bold, be sharp, be blunt -- but show a kind conservative heart. The world watches and takes note.)
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To: pnh102

Women have choices.


6 posted on 01/24/2010 7:49:11 PM PST by DManA
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To: pnh102
Office Space Syndrome.

"I see you've missed a lot of work lately."

"Oh, I wouldn't say I've missed it, Bob."

7 posted on 01/24/2010 7:49:31 PM PST by rabidralph ("Precedenting" is a lot tougher than community organizing.)
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To: Lorianne

I’m a 39 year old guy and I feel that way.


8 posted on 01/24/2010 7:49:57 PM PST by goseminoles
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To: pnh102

very generous welfare state


9 posted on 01/24/2010 7:50:43 PM PST by GeronL (http://tyrannysentinel.blogspot.com)
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To: Lorianne

People like this were in ‘the game’ for the wrong reason in the first place! Selfishness is the most hollow reason to excel in your job. Working hard to better other peoples lives either by the product you produce or by earning money to take care of your family is so much more rewarding!

These lost 30 somethings really missed the boat. I hope they can figure out how to jump back in for the right reasons.


10 posted on 01/24/2010 7:51:10 PM PST by freemama
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To: freemama

I must admit I didn’t read the article but my wife is in this same boat. She loves to work and has a great job in the commerical real estate industry. Only thing is they work her to death, always on call etc etc.

I think we’ve sold a fairy tale to people that both husband and wife can work 50+ hours a week, raise a family and have a great standard of living. A lot of these women are fighting that nagging voice in their head that tells them to spend more time with their children.

When our next is born my wife is leaving her great paying job to stay home with the kids. It is good for the kids and it is good for the family. We just don’t know what we’re going to do with the 30 business suits she has!


11 posted on 01/24/2010 7:56:00 PM PST by ruiner
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To: Lorianne
So a bunch of idiot women discover that going to work every day is not such a great way to go through life. Duh. Did these airheaded bimbo morons think men go to work every day because it's fun?

Sorry, girls. Life's a bitch, and math is hard. Better stay home and do your nails.

12 posted on 01/24/2010 7:56:56 PM PST by hinckley buzzard
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To: freemama

I have no problem with these whiny limeys stopping and having a “mid-life crisis’ because it will happen to 30 somethings. You cannot do the same job/s over and over 5 days a week unless you really love what you’re doing and getting paid for it.


13 posted on 01/24/2010 7:57:29 PM PST by max americana
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To: pnh102

Not so. 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.


14 posted on 01/24/2010 7:57:46 PM PST by svcw (Ellie and Mark come out come out where ever you are.....)
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To: Jedidah
So who feeds Vanessa? If these people had to provide their own food, clothes, and shelter, they might not be quite so “completely and utterly over it.” Socialism at work, so Vanessa doesn’t have to.

Vanessa does freelance work and makes about 15,000 pounds. Its enough for a modest lifestyle. Sometimes you just get fed up with putting forth a lot of effort when the incremental work just goes to FEED the welfare state.

15 posted on 01/24/2010 7:58:02 PM PST by Wissa ("So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause."-Padme Amidala)
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To: Lorianne

Whiney . . . right to the end.


16 posted on 01/24/2010 7:58:37 PM PST by YHAOS
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To: Lorianne

From the article: “All this was supposed to make me happy,...”

“All this” can’t make you happy.

“He” can’t make you happy.

“She” can’t make you happy.

You must have it within yourself to be happy.

The most you can expect from “all this”, “he”, or “she” is that they will allow you to be happy, because what they can do is make you unhappy.


17 posted on 01/24/2010 7:58:52 PM PST by KrisKrinkle (Blessed be those who know the depth and breadth of their ignorance. Cursed be those who don't.)
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To: DManA

If they are married, they have choices. Men typically don’t have such choices. Occasionally, my wife accuses me of treating her like a slave (typically because I ask for something reasonable). I remind her that I’m the one who has to roll out of bed every morning to support the family, whether I like it or not. I don’t get to watch soap operas, take afternoon naps, or go window shopping. So...who is whose slave?


18 posted on 01/24/2010 7:59:04 PM PST by rbg81 (DRAIN THE SWAMP!!)
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To: Lorianne
So a bunch of idiot women discover that going to work every day is not such a great way to go through life. Duh. Did these airheaded bimbo morons think men go to work every day because it's fun?

Sorry, girls. Life's a bitch, and math is hard. Better stay home and do your nails.

19 posted on 01/24/2010 7:59:19 PM PST by hinckley buzzard
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To: Lorianne

Hmmm...decide you don’t wanna go to work... Where I work, that’s called “AWOL.” Must be nice to have that option.


20 posted on 01/24/2010 7:59:44 PM PST by Grizzled Bear (Does not play well with others.)
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