Thursday, August 27, 2009

Why do we go to work?

Welcome to my new blog "Simple Life, Better Life".

Whilst the idea for this blog has been in my mind for a while, it is only recently that I really started considering my life and the path that it was headed. I recently read a statistic that states the average time spent at work in a lifetime is 93,600 hours. 93,600 hours!!!

This really hit home a few days ago when I was asked by a financial planner, "Why do you go to work?". Whilst the obvious answer was, "To make money", I was encouraged to delve deeper and consider what we want the money for. Whilst I like to think I earn money to enjoy a nice lifestyle, it has occurred to me that I may be mistaking 'great lifestyle' with 'lots of stuff'.

Are we spending the majority of our life working just for 'stuff'? The latest plasma TV, the newest model car and everything else we need to keep up with the Jones'. Would you be willing to sacrifice your plasma TV for an extra 5 hours at home with your children? Would you give up the latest gadget if it meant you could go for a nice meal with your partner?

At only 28, society dictates that i should be moneycentric - focused on making money and spending money - however I am proposing that there is an alternative option. That living a simpler life (with less 'stuff') can actually create a better life.

I'm looking forward to sharing my learning process with you, and seeing if a simple life really is a better life.

I'd love to hear your thoughts - why do you go to work?

3 comments:

  1. Very interesting, Caz. Looking forward to more from you. :-)
    Why do I go to work? Yeah, to get money to pay the bills, I guess, but like you, we are looking toward simplicity and getting rid of 'stuff' to lead a better and less stressful life. Enjoying the processes of it, too.

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  2. Hi Denise - Thanks for the comment. Good luck on the road to simplicity! I'm glad you're enjoying the process.

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  3. I am a stay at home mum and find that i just cant afford the stuff. I shop at op shops for clothes and reward myself each month with a book I really love. I don't feel like I am missing out and I have worked full time before and blown most of my pay on clothes anyway. Now I can get a whole lot more clothes for a much cheaper price. So for me I don't think I am missing out on anything. I love being with my kids each day, but it does get hard. I have sacrificed a lot just so that I can get a babysitter to come in twice a week to take over the kids and it is worth every cent. I am trying to simplify my life to. Follow my blog www.anorganisedmum.blogspot.com and learn how to de-clutter and organise.

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