Any Other Ladies of Leisure out There?

[sa]

I hope this isnt a thread killer. Are there any other ladies of leisure out there? I used to be one then went back to full time work full time in my profession, partly because I felt guilty at doing "nothing". But I am contracted to spring of next year and I am longing to go back to my life of doing what I want (within reason).

In actual fact, I dont "do nothing". Me and my husband have built up a small number of properties which we rent out and I do arrange all of that and do the tax returns, admin, etc.. But it certainly isn't a full time job although when I can devote all my time to doing it properly and do not have to keep up a property near to my work, I seem to make more money than when I am working full time!

I am only in my mid 30s and do not know anyone else in this position. Am I being lazy? I have a really stressful job and cannot wait until I can stop.

[dawnb]

I guess I am at the moment, as Im on maternity leave. But have just had to make a really hard decision. I was approached by a competitors company who have offered me a huge salary, benefits etc and after much deliberation I have decided to turn the offer down. My current job have allowed me to go back part time so I'll only be working till lunch then I get to spend the afternoons with my daughter. I went through every possible emotion going as I was thinking about what I could do for Savannah with the extra cash, private school you name it I thought about it and did think of accepting. But I wasnt happy with the decision inside if that makes sense so have decided finally to stay where I am for the meantime. Sure it'll mean money isnt in abundance but we've enough to pay the bills, care for the horse and most importantly I'll be there for my baby girl when she needs her mum, no amount of cash can substitute a cuddle I guess.
I dont think you're being lazy at all, if I didnt have to work PT I wouldnt!! Enjoy yourself, lifes too short to be miserable

[lovelylace]

I tried it and was miserable..love my job, love the deadlines, the creative process, the shows, the people, the travelling and of course the money and the status it brings...I get along much better with the men when socialising rather than the their housewifes....but then again I have no children and have very little to contribute in their conversations.
I even love the times it all goes wrong and you have mad conversations at three in the mornings trying to save a collection before a show..or saving an order that is going wrong....sometimes I wish I had more time to myself, friends and the horse, but I think I would enjoy it for a week and then start some company or just redecorating manically...:-)
But horses for courses, if you love it enjoy it!!

[perky]

No not lazy at all, sounds to me like your still doing part time work and if you can earn more money doing it without the stress of full time work you would be crazy to go back to full time work that causes stress..
I am a lady of leisure gave up work when I had my daughter whom is now three, we do struggle with money and cant afford any holidays but I love being with my daughter and being able to do things with here as after all they are not small and needing you for very long and the time now is very precious. We dont need for anything we manage and some things are more important than money.
I will go back to work part time when she starts school but no idea as what i will do as I want to be their for her.
Enjoy life why you can thats my motto dont feel guilty think we all envy you being in that position. ;D

[sa]

Well I think the other consideration is I absolutely hate my job! I keep trying to remind myself it is just my current job and virtually every other job I have had in the past I enjoyed, but it is just so dire! I work right in the city centre and am a part-qualified accountant, hence having to stay until spring when I am fully qualified. Basically the people I work with (with exceptions of course) are not very nice and it is an awful atmosphere. Seems a shame to get fully qualified just to give it all up but it is very hard to get a part-time job unless you start in a firm and then get your hours adjusted after a few years.

I wasn't bored when I was a lady of leisure, I used to ride my horse, go to the gym a lot, have facials and massages and go for drives looking for properties to do up! Sounds awful doesnt it! I used to do things like go away myself on holiday for a few days and stay in b & b and just explore, visit stately homes, etc. Or nip down to London and spend the day in Harrods! I think I am quite well suited to being a lady of leisure because I was never bored. Plus I could buy another couple of rental properties to manage to safeguard my pension!

My job is really strict. We are not allowed to make or take any personal calls at work, even on our mobiles. So I have to schedule all the necessary stuff into lunchtime or sneak into the toilets to make an essential call. Yet it is hypocritical; the women I share an office with all make very personal calls but I was hauled up for taking one holiday rental call on my mobile. But that holiday rental made me 3 months salary in one go! They are also really stressy about holidays, you must basically book them all at the beginning of the year and not change them or take single days.

I would also like to go further with my showjumping. I have two horses registered BSJA sound and fit and I can hardly get out with them at all. Would love to do Wednesday night jumping a few times over the winter but due to the time I finish its just not feasible. And not allowed to use my holidays for them!

But its not as if I have got children like Dawnb! My husband and I are in full agreement that we dont want any and want to enjoy our lives without them. He earns a good salary and doesnt dictate to me what I should or shouldnt do at all but think he has slight preference for lady of leisure as so much more flexible. I do know women who have given up work after children but its almost like they feel they have to have an excuse. And no wonder, before I went back to work, husband's parents described me as "unemployed". That really got to me.

[bayhorse]

I don't work but don't class myself as a 'lady of leisure' as I have six horses, three dogs and a small farm that is in constant need of DIY!! I also have three kids, two of whom don't live at home now. I used to work up until we moved house, then moved again to the country but my hubby works in London so I don't see him all week, not ideal. I do love being able to organise my day how I want it and am never bored - too much to do! Did not miss the office workplace or politics although I did quite enjoy it while I was there - would not want to go back though.

[Val (Toons&co)]

I wish I was and I only work part-time (to pay for the horses of course). I could very well take care of my horses (and anybody else's) full time without getting bored but altho it would keep me busy all day, I have to admit to a tendency to laziness whatever I do (or don't do) LOL.

[Louise C]

I'm more a lady of leisure than anything else I guess! I do work part-time at a Welsh pony stud but fit that in whenever it's handy as I don't feed them unless asked. But I have Epilepsy and can't handle to much stress so full time job wouldn't be much good, especially as I'm only qualified to work with horses.

We do have 2 kids in their teens, and I have to say they are a pleasure to be around.

[esme]

The term Lady of Leisure is quite deceptive as really there is no such thing! Then people say "Don't you work", so my standard reply is "I'm not in paid employment, no". I think we'd all go crazy if we did nothing, I do housework (when I really have to and it won't go away), look after our horse and my two day loan as well (although I see him and feed him most days too), I consider looking after our dog and walking him as part of my "duties" as well as all the other day to day stuff. Oh and I get time for social niceties as well which I am then at liberty to fit in when I want to.

Go for it, if you don't have to stay at your job consider yourself very lucky and concentrate on what you would like to do. You never know circumstances change and you might lose the chance to take a bit of time right now and do horsey things - live for today!

[gwenoakes]

I wish. My Oh and I are the same age. He says he is not going to retire! As we run our own business that means I wont be able to either Aaaaaaaaaaaarh! So I am sure I will be well past my sell by date when I jump off the work wagon if at all as we are now both 57. If you can afford not to do paid work then go for it. You only live once. Just be as happy as you can be. Wishing you luck.

[lovelylace]

I suppose it depends what job you do do, though, you seem to not enjoy what you do and it sounds a bit ghastly, but I suppose you could just stick it out until you have your qualification and then do the properties and perhaps some accountancy work from home...
I also have a few properties that I rent out in London and although it is great when they are let and no problems are ocurring they can if something goes wrong also cost alot of money, and if you have them on a mortgage and they are not let for any period of time it can be a burden financially as well..
I think you should do what makes you happy, I love working but as head designer in my company I have freedom and perks and my job is although demanding , very flexible...so no problem with competing or holidays, it sounds like you dont like the place rather than actually working...sounds awful to have to creep into the loos for personal calls....

[jennyb]

sa, I've been there! I qualified 2001 in ACCA and was in practice at the time, they were right dragons, it was all take, take, take and I was working about a 45-50 hour week by the time I left (but only getting paid for 38 hours!). I'm currently in the NHS earning more money, better pension and holidays and flexi time, very good about me fitting the horse in. But a week on Friday I leave to go and be the accountant for Bransby Home of Rest for Horses - hoping that will work out to be my ideal job!

I'd say if you don't enjoy the pressure and the hours, get out of practice and try your hand elsewhere in the industry before you quit. Would be such a shame to put all that work into your qualification and then not use it and benefit from your earning power, lol!

[sa]

"sounds like you dont like the place rather than actually working...sounds awful to have to creep into the loos for personal calls....[/quote]

Exactly JennyB and LovelyLace. It does seem a shame to waste my qualification and in any other career I could just change jobs but I will have to stick it out until March. Not long to go really. I am just so sickened after forcing myself to go into a job I hate for so long that I can hardly remember what not dreading your job is like! And I spent a few years after postgrad at uni being a lady of leisure...

Its not even sneaking into the toilets for personal calls, I really dont make any now, its for things like calls to the bank, sorting out electricity bills, etc.! I took that one call about my holiday let (told them not to phone me during working hours too) and my "colleague" overheard and repeated it to the boss, was blown up out of all proportion and now I know that anything else heard will be the same. But if I have to listen about her calls about both her daughter's failed marriages another time! Dont mean to be nasty but if they have inherited her temperament then I'm not surprised!

It is all take, take, very aggressive, people shouting at each other for minor things, just keep my head down and try not to let it put me off too much (and it is off-putting...)

Have worked out only 4 farrier's visits until I finish - thats not many!

[jennyb]

Really, not all accountancy jobs are like that! Practice is known for being high-pressure and demanding, my ex-employers sound a bit like yours, lol! I can laugh about it now I've left, but when I was there it was awful!

I remember one time when my manager told me that someone had told the partner that someone had seen me leaving early (very tittle-tattle!), and I was really cross because I hadn't. I thought "right, I'm off to sort this out" and went to see the partner. I caught him in the corridor and said "x just told me that you said someone saw me leaving early the other day?" and he said "Yes, it was me!". A bit gobsmacked then, so I replied " it wasn't early, it was 5.15" and he said "Oh, was that what time it was, I didn't look at my watch" and wandered off without even an apology!! Grr...

So pathetic, but my current job is much better. In fact, I get on really well with the girls in my office and will be quite sad to leave them, but the new post is better long-term prospects.

[hebs]

I am at the mo but not wanting to be, I had a fall from my horse four weeks ago and have broken my left wrist and have been signed off sick for 6 weeks. Am getting fed up with the boredom, cant ride, cant drive car. Counting down the weeks till I can ride again, could get used to not working though.