Comments on: Adventures in Full-Time Work https://thehappyphilosopher.com/full-time-work/ A Guide to Freedom and Happiness Wed, 25 Oct 2017 04:15:33 +0000 hourly 1 By: TheHappyPhilosopher https://thehappyphilosopher.com/full-time-work/#comment-8506 Wed, 27 Sep 2017 14:40:27 +0000 http://thehappyphilosopher.com/?p=1585#comment-8506 In reply to Fishbird.

Thanks for your comment Fishbird. It is awesome and humbling that I can help you on your journey to find happiness and freedom. You make a good point, sometimes knowing someone is having the same struggles as you can be comforting, and allow us freedom to go against the grain of what society tells us we should all be doing. Who knows, maybe your current employer will see the light and allow you to stay in part time when you are committed to leaving. If you make it a win-win for you and them it is likely something can be worked out. Recruiting and retaining good physicians is tough in many specialties. Good luck and drop back to let us know how things work out 🙂

]]> By: Fishbird https://thehappyphilosopher.com/full-time-work/#comment-8471 Tue, 26 Sep 2017 15:35:38 +0000 http://thehappyphilosopher.com/?p=1585#comment-8471 Thanks so much for this post, although I’m getting to it a bit late. For what it’s worth, your timing is impeccable. I first discovered your website over a year ago precisely when, in the depths of unrelenting burnout, I had made the decision to take the leap and leave full time medicine. Having worked as a full time physician for over 17 years at that point, it was an incredibly difficult decision to make, and I knew no one personally who had decided to do this before classic retirement age. Knowing that there was a kindred spirit out there who had done what I was contemplating and had no regrets with that decision helped me immeasurably.

Fast forward a year. I’ve been working part time with no call for the past 6 months and feel like I have been given my life back again. Time to spend with my wife and children and to be fully present. Time to exercise, meditate, catch up with friends, read, write, walk, hike, contemplate, philosophize. Wow.

Long story short. My part time position has recently been eliminated in an organizational culling. I am to meet with administration today to discuss other avenues (all full time with full time call) that I can pursue within the organization. Thanks, but no thanks. I have thankfully found another part time gig as a physician 50 miles away, but, despite the commute, it allows me to work two days a week (more than enough to provide for my family’s needs and even put away a bit for the future) and retain the dignity that I have rediscovered after such a long time in the wilderness.

Your Matrix analogy is apt. I came to the same conclusion over a year ago, and now, unplugged, I will do anything necessary not to return to that existence again.

All the best.

]]> By: TheHappyPhilosopher https://thehappyphilosopher.com/full-time-work/#comment-7271 Sat, 19 Aug 2017 21:09:13 +0000 http://thehappyphilosopher.com/?p=1585#comment-7271 In reply to Tony Nesse.

I promise no babies were thrown out writing this post, only bath water. I did find a solution. I wrote about it before.

http://thehappyphilosopher.com/happy-philosopher-the-backstory/

http://thehappyphilosopher.com/a-physicians-guide-to-working-part-time/

I find purpose and happiness in many things, but work is not one of them. When I retire I will not miss work.

]]> By: Tony Nesse https://thehappyphilosopher.com/full-time-work/#comment-7269 Sat, 19 Aug 2017 19:51:26 +0000 http://thehappyphilosopher.com/?p=1585#comment-7269 Sure, chronic unrelenting work pressure can ruin your disposition, marriage and happiness. My suggestion is to find a solution, even if it may be as drastic as a new job. Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water.
After 50 years in diagnostic radiology, I still was looking forward to the day’s work every morning. Now retired, I miss the CSI-like challenge of each case, and the company of my smart, funny coworkers. Yes, there were busy days and nights, even in retrospect I can recall the pressure. But the work was what gave me a purpose in life, and I am still pleased and happy thinking of all the folks I have helped. This satisfaction goes a long way toward happiness.

]]> By: Reflections on Pain: Part 2 | The Happy Philosopher https://thehappyphilosopher.com/full-time-work/#comment-6732 Sat, 29 Jul 2017 20:08:11 +0000 http://thehappyphilosopher.com/?p=1585#comment-6732 […] just finished a stretch of three months of full-time work due to my partners’ maternity leave. It was a tough transition to be honest, but I adjusted to […]

]]> By: TheHappyPhilosopher https://thehappyphilosopher.com/full-time-work/#comment-6575 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 03:20:59 +0000 http://thehappyphilosopher.com/?p=1585#comment-6575 In reply to Akel.

Awesome! Glad I could help. Let us know if you do decide to make a change and how it pans out.

]]> By: Akel https://thehappyphilosopher.com/full-time-work/#comment-6570 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 23:10:24 +0000 http://thehappyphilosopher.com/?p=1585#comment-6570 Timely. I’m in high tech, my company just got acquired by a giant corporation and I’ve a job offer from the new company, but I’m wrestling with figuring out where I want my career to go from here. Also, my mother just died a few months ago after years of caring for her through memory and health decline. I am only just realizing that I am burnt. Really burnt. After years of frugality, I can go to part-time but honestly I hadn’t really been thinking about that path until I read this post and realized it might be just the answer I need right now. Life is short and there are so many things I want to do, and very low on the list is to contribute to the bottom line of corporate america. Thank you!

]]> By: TheHappyPhilosopher https://thehappyphilosopher.com/full-time-work/#comment-6499 Wed, 12 Jul 2017 03:16:36 +0000 http://thehappyphilosopher.com/?p=1585#comment-6499 In reply to El Jefe.

Thank you 🙂

]]> By: TheHappyPhilosopher https://thehappyphilosopher.com/full-time-work/#comment-6498 Wed, 12 Jul 2017 03:16:13 +0000 http://thehappyphilosopher.com/?p=1585#comment-6498 In reply to KAREN.

I think some people thrive on trying to do it all, but I am not one of those people. 20-25 hours a week is what I think is optimal.

]]> By: El Jefe https://thehappyphilosopher.com/full-time-work/#comment-6487 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 14:44:37 +0000 http://thehappyphilosopher.com/?p=1585#comment-6487 Really well done post. It’s why I keep coming back to this blog. Thought provoking and insightful. Love it.

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