Why You Should Never Get A Job
We all know the drill. Get good grades, go to college, get a job, work hard, and retire before you turn 70. That has been “the dream” for generations, and something most people have strived for. But is that really what we should be striving for?
There’s no question that having a job and being able to support yourself is important. But surely there must be more to life than that. Isn’t there another option?
Whether there is or there isn’t, one thing’s for sure: getting a job isn’t the be-all and end-all of life. In fact, though it’s sometimes necessary, there are plenty of reasons why, where possible, you should avoid getting one. Let’s explore this below.
14 reasons why you shouldn’t get a job
1. Jobs are boring
The majority of jobs are boring. They’re repetitive, they require zero creativity, and they offer zero opportunity for personal growth. If you’re the type of person who thrives on variety and enjoys being challenged, then a job isn’t for you.
2. Jobs limit your freedom
Jobs are also incredibly restrictive. You’re often tethered to a desk (or cubicle), you have to ask permission to take time off for a vacation, and you’re expected to show up at a certain time each day regardless of how you’re feeling.
You have to work when your boss says so—even if that means working on weekends or holidays. You also have little to no say in what projects you work on or what tasks you complete each day.
If having some degree of control over your work life is important to you, then again—a job is not an option!
3. Jobs don’t pay enough
In most cases, jobs don’t pay nearly enough for the time and effort expended. Sure, there are a few high-paying jobs out there that are exceptions to the rule. But for the majority of people reading this blog post, those jobs are unattainable.
Life is too short to spend the majority of your time working for peanuts.
4. Jobs don’t offer job security
No matter how loyal or hardworking you are, your job is never 100% secure. Companies downsize and lay off employees all the time—even employees who have been with the company for years.
We all saw just how vulnerable jobs were during the pandemic of 2020. Countless people lost their jobs overnight, jobs they once thought were secure.
Newsflash: there is no such thing as job security when working for someone else!
5. Jobs don’t allow you to be yourself
In most cases, when you have a job, you can’t be yourself. You have to adhere to strict rules and guidelines set forth by your employer—even if those rules go against your personal beliefs or values.
This will include everything from what you wear to your political views. We’ve seen time and time again how people have lost their jobs because they voiced an unpopular opinion or shared a controversial photo on social media.
In other words, when you have a job, you have to be careful about what you say and do—even in your personal life.
6. Jobs are stressful
Jobs are incredibly stressful. In addition to having to deal with annoying co-workers and unreasonable bosses, most jobs also come with impossible deadlines and unrealistic expectations.
If maintaining your mental health is a priority, then it’s best to steer clear of jobs altogether.
7. You’ll have to pay taxes
If you have a job, you’ll have to pay taxes. This means that you’ll end up giving a large chunk of your hard-earned money to the government each year, with no say over how much they take or how it will be spent.
And let’s be honest: most of us would rather keep that money for ourselves!
8. You could get fired or laid off
If you’re not careful, you could easily get fired or laid off from your job. All it takes is one mistake or a slow year at work, and you could find yourself out of a job. That means your income ceases to exist and you’re left scrambling to find another job to support yourself and your family.
Once you’re fired, it can also be difficult to find another job—especially if you have a gap in your employment history or a reference from your previous employer that’s less than stellar.
9. Rude customers or clients
If you get a job that involves dealing with the public, chances are you’ll have to deal with rude customers or clients regularly. No matter how patient or professional you are, there will always be that one customer who makes your life a living nightmare.
And the worst part of all: you won’t be able to tell them what you think of them, either—you’ll just have to grin and bear it.
10. There’s always someone telling you what to do
When you have a job, there’s always someone bossing you around. Middle management especially is notorious for micromanaging their employees and breathing down their necks. The power rush they get from telling other people what to do is almost addictive.
For someone who has a problem with authority, this is the last thing you want. If you value your independence, it’s best to steer clear of jobs altogether.
11. You could get injured
If you have a job, there’s always a risk of being injured on the job. Whether it’s a slip and fall accident or something more serious, workplace injuries are more common than you think.
Some jobs are obviously riskier than others. For example, construction workers and miners have a much higher risk of being injured than office workers. But even if you have a desk job, there’s still a chance you could get injured—say, if you develop carpal tunnel syndrome from typing too much.
12. Commuting is a nightmare
Most people have to commute to and from work every day. And for many of us, that commute is a nightmare!
Whether it’s sitting in traffic or being crammed into a crowded subway car, commuting is often an unpleasant experience. It can also be time-consuming and expensive, especially if you have to pay for gas or public transportation.
And let’s not forget the possibility that you might have to travel in bad weather. Commuting in the snow or rain is never fun.
13. You’ll miss out on important things
Working will inevitably take you away from your family and friends. You’ll miss important events like birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. And if you have kids, you’ll miss out on watching them grow up.
Of course, you can always take vacation days or leave work early for special occasions. But even then, you’ll probably still end up missing some important moments in your loved ones’ lives.
14. You might hate the job
For the vast majority of people, working is a necessary evil. They don’t love their job, but they need the money to support themselves and their family.
A lot of people spend their days working jobs they despise. They’re constantly stressed out and unhappy, counting down the minutes until they can go home. This is the sad reality of becoming a responsible adult.
Conclusion
If given the choice, most people wouldn’t choose to work. But unfortunately, work is a necessary part of life for the vast majority of the human population. It’s not always fun, but it’s often required. So if you’re thinking of getting a job, be prepared for the good and the bad.
Should the cons be more than you can handle, then consider working for yourself. That way, you can set your own hours, work from home, and be your own boss!