Why does nobody talk about the guilt of choosing a side gig over a promotion?

I turned down a $5,000 raise at my desk job last month because it would have cut into the 10 hours a week I spend restoring old wooden furniture in my garage. The money was tempting, but that bench time is the only thing keeping me sane after 40 hours of spreadsheets. Has anyone else here walked away from cash to keep a hobby from feeling like work?

3 comments

3 Comments

ray_martinez8219d ago

I saw this article about a mechanic who turned down a foreman job because he'd rather work on engines with his hands than push papers. Same energy here. That garage time sounds way more valuable than five grand after taxes anyway. Spreadsheets will always be there, but that feeling of bringing an old piece of wood back to life? That's rare. Good for you for knowing what actually fills your tank.

blair_taylor3219d ago

Had a buddy who turned down a company truck and a raise to stay on the tools. He always said the same thing, that the paperwork would just pile up while the real satisfaction disappeared. I learned from watching him that money can't buy that feeling of finishing something with your own two hands. He's still the happiest guy I know at work, zero regrets. Sometimes knowing what you don't want is just as important as knowing what you do.

cora51819d ago

Used to think more money was always the answer, but your buddy's got a good point. Watching someone actually happy with their choice like that makes you rethink what "winning" at work really looks like. Paperwork can wait, but that feeling of finishing something with your hands doesn't come around every day.