I'm kind of burned out with my work. I was thinking that if I could keep getting paid the same, I would prefer to just do something like being a janitor until I hit my FIRE number. I used to be a janitor and it wasn't great. But it also wasn't terrible (except the pay). At the end of the day, and at the end of each hour, I had accomplished something. I didn't take my work home with me. I got some decent exercise. I didn't feel stressed or have trouble getting my work done. And I could think about whatever I wanted to.
At my current job I currently have enormous difficulty overcoming my procrastination. It's so hard to get myself to do certain projects. And it's really hard to see tangible progress on anything I do. And anytime I have a good idea I have to fight like hell for years to see it through to implementation. And I always have those unfinished projects hanging over my head, 24/7. And every day where I don't get much done I spend the entire time feeling bad about it. I do have the ability to sit in a comfortable chair and browse the internet, etc. So I recognize there are luxuries that would go away. But I am just dying to not have to do it anymore.
What about you?
So weird that you ask. Although my job is a blue collar position substantially more humble than yours, I recently had that exact opportunity.
Like you I am burned out and for many reasons I am not very happy. Counting down my last 8 months until FIRE is not helping, I am too eager to get the hell out!
For what it is, my job is sometimes relatively high pressure. Production numbers had better be good, despite machines that often malfunction, and despite some lazy coworkers on the same production line.
Loosely speaking, I am a machine operator. I run a PLC that runs the machines that makes the products. I don't just push buttons, I also do physical labor to make product. Depending on which product I'm making, some days the labor is very light, some days it is moderate, and some days it is almost brutal.
I run the production line, and for that I get at least $2 more per hour ($10 more hourly than their starting pay) than the others who work the same line, but I am no one's boss. There is a lot of worker turnover. And you'd better not ever make a mistake that ruins product. I'm subject to 7 day weeks, and 12 hour days of mandatory overtime.
It is a union shop, and the cleaning crew gets the same pay as production workers.
A 40 hour, four days a week, day shift cleaning crew job was posted, and it had many advantages over my current job. Almost no forced overtime. Three day weekends. Flexible hours, even (work your 40 when you want, with supervisor approval and within reason). Voluntary overtime is often available. Much slower pace. Same pay as I currently enjoy.
There was just one opening, and dozens of people wanted it. I expressed an interest. It was mine for the taking.
I decided against it. I had a few reasons. Partly, as they say, better the devil that I know.
Although we had always got along fine, my potential new supervisor might best be described as “mercurial in mood”.
And maybe, some self image was involved that I didn't want to finish up my working days as a janitor.