Can you really stop working after winning the lottery?

Winning the lottery and slamming the door at your job: a fantasy shared by millions of employees. But what really happens when the dream comes true?

When you fill out a lotto grid, you often imagine the same scenario: hitting the jackpot, quitting your job overnight and finally enjoying a life without constraints. However, the reality is very different. While nearly 30% of players say they would stop working in the event of a big win, winners rarely take action. Studies carried out by the Ipsos institute on the Loto even show that 42% of people who had a job at the time of the drawing chose to keep it. So, is a million euros really enough to change our relationship to work… and happiness?

For Bruno Hourcade, winner of the 2021 edition of the show Les 12 Coups de midi on TF1, the answer is without doubt. “I’ve never really been a careerist. In fact, for me, work was really just a way to make money – so I could travel, take care of loved ones, etc.” He continues: “I tell myself, life is short, and between being happy and working, I have clearly made my choice.” A choice that makes us dream, but which also raises a question: what does work really bring us, beyond the salary?

Stop working after winning the lottery: the assumed choice of Bruno Hourcade

Since this early retirement, Bruno Hourcade presents himself as retired at only 34 years old. And he says he never gets bored. “I’m so interested in culture that, as long as I have an Internet connection, I have access to a library, I can read, see films, I always have a list of things to do. Finally, I manage not to get bored, to organize myself.”

Psychologies magazine also recalls that his participation in the show allowed him to win numerous gifts, which complete the comfort that his winning offers him.

Winning the lottery does not guarantee happiness

But having a fortune is not always enough to meet all expectations. Psychologists point out that work does not only provide income. It also participates in the construction of identity, the feeling of usefulness and a certain psychological security.

The psychoanalyst Christian Richomme, quoted by the magazine Psychologies, especially warns against the upheavals that follow an exceptional gain.

“Surround yourself with good people, not flatterers. When success attracts, true friends become a rare commodity.” He also recalls: “You are more than your wealth. Your worth is not measured by the size of your assets, but by the quality of your relationships, your ability to love and to remain humble.”

Should you really stop working after a big win?

Financial experts also advise not to make hasty decisions after winning a large sum of money. Before leaving your job permanently, they recommend trying part-time work, taking a long-term leave or a sabbatical year. Support from a psychologist and a financial advisor can also help find a new balance and build this life change peacefully.