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Original poster

Nearly 50 and feel totally exhausted and overwhelmed with life, is this all there is?

238 replies

Summerhopesanddreams · 27/01/2025 21:54

I’m approaching 50 and have worked full time all my life. My children are grown up and have left home but I feel like life never gets any easier.

A typical day is get up early for work, feed the dogs, do a few small jobs around the house, get ready and travel to work.

Spend a full day at work in job that I neither like or dislike, it’s just a job but I need to work financially. Part time isn’t an option, I’m on my own with no entitlement to any benefits as income just above minimum wage.

Travel home, take the dogs for a walk, feed the dogs, hoover up, cleaning, put a wash on and more jobs around the house and garden, life admin such as answering emails, paying bills, online shopping.

Go to bed exhausted and start again the next day.

There is no enjoyment in life and I regularly wonder if things will ever get any better. Is this a common theme these days, anyone else feel the same?

OP posts:
Original poster
Summerhopesanddreams · 27/01/2025 22:08

There are so many things I’d like to do on a weekend but genuinely feel exhausted.

I also have to be careful of finances, there’s never really anything left and live pay day to pay day.

Maybe it is menopause related and I’ve just become stuck in a rut of drudgery.

OP posts:
Elizo · 27/01/2025 22:08

I understand. What are you doing that you enjoy, what can you do that you enjoy? Can you think of anything?

HeronWing · 27/01/2025 22:07

museumum · 27/01/2025 22:01

Sounds like a LOT of cleaning and housework. Why don’t you go out some evenings and do a yoga class or pottery or weaving or whatever?

Yes, surely one person living solo, even with pets, can’t generate that much mess, laundry, or bill paying, online shopping and emails?

What do you do for fun, OP?

Bigearringsbigsmile · 27/01/2025 22:07

You are in a house with no kids. Why is there so much housework? What on earth are you finding to do every day?

sometimesmovingforwards · 27/01/2025 22:05

Your life isn’t something handed to you at a raffle or found at the bottom of a cereal box… the life you’re living is the one you are choosing to live!!

Spondoolie · 27/01/2025 22:05

what do you like doing? What’s stopping you doing fun stuff in the evenings?
i’m also approaching 50 but my children are 12 and 14. I’m on my own and make sure I am out two evenings a week. Sometimes theatre, recital etc, and I sing in a choir and go to tennis (i am rubbish!)

i am very limited due to the children and if I didn’t have to worry about them I would be out and about more.

i walk my dog at 6-7am (sometimes a bit earlier) as it frees time up later in the day. It took me a while to get used to it but I love it now.

basically, its down to you! Go find some fun lovely

dreamingofpalms · 27/01/2025 22:05

Do you plan out arrangements with friends in advance to have something to look forward to?
Do you have a regular hobby evening (e.g. rock choir)?
Are you planning any holidays?
A good, fun life takes effort and planning

ilovebagpuss · 27/01/2025 22:04

Life in winter can be pretty mundane, but do you have friends to meet up with now and again?
Maybe go out for food or to the cinema? I'm 50 and try to do a couple of things a week to get out of the routine you describe.
Maybe you need a little health check if you feel exhausted?
Is there anything local you could join in with or do class wise in the evening.
I think we do have to make our own small pleasures as it can be a bit treadmill like otherwise

TheStigarette · 27/01/2025 22:02

You have to do little things to create joy for yourself. Treat yourself to a nice bath, a decent lunch one day a week, meeting up with a friend, a different walk, ice cream and a box set, trying a new evening class.... small steps til changing things up becomes a habit

Fidgety31 · 27/01/2025 22:02

What do you do for fun at the weekend ?
its sounds like the daily grind is gettin you down - but it won’t change unless you put the effort in to change it .

museumum · 27/01/2025 22:01

Sounds like a LOT of cleaning and housework. Why don’t you go out some evenings and do a yoga class or pottery or weaving or whatever?

Notsuchafattynow · 27/01/2025 22:00

How's your menopause going?

I felt like you before I started HRT?

Your working day sounds pretty usual, although I don't seem to have so much daily admin etc.

Do you follow anything fun on your days off?

Meet friends, do hobbies etc?

Can you find a job you enjoy more? I'm full time, but I love what I do, so it never feels like a chore.

I'm 54 BTW, but don't feel as dragged down as you seem to be.

myfavouritemutant · 27/01/2025 21:58

out of interest, is there pleasure in your weekends? Or when you take annual leave?
I think enjoyment in life doesn’t just happen, you need to carve out time to make it happen. What would give you joy? Can you set aside eg 1 evening a week to doing something specific for you? I appreciate the dogs still need a walk, but life admin and chores can be put aside for a day.

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