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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Warning: this post may cause a little envy… but only a tiny bit 😏

458 replies

Flowerofdestiny · 23/10/2025 23:04

Does anyone in their 50s actually exist who does nothing all day?

I feel a bit silly asking this, but I’ve been wondering…

Does anyone in their 50s exist whose kids are grown, who doesn’t work full-time, and literally has days completely free of obligations?

I’m genuinely curious: is it as boring as it sounds, or actually a little paradise?

I feel a bit nosy for asking, but I’d love honest answers 😅

OP posts:
ResusciAnnie · 23/10/2025 23:18

My mum was like that in her 50s (mid 60s now). Sat around a lot, was on Facebook a lot, structured her days around walking the dog and going to the charity shops, and buying things on eBay. Not sure she was very happy!

Original poster
Flowerofdestiny · 23/10/2025 23:17

Following all of this with interest.
It must be lovely to have that free life—though if I ever did, I’d probably feel guilty more than I’d enjoy it. Feeling a bit daft for thinking that!

OP posts:
Gnarab24 · 23/10/2025 23:16

My cousins wife.
He's a multimillionaire.
On the surface it looks like a designer clad heaven.
Its not.

Bonjovispyjamas · 23/10/2025 23:15

I'm 59 and work 3 days a week. I love being at home the other 4 days and never get bored. I've worked really long days/weeks for years, now I'm loving winding down towards retirement, I've earned it.

MNLurker1345 · 23/10/2025 23:12

I am 58. I keep busy, pottering around the house all day. My husband and I do what we do because we want to or because it needs to be done. I am never bored, there is always something to do. I do appreciate the total freedom.

BankfieldForever · 23/10/2025 23:11

I’m 55 and live in the country. I haven’t worked for 25 years and spend my days doing housework, pottering, playing and cuddling with my cats, knitting, sewing, watching TV, going for walks and doing odd jobs around the property, and then I do stuff with DH after cooking our dinner. Which I’m not obligated to do.

I don’t think much about whether I’m lucky or whether its actually regressive and anti feminist. Its just the way my life has turned out.

Would I have chosen a different life if I could? yes but that didn’t work out - do I regret it? no, absolutely not.

HoskinsChoice · 23/10/2025 23:09

I can't think of anything worse than having no purpose and making no contribution to society or the tax system. This would really screw me over mentally. I can understand winding down hours a little but no work at all would kill me.

ShesTheAlbatross · 23/10/2025 23:06

My mother. She’s 59.
She retired last year because my dad hit retirement age so they retired together. They sold their very expensive house in the SE, bought somewhere far cheaper in the countryside, and now live a life of leisure. They are mainly on holiday.

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