If you’re a 50 year old woman ...

[Angelicabean]

What is your day to day life like? What routines/interests do you have? How do you spend your time? I know the saying is comparison is the thief of joy but I’m just interested really!

Exactly 50.
Work 30 hours per week for a charity (just been furloughed but ok about it).
When not working, I walk, go shopping, have coffee and other fairly standard things.
I'm single but happily so but have one adult child at home which is nice.
I think that how you feel about your life depends on what you've been through before.
I've had a fairly rough time over the years so mundane and uneventful suit me just fine!

I’m 59, wfh in an extremely busy job which literally involves being on Teams calls from 8-6 or 7. I run a team and projects based all over the world and my normal life used to involve living in a different country, with loads of travel. Now I walk downstairs. My husband also has a busy job, wfh too. We have a daughter working in London who’s here for lockdown - also wfh! we hardly see each other all day but cook and eat together in the evening.
I am so unfit! I did couch to 5k in first lockdown but stopped over the summer and can’t shift my lardy arse to go out in the dark. Just started knitting lessons with some friends (now virtual) but no other hobbies except cooking which I love, eating with friends and Netflix. No time!

Nearly 53,
TA in special school, but as of today I am going part time (3 days) yay!
Work days.. get up, feed dog go to work, come home , sort the debris of 3 adult kids at home, walk dog if not a dog walker day (son takes her out in the mornings make tea, play guitar for an hour or so, stay up too late, repeat.
Non work days.. get up at 8.30, long dog walk, late breakfast, clean, life admin (have autistic adult son dependent on us) Usually speak to one of our not at home children as one's in Australia, and the other at the other end of the UK so not seen for ages. More guitar time.
Currently preparing for DD2 and her dh to move into their own home so it's chaos here (they live with us) and I'm going to be a Granny in Spring so will be baby care on the days I'm not working.
I manage to meet up with a dog walking friend once or twice a week and that's it for my social life, but I'm very content, dh is not particularly social either and works long hours so we just flop and chill in the evenings.

@Aone

Why do you ask, OP? Why are you othering women over the age of 50?

That's an odd comment in a friendly thread. I don't feel othered. But I do feel part of this group of women.

Like many of you, I get up with school child, then have an hour or two catching up with domestics, feeding multiple pets, drinking lots of coffee.
Working from home at the moment, might meet a friend for a walk, to the allotment, do some gardening to break up the day.
Sometimes I cook, usually it's DH. Clear up, do some ironing/watch TV with DD.
Occasionally zoom with friends, read, walk dog, bed.
I also have a voluntary role with kids that has just been paused for lockdown.
I live in a small village and see people I know most days so it doesn't feel lonely. But I miss seeing friends and colleagues and going to the cinema.

I work, but not in a permanent role. Ad-hoc and sessional work only. I also volunteer. I lost my last job because of long-term ill health and I havent recovered.

Mid 50's SAHM. From being completely (almost) alone in the house, as DH worked abroad, and DD1 had left home, this year have been looking after DH now exclusively working from home, DD1 who relocated out of London back home, and DD2 who is still at school but having a stressful time being in Year 13.

I do 100% of all shopping, cleaning, cooking, washing etc etc etc. Beginning to get a bit fed up, and longing for my old life of leisure and pleasing myself!

I walk quite a lot, and do a lot of gardening, keeps me sane. I also spend a good 2 hours a day fielding phone calls from both DM and MIL, elderly and infirm, and needing support.

Now I need to organise xmas, I buy all present to and from everyone, inc. from DM and MIL to everyone else, and from DH to myself (yes I know, but it saves me having to return stuff).

Am currently on MN looking out onto a field of sheep in a beautiful foggy/almost sunny morning.

50 next year wfh 4 days a week, 2 teenagers at home one doing GCSE this year one at 6th form. Other than work/kids etc I go horse riding once a week (started 7 years ago love it), run once a week, swim once a week, dog walk other days, got a big garden so get that done when weather is good. In normal times I go out with work mates who are quite a young team and get good and drunk in the city. Today we booked a concert next October for something to look forward to. I’ve booked a starter sewing course in January something I’ve always wanted to do. Life’s too short to not try things. My husband is tetraplegic and in a wheelchair so I have part caring duties as well so my interests are really important to me.

Nearer to 60. Usual stuff ie housework. Dog walking. I am a volunteer litter picker for the council so do about 30-45 minutes a day litter picking. I also volunteer in a prison - google Independent Monitoring Board.

I read a lot. Visit friends (before COVID 19). Enjoy life now I’m not working.

I am early fifties a childminder and grandmother. My children are adults and I have had an empty house for five years. I keep very busy working with three toddlers every day (one being My DGC) My evenings are very chilled at the moment as I don't have a social life due to covid but I do FaceTime my friends. I also power walk after work most days.

Weekends are spent shopping and clean ing for my elderly parents, but I do enjoy reading and DH and I enjoy watching Netflix films and boxsets.

I’ve just turned 49. 4 DC aged 23, 18, 18 and 10. I’m a SAHM due to one of my twins having a disability which has meant he has been in and out of education since age 12 (ASD/LD). He’s been too vulnerable to spend prolonged periods alone and there has been behaviour issues and MH problems but he’s slowly calming down and getting more independent now.

I haven’t worked now for over 5 years which only dawned on me recently as being stuck at home with DC over lockdown made it clear that I REALLY need to get back to work in the near future .

Other than household/DC stuff, when gyms are open, I go 6 days a week and have transformed from very fat and very unfit to the best shape and fittest I’ve been for 24 years so time well spent. I also cycle everywhere and was doing 10km walks during lockdown which I’ve just restarted today, unfortunately as I much prefer the gym!

DH and I started to go out quite a bit, to see friends, to the pub/out for dinner/cinema etc just before lockdown started which has been nice as we didn’t do much of that before. We even managed a long weekend away last month on our own which we will do more of after CV now DD has shown she can handle being in charge!

I’m in the process of finishing writing a book which I’m going to self publish before Christmas. I don’t care if it doesn’t sell, it’s the achievement that matters! Hope to find some sort of job by the end of next year as youngest will be at secondary school by then and DS2 seems to be finally settling into college now and will hopefully transition to supported employment afterwards.

Sahm/carer. Spend half my life cleaning up piss. Try to keep as fit and active as knackered joints allow. Play pokemon go. Knit, sew, bake and cook a lot of proper curries. Sleep badly and drink more than I should.

I turned 50 this year.
I work from home full time, and have done for years. I am a scientist (office based obv, I don't have a lab at home!).
I have one adult son who lives away from home and 1 son who has just started at secondary school.
I am a single parent and DS2 rarely sees his Dad.

My work is very flexible so I am able to fit my non-work things in pretty well. At the moment those are exercise (running, cycling and swimming and bootcamp/classes when they're available).
I volunteer once a week as part of our village group helping the vulnerable (collecting prescriptions etc).
I also have some caring responsibilities for my (ex) FIL who has Parkinsons disease.

DS2 plays football so training and matches takes up some time. The parents (and kids) are a great bunch so it's something I enjoy.

I actually don't get much down time in the week, as I like to spend time with DS2 before he goes to bed, thus most of the housework/admin has to be done after 9pm, but I do listen to audibles or the radio while doing housework.

Right now I'm being a hedgehog and have retreated from whatsapp groups and stuff. It comes and goes.

I am under the care of the eating disorder service so working on recovery is mentally draining.

Up at 6.30. Get 7.40 train into work. Office job. Pay ain't great but is no stress. Home by 5.45.
1 adult dd who is temp with us. A 12 year old in year 8.
Evenings used to be rock choir, yoga, Zumba, book club. Will be again I hope. Out a few times each month for meals in the evening.

I’m 49 but still have two children at primary school plus another at seniors so on work days I drop them at breakfast club whilst DD gets the bus. Then 20min drive to work. Super busy all day then pick the boys up from ASC which thankfully is still on at the moment. My job is connected to social services and education so I still need to go in even during lockdown.
DH is working from home at the moment making everything much easier as he picks DD up meaning she doesn’t need to wait for a bus and we’re all home by 5.30. I only work 3days a week so when I’m working DH also prepares dinner and I do the other 2 weekdays. On my 2 days at home I’m tidying and putting on washing etc; usual dull but essential stuff. Weekly shop comes on a Friday evening. In 6mths I’ll be 50yrs and I somehow thought, many years ago, that at 50+, life starts to be easier as kids are older or even left home already. Now I’m there I can’t comprehend what that might be like as my youngest DS only turns 8 in January so a long way to go.

49. 5 dc at home and a dh. Work pt self employed out of the home. Ddogs to walk every morning before work. Hobbies include home decorating. Doing up old furniture - much half arsed atm though! No friends or family except the dc. No time to be lonely tbh.

I'm 50, wfh full time - busy job but not too stressful.

DS15 in Y11 and an older DD who lives nearby. DH works FT outside the home - local and home by 5.30.

I honestly feel a bit lost at the moment. Ihad a really good period from April to August, ate much better, got into a good exercise routine and felt great.

Have taken a dive in the last month or so. I'm often bored when I'm not working. I read a lot but wish I could find other things to occupy my time as well. With just 3 of us at home it doesn't take much for DH and I to keep on top of chores/laundry etc. Some days I feel exhausted as soon as I open my eyes in the morning. I have bouts of insomnia. I am a bit adrift and trying not to let lockdown make it worse.

Sorry - bit negative - I am feeling a bit meh today!

50 - work full time in fairly physical job that i hope to qualify in this year after retraining at 47! I do 10 hour days on my feet and im knackered. Have a 15yo dd who pretty much sorts herself out.

Im more active now than i was ten years ago

@Aone

Why do you ask, OP? Why are you othering women over the age of 50?

Assuming this is a joke?

I love this thread and find it fascinating. I am late 40s, three DC, I wake up at 6am, let the dog out, get a load of washing on, do breakfast and see two of the DC off to school and drive the third one.

When I get back I start work - I work full-time and usually in an office, which I really miss right now, as I have lots of good friends there.

I work all day, stopping to walk the dog or make a cheese sarnie for lunch, then when the children come home spend time with them, do a thousand more loads of washing, and cook supper.

Early bed as soon as the DC go to bed - lights out 10.30pm after reading my kindle (DH snores from about 9.30pm so I turn the light out for him).

53. Working from home since March, DC's at school and college. I go to the gym about 3 times a week, I love to walk but getting motivation for it seems to be hard at the moment. I am also doing up our house, we've been here 20 years but didn't do an awful lot to it for the first 18 years, just made it comfortable and presentable for having children. I'm now spending some time and money on it. I watch some TV with the family at night but I like to read too.

49, empty nester, moved far from sons and other family. Not working at the moment but have two volunteering roles. I would normally meet with friends for walks, coffee, meals out, theatre, cinema, go to antique markets and shops, visit local touristy places, explore the new area where I live, knit, sew, do other crafty things, cook new recipes, look after my elderly neighbour, take classes in whatever interested me, gardening, walk my dog, read a lot. As of yesterday I mostly eat and drink wine!!

I'm 59 and have just taken the brave (or foolish decision) to leave a demanding full time job, into a completely new sector. Now working three days a week, at home in a very relaxed role.

No children at home. Always keep a tidy house. Up at 6.30am and by the time I'm ready to start work at 8.30am I've done all the household stuff and dinner is usually prepared. Work until 4pm, then the day is mine.

I try to walk to see DM most days, volunteer for a local community group, babysit the GC when covid restrictions allow and do DH's admin for his business. Most extra activities centre around food, like a walk with lunch or catching up with friends and ex-colleagues.

During lockdown I've struggled to not fall asleep on the sofa by 8pm!

Not sure if it's age catching up on me, or a reflection of the more relaxed lifestyle.

Get up go to work, come home, have my food, get in my pjs, and tiktok (watching content) and watching stuff on Netflix and Sky, I don't have a TV just a Mac. After work today Im going shopping in the Range to pick up some household stuff. Live alone, my dog died in April.

I'm mid fifties, I currently wfh home in a really demanding job. I usually start just before 8am, finish around 7pm ish in the evening. I feel I am maxxed out all the time but I love it. I am also learning a pretty difficult language so do a class via zoom once a week and often have home to do. I sometimes take a class in something that interests me - again on line now. I enjoy housework, read a lot, do yoga (apart from now due to lockdown as group isn't running). I live with DP of 25+ years and both DS are at uni. Have to go and help mum and dad too which is a round trip of a few hours at weekends. Sometimes go to visit one or other DS at uni town (not in lockdown obviously). I feel very busy all the time and enjoy life. We're not big into going out, DP is pretty quiet but wonderful, we enjoy watching TV together, going for the odd cake/coffee, enjoy a takeaway once a week. Simple stuff but feel happy!

Turned 50 this year.
I work full time between 40-60 hours per week.
Very busy, stressful & very full on job.
2 kids, teenager and a 7 year old.
So as often as I can I do the school run morning and afternoon.
Clean, laundry, food shop, meal plan, cook.
After school hobbies so football training & matches twice a week, swimming lessons, after school club.
I’m busy all the time. But that’s the price for having a baby late on in life,

I am 50. Very happily married and have 2 DCs in sixth form. I work 2.5 days a week in a job I really enjoy. Pre Covid, my average week would be spent reading a lot (get through 2-3 books a week). Tapestry. Jigsaws. Eating out at least twice with DH. Meeting various girlfriends for coffee. Getting together with family (am very close to my cousin and Auntie). Sitting at the table, after dinner, with DCs and DH and chatting and putting the world to rights. Getting sucked into watching Grey's Anatomy with DD (it's so addictive). Browsing Instagram. I love my life and am very content x