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Original poster

Not as career driven over 50?

14 replies

sheepdreams · 07/01/2021 23:03

A question for those over 50 really. I have also been career orientated juggling family commitments and career. Now hurtling towards mid 50,s I feel I am done with the excessive working hours, competition, and unrealistic expectations. Or.... I wonder is this a normal part of ageing or me becoming lazy. I have always been so motivated. Would love to hear of others experiences.

OP posts:

MonkeysandParrots · 07/01/2021 23:06

Snap. Same age bracket, also done with the corporate bullshit and politics. Am currently planning my escape!

LarkDescending · 07/01/2021 23:16

Totally. I am so over it all.

trixiebelden77 · 07/01/2021 23:17

I’m not 50 but I don’t think it’s necessarily a normal part of ageing - most amazingly successful people seem to be hitting their stride in their 50s.

Might be a normal part of dealing with bullshit for a long time though.

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Peckhampalace · 07/01/2021 23:22

I'm with you, same age bracket. DH, who is older has been laughing at me for a couple of years as he went through it too.
Escape plans well formed, 7 paydays left.

LizB62A · 07/01/2021 23:24

Same - by the time I was in my late 40s I'd figured out I didn't want a career any more, just a job that I enjoyed doing, that I could do well, and that I was paid fairly for.

The difficult bit was persuading my manager that I didn't want to progress any further....

Egghead68 · 07/01/2021 23:25

Snap. I CBA.

Dilbertian · 07/01/2021 23:27

Absolutely. I went back to work in my late 40s, after many years as a SAHM. It was a completely different role to my previous career, where I had advanced every few years. I very soon found that I loved the job but all I wanted was to do my best in this job. I have absolutely no desire to make a career out of it.

Definitely I have less energy than in, say, my 30s, and I find studying harder, too. But I'm just not driven by career any more. My focus is on my family and on enjoying my life. I'm very committed to my role, but have rejected every offer of advancement. I genuinely just want to enjoy what we have. Advancement would lead to greater stress, and I don't need that.

I'm happy.

DramaAlpaca · 07/01/2021 23:31

Yes. Same age and just starting to feel that way. Been there, done that, seen it all before and not sure how much longer I'll be able to keep myself motivated. I do like my job, I've worked hard to get there and I'm good at it, it's just not exciting me any more.

Mumski45 · 07/01/2021 23:35

I do a job I am way over qualified for because I enjoy it and it doesn't stress me out. I had a high flying career before I had kids with DH but now it just doesn't seem so important to me. It helps that DH has a good job that he enjoys (most of the time) and we are financially secure so I don't have pressure to keep going for promotions just to survive.

thegcatsmother · 07/01/2021 23:37

Starting a new job in 10 days time after 13 years abroad and a year back in UK not working. Will be 55 when I start.

I was a secondary school teacher before moving abroad. I kept my hand in with GCSE examining, but don't have any desire to go back to the slog of teaching. I am going to be a civil servant, do my 9-5, then leave it all at the office door. A fair days work for a fair days pay, then home.

CrotchetyQuaver · 07/01/2021 23:48

Absolutely! I'm too old for all that shit and I'm happy to say that out loud to whoever happens to be in earshot.

mdh2020 · 08/01/2021 00:05

I got a new job at 50 and my career took on a new lease of life My fifties were my best years career wise. I only retired at 60 because I got a new boss and I didn’t like the way things were changing.

SoupnSalads · 08/01/2021 00:18

I have always had in mind the next level and never thought beyond that. Until I get to the next level, settle then start to think about the next level after that.

Then I was dx with a progressive condition and bam like that I pretty much dropped the idea I had played with about getting to the highest level in my small area of work. In a way I feel like I should or could have felt more disappointed about this, after all I never wanted this condition, but it has been an easy idea to give up. For my next role I took a sideways step and looked for factors that support my well-being (negotiated some WFH - oh the irony - and a less complex easier area to work in. The higher salary encouraged me to take the leap as I can spend time getting my personal finances more in order with a view that I may want or need to go part time if/when it becomes too much. So I guess I have had to think about a lot of things most people in their 30s don't have to, but I am grateful to have options. Sometimes as well time decides for you if that makes sense. I am insanely busy at work that I barely have time to reflect and seem to be expanding the team but at the same time my body will just let me know when its enough.

caringcarer · 08/01/2021 00:35

I felt this way and took early retirement from teaching when I was 56. I am certain my loss of drive and energy was part of the menopause. Oddly now at 59 I have more energy again. DH teases me and says I would do anything to get out of the classroom. Actually though since at home my health is far better. I have only had one cold in almost 3 years. I have managed to lose a little weight. Still have more to lose.

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