What the hell should I do with my life?

[Itsabigworld]

Hello Mumsnetters. I'm really hoping someone can give me some divine inspiration. I live alone and am single. One adult child, very settled and happy. I'm 55. No relatives and few friends. I have 40k in Premium Bonds and a reasonable pension, and I earn money on an ad hoc basis when the work I do is available ( it lurches from feast to famine.) Some months are better than others money wise but usually I get by. The thing is I'm bored out of my brains and desperate for a new life. I have no ties here ( apart from adult son but he's fine) and only rent so not tied to a mortgage. After giving my landlord 2 months notice I could go anywhere in the world.. but what would I do? £40k is a decent chunk of change but it certainly won't last forever especially the way things are going! If I drained that money travelling the world or starting a new business I'd have nothing to fall back on. I'm in such a rut. Every day is bloody Groundhog Day and I'm sick of it. There's a whole world out there and I want to grab it in both hands and see where life takes me. But I'm drawing a complete blank as to what to do or where to go. I have a degree but think mid 50's is too old to start thinking of retraining at the bottom of the ladder. What would any of you do in my position?

I read an article today in the New York Times about older people who are going into the hospitality industry purely for the travel/ hotel perks. Employers are snapping them up even for a few shifts a week as it's mutually beneficial- proven work ethic in return for great perks if low wages.

I think finding a regular income and getting a house would be my top priority. You’ve only got 15 years till retirement, you need to start paying off a house for you to live in.

Sorry I’ve just re-read my post and I sound like an absolute bore.

I often tell DH we should both work on a cruise ship for a bit when we’re older.

@AceSpades54321 no not a bore... it's great to have all perspectives and I agree with you.. I really do think I need that security behind me and it pisses me off I'm currently paying off someone else's mortgage! I have a lot of figuring out to do...

Honestly? I’d count my blessings. You are in such an enviable position compared to some.

I’d do new stuff in my life now, where I am. Build a new life there. Save as much as possible, and do all the travel stuff when I retire.

@MaryBlighthouse oh I know how lucky I am believe me. I've ended up with this money through very unpleasant and difficult circumstances so am wanting to do something new and exciting for myself after putting everybody else first for many many years. I don't want life to just pass me by.
Thanks to all the posters who've shown such wonderful positivity and encouragement. I feel newly motivated!!

I'm in a similar situation and musing my options!!! Thanks for posting

Place marking!

Lucky you, I would definitely do the campervan thing if it was me. You're in a very enviable position.. I'll be following this with interest.

Similar position here, this is something that I have been thinking about a lot. Try ‘how to retire happy, wild and free’ by Erne Zelinski (covers working part time, not just full retirement). You say you have few friends, if you’re happy like that, great, if not then that could be an area to concentrate on. If you spend some of the money on a learning a new hobby (or 6) then you can find yourself with a better social life too. Try things a bit out of your comfort zone. Holidays and solo travel can be short term fixes and you will eventually come home to the same problem. So find a course and/or a club nearby where you live (tennis, sailing, knitting, jewellery making, life drawing, salsa dancing, amateur dramatics, become a magistrate, whatever you fancy) and go as a beginner. There will be other beginners there too and they will often be keen to practice their new hobby after the course ends with others on the course. New friends and interests will follow. Not everything will work out (you might not like the activity or the people or the group dynamic) but some should stick. I would stress do this locally, no good going somewhere to learn a new skill only to find you never see anyone again from your course.
I would also try stuff that is Covid/winter on my own friendly (I have been learning an instrument for about a year now) so you have resources to fall back on if you are home alone. Good luck!

Thanks so much @Whatevergetsyouthroughthenight for such a thoughtful response. The friends thing is something I could start a whole other thread on to be honest. But I do like your idea of starting a new hobby or activity.. something I'd really enjoy.. and any friends that came out of it would be a bonus. I've ordered the book too!

I have a degree but think mid 50's is too old to start thinking of retraining

Countless people would disagree with you … In my experience a new qualification / career in mid-life opens up the world in all sorts of unanticipated ways - socially and professionally.

The Mature Study and Retraining board is currently full of people battling with dissertation deadlines - but it’s worth a browse just to see how many people are taking that leap. (You don’t have to study Healthcare or Teaching! Follow your interests but look for the most obscure, niche area of study, possibly at a specialist institution - this is where there is the most fun to be had.)

www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

Those Wild Women trips look incredible.

Good luck OP. Live your wild and beautiful life!

Thanks for the tip @MuddlerInLaw I'll check it out 👍

Yes I'd have a 10 day adventure to break the routine before just upping sticks to walk off into the sunset.

You can have a good adventure with £1k.