I want to give up work but cage afford to

[howaboutthistime]

Just feeling sad about going back to work.

I've worked for nearly 40 years (just 6 months off for maternity leave) and a bit too young for my state pension.

I used to like my job until we got a new boss now I'm really dreading going into work.

I hate having to get up early and I hate not being free to do what I want, when I want.

Can't really explain it. I wish I could stop working but I can't afford to. It wouldn't even help if I got another job because I just don't want to work anymore!

Anyone else feel like this, how do you snap out of it?

I think where you work has a massive affect on how you view your job.
I love working and im 57.
Downsized from 12 hour days to 8 last year.
This place isn't so fun and it dragged me down for a while.
Im living very frugally so if i ever have to give up i have a good back up stash.
Started saving yrs ago which i think helps knowing i could bail.
It is harder to find work as you age but it maybe worth looking Op.
Shame to be fed up 5 days a week.

I'm the same. Was managing ok until I got a new boss 6 months ago but now utterly exhausted and desperate to leave if not retire. However I've applied for dozens of jobs and at 62 never even get an interview

I feel like this. So does everyone I know. Like you just want to dive under the duvet, and for the world to fxxk off. That's so sad isn't it, that so many of us feel that way.

You say a new job won't help but are you sure it wouldn't?

I’m mid-40s and I’m planning to semi-retire in my mid-50s. My last kid will move out in about 9 months if everything goes to plan. When that happens I will downsize and put the money I get from that into my private pension. In 10 years time that will be enough for me to live comfortably on for 25 years if I work 1-2 days a week until the state pension kicks in.

could you do something similar?

Oh me too, 47 this year and planning to go at 60 or at least have the option to go very part time. I work full time over 3 long days now though so have lots of down time and that is the only thing that keeps me going, I still hate it when work days roll around 😭

Same. I tried changing jobs but it didn't help. I get so bored at work. I never get bored at home. I've got another twenty years of this :(

I love my boss but if I didn't I'd feel similar.

I’m also looking at changing career for a change but at 47 it’s not that easy (lack of confidence despite being a generally confident person!)

My work is ridiculously niche so not sure what to do. For some people doing the same career 45 years can be challenging.
(I work in performing arts)

I'm not sure I'll be welcome but I'm retiring in a few months at 48 😊

I've been feeling the same as everyone on this thread for a few years now so decided to bite the bullet, get planning and go.

I appreciate I'm in a lucky position. DH and I both have pensions that we're receiving already ( EX Mil), but there are a few things we've done that might be useful for others.

I did have a workplace pension from my corporate career but was absolutely fed up with its dismal performance, so I transferred it into a SIPP and it has grown by >50% in the last 12 months. I now manage my own investments and buy carefully selected stocks for much better returns. It outperforms the loss of contributions from the employer significantly.

We own a house outright which is small but suits us.

We have an additional investment portfolio that is doing well and will be converted into a dividend portfolio as soon as its reached its target. The majority of it is in investment ISAs so its tax free.

For me, I just got so fed up with the long road ahead of working I just grabbed the bull by the horns and thought I can make my money work better for me. I can only comment for me but its definitely worked. I'm much more savvy with money now, a skill I'll take forward into retirement and its also been something I've enjoyed researching and planning.

My suggestion is if you're feeling fed up do a complete MOT of your finances and really check how everything is performing. Then start looking into how it could be improved on.

I fell the same and am 50 but unfortunately I'll be slogging away till I'm late 60s unless I inherit enough to pay off the mortgage and even then I'd only afford to reduce hours not quit.

It sucks.

That's my plan in the next 2 years I 48 and planning on quitting full time and taking seasonal and retail roles to suit, assuming I can get positions!

I fancy delivery driving, retail, dog and animal care and a few others along with volunteer work.

I'd like to be busy and earn but on my terms, I'll just keep working and not retire as such just keep my brain busy and smaller income streams.

I also think with AI my own industry is screwed so I'd like to get a bigger variety of skills to see me through.

I do think a change of job could really help. I'm a master of heading sideways away from people I've identified are likely to be managing me in the future and I REALLY don't want them to. Look for a project that gets you working for someone else.

I'm NHS and can retire and get most of my pension penalty free and lump sum at 55 and I absolutely will. I think about it every day.

Three years to go!

Yep, know the feeling although at this time of year it feels worse as still dark when you get up!
There's no way I could retire, I'm looking for a new job but being stuck in retail for 30 years and I'm still on just above min wage( have been higher up but tbh it's not much more pay for a lot more work and circumstances meant I've dropped back to being normal staff.
Also didn't really think about a pension when I was younger then was a single parent on low wage so may as well not have a private pension!
Lottery win it is!😂

@DanaBarrettsKitchen

What did you invest in please.

I also invest and mine are doing well but I am nosey. I do vanguard and need a global fund I must do that soon

Same here. I’m staring down the barrel of another two decades of work before I can retire. I was very depressed about it for most of last year. I have tried to adopt a different mindset for the New Year and taken up what Americans call ‘quiet quitting’ but is really just putting firm boundaries in place, only work the hours I’m paid to and doing the job I’m paid to do. I’m not doing any extra projects, working late etc. This mentally gives me more headspace.

My only hope is inheritance. It sounds awful but the reality is when my surviving parent dies I might be in with a chance of paying off my mortgage and retiring early.

I feel exactly the same. 51 this year and have no motivation to work anymore.

Feel life is slowly ebbing by. I think you hit a certain age and just want time to yourself.

I have spent so long working, raising my dc and now helping to care for elderly parents and it hit me some time ago with this ‘what about me’ feeling?

I don’t want to be a slave to the working world anymore. I want to rise in the morning at a time which suits my body better and I want a slower pace of life but more than anything I just want to potter, I’ve hit that age where pottering is becoming very appealing to me (maybe it’s a menopause thing!).

I so wish I had the money to do this.

I can relate to everything on this thread but everything turned around for me when my employer offered a new role said I could wfh . The difference in my wellbeing not having to commute is immeasurable . Nothing more soul destroying than standing on a cold dark wet platform at 6.30am heading towards a job you hate .
Behind the scenes I also got all my ducks in a row financially so if I get to the point I hate work I can now leave .
@DanaBarrettsKitchen I need to think about moving my investments away from being managed but lack confidence to self manage . My ISA is with Vanguard and am thinking of making moving my SIPP.

I invest in individual shares rather than funds. More risk but greater reward.

I'm focusing on biotech and mining for 2024/25 and then will review for 2026.

@DanaBarrettsKitchen thank you.

The number one reason people leave a job is not getting on with their boss.

Move jobs. You may find one with a nicer boss.

I agree .
Having a bad boss impacts your whole enjoyment of a job .

Get a different job