'Fuck it attitude' to everything work-related since hitting 50...

[YankeeDoodleWhat]

That's it. I can't say this in real life but since hitting 50 I just don't seem to care about work-related 'stuff'.

I do my job and am in a very senior role but I've lost all attachment to it. I'm more shocked than anyone as I used to love work and everything surrounding it. Now, I'm annoyed if I have to work an evening or weekend.

Not sure why I've posted, just a rant as I can't say this out loud in the real world 🙂

If anyone's been here and come through, please let me know how. I can't afford to retire or do fewer hours.

I’m 58 and feel the same. Senior role, challenging time gor the organisation but I just can’t give a rats-arse. I’m done, but can’t afford to retire. Need to find my work mojo again but I couldn’t admit to feelings like these ever at work.

Maybe we can just use this thread to offload and try and reenergise? Or just moan to each other 🤣

This happened to me at 37

Senior leader in schools and killing myself with hours and work that I have little investment in. I want the kids to do well. I'm doing all the stuff I need to do. But I just don't really give a shit about most of it.
It used to define me. Loved my job.
Now... fuck it.

I'm 46 but have felt like this since hitting peri about a year ago. I'm good at my job and still enjoy working but I just can't abide the politics and shit. My mouth just opens these days and I say what I think. I hope I don't get fired as I still need to work another 15 years or so!!

Yes!

I have always loved my work and career.The sense of achievement, the status, the social contact, the purpose. As I turned 50n I was in a senior position that I have enjoyed, that had kept me awake at night, in a good way. All of a sudden I didn't care. Found myself wasting whole days doing next to nothing and getting away with it

I thought I was bored in the job and got a new one. More status, more pay, more responsibility and if anything I care even less. I'm waiting for the day they realise I've done nothing for the last 6 months!

I do think with experience, jobs we used to find challenging become easier, just because we are better at knowing what is important though.

Yep.
I need to stop saying if I win the lottery I won’t be in tomorrow.
I’m trying to put a brave face on it but I’m only slogging my guts out because I can’t afford to retire.

Me!

44, am peri as well, senior role in banking. Just cannot be bothered, feels like I'm going through the motions and have about another 20 years left of work still in me so I'd better find my mojo soon!

I don't know if its similar but the last few years I've really tried hard to stay in my lane so to speak, work wise.
Previously I was too invested in some aspects that really weren't relevant to my role. I'd try to help people do their jobs and now I just focus on mine.
Often I'd be delegated things just because I was visible and enthusiastic.
Also I've observed over the years , people are rarely noticed for doing less . I'm one of those people now.

Same here. Then at 57 I got the solution. Voluntary redundancy. Problem solved.

Yeah but 49. But if you do the basics and get paid then what’s not to love?

why do you need to lurve your job ? Do enough to make yourself feel proud for your own self esteem and fuck the rest of it off.

Yep same!

Same here ! Took early part retirement at 59 .. the financial hit was worth every penny .. but even 3 days is way too much .. I used to be sooooo invested but lost it when my parents died within 8 days of each other last year and now just think 'life is short and it's not like you get another chance ' .

. taking a 6 month sabbatical... in 6 working days time and literally counting the minutes until I become of one of the 'economically inactive ' ..

I so agree OP .

I used to really sweat the small stuff but now I'm so laid back . I'm very efficient but definitely don't care like I used to . I think it comes from working with much younger colleagues who are all about work life balance and if you don't pay me it doesn't get done . A healthier outlook I think because when the axe swings it swings and does t care how hard you've worked

Men don’t care about this shit. They do the needful for money and status.

Do we need to care about our jobs? Do we need to be emotionally attached? I say if you're doing the job and doing it well then use your emotional energy and headspace on other things. Work shouldn't define life.

I call bullshit. We do care and it gets us the same way too.

Men do care. I've worked with far more men who care too much about work than I have women.

I feel like this since having kids in my 30's.

57 here senior and specialist nurse and while I still offer the very best of me I just don’t have the same drive. I’m much more outspoken, dance to my own beat and frequently say well I’m happy if they sack me.
looking at retire and return but got kids of divorce debt left along with two dependent children.
I watch younger staff get all hot and bothered about office politics and I’m like, yup don’t care.
Just to add I still love my wee patient group

I still enjoy my job - 2 days a week - but that's it. I'm 56 and have taken a 25% draw down on my pension. I decided I'd rather have the money now, than in 11 years time when I may not have my health. The retirement age of 67 is far too old to risk not enjoying my life while I'm still healthy and mobile. I'm not bothered if I have to stay in watching TV when I'm in my 80's.

I’m 54 and feel the same. Used to be very invested in my job and since changing it cant find the will to care. I still work hard and do a good job but I’m just not invested in it. It’s comforting to know I’m not the only one that feels this way as it has been worrying me but i figured its just my age.

I wish i had realised a lot sooner that you still get paid whether you put a lot or little effort in and you still get made redundant whether or not you put a little or a lot of effort in. I am getting to the sod it stage, would have got there much earlier if I hadn't been such a people pleaser or worried people were annoyed with me or thought I wasn't good at my job. I'm really cross at myself and my dysfunctional childhood for that! Nearly 52.

Sort of. I changed jobs a year ago after turning 54 and it's really helped. But I am still too old and too experienced to care in the way I used to. Tbh I know I'm valuable up to a point, I have years of experience in a shortage skill (not THAT brilliant, just done it for a long time). I protect myself these days because no other bugger will.

Tbf I'm considering doing a Masters module next January so I can't be that disaffected.

I'm 38 and have felt like this for at least 10 years

At 55 I realised that the job I loved no longer existed ( if you see what I mean.)

It was all about stats, box ticking, policy following ( which is right but some policies were batshit.)

At 57 I realised I couldn't carry on. My husband even said that he didn't like the person that came home ( he'd previously retired.)

We number crunched and he suggested ( I was so relieved!) that I stop working as we'd be ok financially.

Three years on , I'm happy , he's happy and we're enjoying our retirement.