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Original poster

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

289 replies

YankeeDoodleWhat · 13/03/2024 17:40

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.

OP posts:
EdgarsTale · 13/03/2024 18:31

This started for me about 45. I’ve gone part time & am much happier. Am planning an early retirement too.

onetwonetoo · 13/03/2024 18:37

40 and couldn't give a shiny shit anymore.

I'm hoping to retrain and do something for myself!

ZoeyBartlett · 13/03/2024 18:38
  1. Still care! I wish I could stop. But planning to leave at end of the year and have a gap year (feels too soon to say retirement). Hoping I'll stop caring then!
fiskalita · 13/03/2024 18:39

I'm a bit like this but with a slightly different take on it. I am 48 and don't really care about my job or my workplace but am v senior and to be honest I think it's made me better at the job.

I make much more strategic decisions, because I'm much less invested. I'm a better manager. I have a much better work life balance. When I cared more I was less effective I think.

I don't want to retire I don't think. But voluntary redundancy in 5 years or so would be rather good....

fishfingersandtoes · 13/03/2024 18:44

I've only ever cared about certain aspects of my job (i.e. what affects students and my colleagues) there's a shit ton of other completely meaningless rubbish in the job. Maybe your job is actually meaningless OP?

coldcallerbaiter · 13/03/2024 18:45

I have always seen work as what it is, a waste of my day and a way to earn money.

I liked the idea of a career when I did my degree, but once I started working, the novelty wore off.
I honestly think part time is the only way for most people to work and be not resentful.

JoJothegerbil · 13/03/2024 18:48

I'm nearly 52 and feel the same. I go through the motions, but I just can't be arsed anymore. I'm totally disinterested in managing people now. If I could afford to step down into a more mundane job I think I would.

Doyouthinktheyknow · 13/03/2024 18:49

I’m nearly 50 and completely relate to this.

I’m more senior than I want to be which really isn’t saying much, I’m not hugely senior but I do have quite a lot of responsibilities. I feel a bit trapped currently but I just can’t bring myself to care as much as I used to.

It’s made me more vocal and less passive which is a positive thing but I spend too much of my time angry with everyone and everything. For good reason I think but it’s not healthy and it’s not things I have control over.

I work really hard and I know I do a good job, I just don’t care as much as I should. 2 years and I plan to scale back and reduce my level of responsibility. I can’t wait.

TisTheDarnSeason · 13/03/2024 18:54

Yes, same. Early 50s and my work mojo has completely gone. I do what is required of me and no more, I simply don't have the energy or inclination to do otherwise.

I know my job well enough to prioritise and time manage really well, and I never ever let anyone down wrt deadlines etc. I'm pleasant and engaged with my colleagues. But I simply don't 'go the extra mile' any longer, and I don't put my hand up for loads of new things all the time, like I used to.

Work is so far down my list of Important Life Things, these days. I'm really just there for the paycheck.

GirlFromMarsBars · 13/03/2024 18:56

Thank you for this post, it's comforting to know I'm not alone. I'm late 40s and have been feeling like this on and off for a few years, but something at work a few weeks ago really kicked off my feeling like this all the time.

Like a PP I've spent the past few weeks barely doing anything, I can't motivate myself to give a shit, it's all pointless and valueless at the end of the day. And yet people still think I'm doing a good job. I applied for a new job last week but I don't think that's the answer really.

I used to work 4 days a week and it's definitely worse since upping to full time hours but I'm now the breadwinner so need the full time wage.

It's nice to say this 'out loud' and know there are otters who feel the same

Sunnnybunny72 · 13/03/2024 19:00

Yes. Nurse. 52 years and out in 3 years. I think about it everyday.

Pancakee · 13/03/2024 19:03

52 and Senior manager in Banking here.
I can do my job in my sleep and actually do sleep a lot on wfh days
i have become a master bullshitter creating perceptions that I do more than I actually do.
I have worked hard enough and looooong hours to get to where I am so I don’t feel an ounce of guilt while I am napping and earning either.

Wednesdaysotherchild · 13/03/2024 19:05

I got this at 35!

Theeyeballsinthesky · 13/03/2024 19:13

Same OP! Just can’t feel strongly about work anymore whereas 10 years ago it was focus of my life. Have gone pt and love to give up completely but I know DH would love to give up too & doesn’t seem fair to do it until we both can

Wishahwas · 13/03/2024 19:25

Oh yes me too!!! I’m over 60. I wish I could just go. It’s so hard when I used to work all hours and be so invested. Wish I hadn’t. That would be my lesson to my younger self. Actually I kind of wish I cared more now as that would at least be more satisfying.

goingdownfighting · 13/03/2024 19:32

Yep 45! I've actually upped my hours so I can retire sooner. It's quite liberating actually, and I'm a lot less stressed about things. As long as you're not risking your job and affecting your mental health then carry on!

HellersK · 13/03/2024 19:37

Hello my people! Same here. Doing a lot of metal work on myself as follows

  • it's a way to make money and I need money. I work to live.
-there are worse places/ways to make money, i.e. trying to foster a sense of gratefulness -Reminding myself I'm in a good place, I'm good at the job and little phases me at this stage (such a change from an anxiety filled 20/30 something)
  • I go to work with 3 things to look forward to after the day - eg a nice treat/dinner/bath/tv programme to look forward to
-i pace my day in work - adequate breaks, fresh air, meet friends for lunch, shopping on my break, etc
  • I sometimes create a mad list and challenge myself to do it all within a certain time (sad but keeps me going)
  • I sign up for all the training available, including the boring stuff.
  • I write down stuff that bothers me (I have a person Gmail document that I open in work and bitch like crazy on) and it helps get things out of my system. Absolutely do not save to your work account!!
  • I plan nice things for the weekend and plan out all my leave for the year ahead so there's always something to look forward to

Just some tips that work for me!

TeenLifeMum · 13/03/2024 19:43

I used to care so much, but then they treated me like shit and all my perfect performance reports mean nothing. I go in, so some work, meet important deadlines, take lunch breaks, go home on time. I care so little but I do like the pay.

OrwellsRoses · 13/03/2024 19:49

41, hate my work now that my daughter is in nursery and my partner sees her more than I do now thanks to long hours and a long commute. I'm the higher earner so having to work my arse off to provide for everyone.

My mother had retired at my age thanks to our family wealth which was the work of generations. She married someone who was financially irresponsible and a bully and allowed him to break our family trusts. The money and the properties were meant so that my mother, myself and now my daughter would be able to dedicate ourselves to the arts and charity work. Sigh, I know I sound entitled but my granny and great granny would be horrified to see that my mother laid waste to the family fortune.

RunnyPaint · 13/03/2024 19:49

Happened to me in my 30s, but I think it was the result of a realisation that so much of what we were doing was either pointless or being done in a needlessly inefficient way (IT). It clashed with my conscientious nature and desire to something "meaningful". After returning to work after mat leave, I never really felt motivated in the workplace again. I think my attitude is sometimes mislabelled as "burn out", but it's more "there is no point to most of this".

KeyboardMash · 13/03/2024 19:51

I have felt like this about work ever since I've had to do it! I understand the necessity of doing it in order to afford things, but I resent every second of my life I have to waste doing it. I'd have loved to have found a job I could get invested in and care about but it's never happened.... I put in enough effort - just enough that I'm reasonably well respected and don't cause problems I'll have to mop up later, because anything less would cause more hassle than I'd save on effort in the first place. But I couldn't give a stuff about any of it and won't waste more headspace than I need to.

Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 13/03/2024 19:51

I got like this after dd was born anf realised there was more to life than work.

Naptimeagain · 13/03/2024 20:02

I got a new difficult boss last year, and at 56 I just don't care anymore. Counting down to early retirement at 60 - it's SO far away though. Work used to be energising, now every day is a slog. I'd happily give it up for a part time job in a book shop, but just can't afford to.

LuciferRising · 13/03/2024 20:11

Have a post in Menopause section about similar. Senior. High performer. Don't give a damn anymore. I'm in an amazing sector with great opportunity and I have no drive. My team member presented today to a working group. I should have, but been thinking, is it wrong to let others be the face, while I direct from behind. They'll get noticed. I won't. Does it matter?

DoodleMum12 · 13/03/2024 20:16

I’m 44 and nearly at this point. I have no drive to progress further in my career. I work in customer services, mostly from home . Already work part time and feel very lucky that I can. Life is too short and I need to give less shits. I’m good at my job and that should be enough…