Feel so stressed about money, elderly parents, the future

[Sooostress]

I feel like almost overnight I have gone from feeling ok about my life to feeling so stressed I could scream. I wonder if anyone else can relate.

i am 52. Spent nearly two decades as a lone parent. Not by choice. In a high earning profession but my career and ability to earn really suffered as I was not able to do the 12 hour days often required.

all of this means that I currently earn a good income but have very little in my pension pot (£90k).

I used to think I would be happy to work until my late 60s but now understand why people in my profession retire in their late 50s - because once you hit a certain age it’s just not possible to attend all day meetings and then stay up until 2 am drafting reports, etc.

My DC also has some mild SEN which means a continued level of support and my parents will soon need help.

I am seeing myself having no money to live on while juggling commitments to DC and my parents.

I think it's quite normal to feel like this. It's related to hormones unfortunately in most cases. Good old peri

Are there other roles in your profession that are less intense/ could be part time? Have your parents planned for their futures?
And yes- think about consulting a doc re perimenopause.

I am sure you are right and it is partly hormonal.

my parents have made plans but I am am only child and can’t just leave them to it in the future,

I think comparing myself to other people doesn’t help and I need to stay off the mumsnet retirement threads!!

Have a look at rebel finance school- I found it really helpful for working out my path to retiring ever. It's a free course.