Nee some direction in my life

[purplelass]

I've been a single mum for the last 3 years. My daughter is 14 and increasingly independent. I've got a lovely boyfriend who's there when I need him but understands that my girl comes first. My jobs OK, been there 7 years and know it inside out. I'm permanently skint as my ex pays next to no maintenance but we get by.
I'm sat here in tears though as I'm feeling completely lost. The last few years have been hard work making it on my own but I can't see things getting any better and feel like I'm just existing from one day to the next with no goals to work towards and nothing to look forward to.
Is this normal at the age of 47? How can I shift this dark cloud that's hanging over me at the moment?

*need
FML

No, I don't think it's normal.

I read a relevant and interesting article last week (sorry, I can't remember where) explaining the difference between those who succeed and those who don't.

If you want to succeed then you need to know what this is - what does success mean to you?

What do you want that you don't have now? A job which brings you satisfaction and more money?

If you don't know what that job is, you need to find it.

Write down the things you enjoy. What related jobs are there? How can you get them? Break these goals down into manageable and achievable steps.

You'll get there.

Oh, and make your bed.

Hello purplelass
I’m sorry you are feeling like this, i just wanted to respond as no one had as yet.
I don’t have much practical help to give you, other than , have you asked for a pay rise, do some more training, look for another job, (people usually gain ££ in this move)
If your daughter is 14 you should have more time to yourself I don’t know what hours you work.
Silly question as i have never been in this position, but why do ex husband /fathers get away with paying so little towards their children? Could you go back to the courts and get more..
Are you looking after yourself? Low mood etc do you eat properly..
I hope you pick up soon.. others will respond soon with more practical knowledge and suggestions
Chin up

I think you might have spent so long looking after your daughter you might have forgotten how to look after yourself. Now she's getting more independent it's like you've lost part of your job? What kind of things make you happy OP, and how can you turn that into a goal to work towards?

Thank you drJava - lots of stuff to think about there...
Oh, and I didn't make my bed today for the first time in AGES! How did you know?!

Thanks Thesuzle & OnTheEdge I think you're right that my need to mother my daughter so much is fading and I need to find myself again (god that sounds naff!) whether that's a new job or something else.
Thanks for giving me a bit of a nudge in the right direction, time to stop feeling sorry for myself and get off the sofa!

I've made my bed now, it's a start

Have a look at the local college for coarses starting September work based or new hobby

They can fund most of the coarse fees for low incomes

Worth doing something for you

That's the spirit! And it's not naff, I get it. Our roles as mothers change as they get older and it's no wonder we can end up feeling a bit lost. it's no bad thing to take stock of our lives and think about whether we are happy and if not what we can do to make it better.

Try to enjoy the little things, one day you realise they're actually the big things.