To not really want to work anymore?

[caranconnor]

I am 50 and although I have enjoyed working in the past, I would prefer never to work again. I feel I have done enough. It is not an option, I have to work for another 17 years. But anyone else feel like this?

I can’t take HRT, and I do struggle. Many/most people I know have been made redundant or managed out of their jobs in their 50s. It seems really common.

Many/most people I know have been made redundant or managed out of their jobs in their 50s. It seems really common.

Scarily so. Probably so they can get an apprentice in and pay them a pittance at the same time.

I can’t take HRT either. Seem to have constant anxiety these days

I can't take HRT either and have retrained and taken an easier job, but on a low wage. It is enough to live on, but not to save. There really is no solution. I just hope that I will feel more energetic after the menopause.

I think there is so much propaganda in society about how being in your fifties and sixties is young, that it was a shock to find how tired I get. I have a lot of sporty friends in their fifties and they all say the same. At 45 I was saying that I was happy to work till 70. Felt full of energy, working full time and having busy evenings and weekends. How I feel has changed in such a short time.

I do agree though that retiring totally at this age is not a good idea. I just wish there were jobs that easy and secure.

I'm hoping to be able to retire in about 15 years.
Only another 450 children to teach....

I'm lucky as I can then tutor if I want the nice bit of teaching without the class of 30/paperwork and targets side.

Took early occupational pension aged 56 (actuarially reduced)Worked since aged 15 with 4 years off with children. Worked 11/12 hours days and was too tired to make my dinner by Friday! Downsized to pay off the mortgage otherwise I'd have another 5 years to go but I did pay extra on my mortgage for five long hard years before downsizing. This made a big difference. I do some carer work to top up my pension and I'm coping. I might get a job but not sure if it would be in the same area as my career but also aware it's hard to get a job at my age as employers want the young. I have a relative who has no private pension but got pension benefits and help with the rent when he couldn't work. An inspirational friend of mine has a rubbish private pension worth peanuts and is reliant on the state pension however she plans to downsize and move somewhere cheaper and live off the equity plus has other money-making schemes in mind and is happy to live frugally. Not everyone wants to do either of those but for some there might need to be a compromise. Life changes. It's so sad to hear how many are feeling so physically tired with the prospect of it not stopping anytime soon. You can't underestimate how draining the menopause is too. Life is short. My parents died mid sixties and you just don't know what's round the corner. Sending all tired ladies(and men)a hug!

@Theemoji The anxiety! I am not an anxious person but now I get so anxious. It is shit. It is why I could not manage my last job anymore.

daisypond

Interesting. Most of my female friends ( in their late 40's and 50s) are running their own small businesses. Many are found at the gym in the morning.

Retrain, downsize, go part time. I have no money (which brings its own challenges, but stops me over shopping), but at least feel like I’ve got some control over my life.

Not unreasonable at all

I’m 53 and moved 170 miles north last year from just outside London

Do more or less exactly what I did down South but from home and self employed

Do as much or as little as I want (work is very seasonal) and with no mortgage ow to pay due to the move it’s a much better work/life balance

I wasn't so much physically tired, but bored, which meant that didn't enjoy or do my job that well. I spent a year or so trying unsuccessfully trying to switch career (I'm 58).
Gave up on that, decided to work in a less senior role, same profession, fo thee days a week rather than full time. Big salary cut, but mostly that top slice was at higher rate tax, so still able to to most of the things I want.
I'm enjoying the new role - probably more than not working at all, because I'm not woried about money, and working part time gives a bit of structure to my week.

I'm 50 next year and gave up work this year, my husband quite likes me being at home as we get the weekends together to do things rather than me hacking around the house doing chores. I used to teach , did it for about 25 years, part of the time I was a single parent so didn't have the privilege of being at home when my children were small.

Now my children have left home I just love having an immaculate house, the dinner on the table when my husband gets home and weekends together. I do miss having my own income but my husband tells me not to worry about it.

Hope you manage to find your happy place too.

@speakout Most of my friends in their fifties go to the gym as well. They still get much more tired by the end of the day than they used to.

I did feel like you OP and then was forced to quit due to DH and DD1 becoming seriously ill ( both better now but has taken 3 years). I have just started a new job and loving being back at work as I got so fed up being at home . Also not rich enough to retire yet as 51 and need more in the pension so can’t do that even though I can live quite frugally .
Maybe you just need a break / more enjoyable hobbies at the weekend / change of job ? 💐

I am 59 was made redundant at 56, and decided to not go back to work, DH is self employed and is happy for me not to work, its quality of life for me, I may not have so much money, but as long as we can pay the Bill's, have a holiday or two a year, we managed.we are now mortgage free and since giving up work, do a some dog walking and dog sitting. Best thing I ever did, just got to wait till I am 66 or 67 for my pension

I feel like that at 26. My plan is to buy a tiny house and go part time. Sick of working 40+ hours a week.

Not just female friends, men in their 50s too are being managed out left, right and centre. It’s tough all round. Endless job applications, savings disappearing but with little hope of a new job, whatever lifestyle you had going down the pan. And people this age, not old at all, are starting to die. A friend’s husband died unexpectedly aged 54. Many people I know in their 50s train as teachers and that’s not an easy job either to go into.

I have worked for 32 years. By the time I retire I will have worked for 49 years.

Many people I know are single, so don’t have an OH to share the financial load. They are scared.

Yes two of my friends have died and a third is terminally ill Two in their fifties and one in their sixties. Cancer.

I'm 52 and intend to retire from teaching at 58. I've done the sums and it will be a bit tight but no way can I consider teaching for much longer than that.

Yes - I'd had more than enough by 50 having worked since I was 18.

Menopause hit hard, those who dismiss it as just a few hot flushes have no idea how it can impact on some women. Luckily I was in the fortunate position of being able to "retire" at 52. I now have my own business and am happy I will never have to work for anyone else again

This is what is scary- friends of mine are just starting teaching in their 50s after retraining. I’m looking into it myself.

I'm going to have to work until I'm 70 and not looking forward to it. Just how it's panned out. Lost TWO pension plans that I paid a lot of money into, one after the other, in my twenties which was also when I was making good money. Then ex got himself a gambling problem and we lost the house. I always knew I'd never be able to properly make up what I'd lost but boy is it biting now I'm faced with a long time to go, relatively speaking.

I did make up what I could - I was renting and put everything I could into pension because the housing benefit top up I got didn't take pension contributions into account. They also didn't take maintenance into account after the first few years (ex became cash rich, dodgy entrepreneur style) so we were able to live quite well. I do not feel guilty about this in the slightest. However bought a couple of years ago so got loads of years left on the mortgage. It was either that or all my pension would go on rent once I did retire. Long term I'll have made more money than I lost but it does mean working until 70 and yes the thought of that is exhausting.

Actually looking back on that there's been more bumps and bends than a ride at Alton Towers. No wonder I'm fucking knackered.

YANBU particularly if you have a hard job / low paid job.