To ask what job I can possibly do?

[ThoughtsAnyone]

I am turning 40 and really need a job but I am an an introvert with social anxiety and ADHD.

The ADHD affects me the most as it's attentive and means I struggle to learn, never learnt anything at school due to lack of focus, concentration so have no formal qualifications or GCSE and have tried to gain them since but just find learning impossible.

I have had a few jobs but none of them last more than a few days as I find it difficult to learn and remember things I'm shown so eventually employers give up when I still don't know what I'm doing and let me go.

I would like to work but I am not a people person, I get exhausted around people and with social anxiety as well it's so hard, I hate when people thinking I'm stupid because I can't follow instructions or remember things I'm shown.

I have been a SAHM for 20 years this year.
My dh works but now my youngest is turning 3 I have to look for work and I have no idea what I can do, I guess I am terrified of the thought of going back to work and I really don't feel I can contribute anything of any value to society, it's more the knowledge that the employers don't want me there and talk to me like dirt as they realise how incoherent I am.

I feel like this world is meant to be for normal people and if you're not normal it's tough and you're forced to try to fit into a social norm that isn't natural to me and I don't function in.
At school I was punished for not being able to learn and at work and society it's the same, does anyone have any ideas what jobs there are that could possibly be right for me?

I enjoy driving and being outside. I need something unskilled, no experience.

Dog walking?

Delivery driver?

Good suggestions thank you.

Try the big s/markets. One person I know has been a shelf stacker for years (night shifts) and another works in the back bay, unloading and stacking ready to be shelved. One works for Morrisons, the other possibly Asda or Sainsburys.Both of these have m.h. difficulties, btw.
Driving's a bonus too, btw. Delivery driver?

You say you can't learn, but from your post you are literate and have learnt how to drive. There must be all sorts you have learnt as a parent. So you can learn but maybe need to do it in a particular way.

Ah, titchy , great minds and all that

OP, please don't wait for jobs to be advertised - you really need to be pro-active here and contact them. Good luck!

Supermarkets are a good shout. I work nights at one picking online orders. There's a team of about 5 pickers and 6/7 shelf stackers and in my entire shift I barely speak to anyone cos once you start your pick list your off on your own. That and everyone has their headphones on. Honestly. It's my dream. Lol and no customers either 😂

Supermarkets are a good shout. I work nights at one picking online orders. There's a team of about 5 pickers and 6/7 shelf stackers and in my entire shift I barely speak to anyone cos once you start your pick list your off on your own. That and everyone has their headphones on. Honestly. It's my dream. Lol and no customers either 😂

delivering the post?

Would garden centres interest you? If you like plants and being outside - they might suit you.

Also - possibly animal centres, stables or even zoos if there are any near you.

A home shopping picker in a supermarket? Postie?

I like the sound of the supermarket and if I do nights we would save a fair bit on child care.
I feel a bit more positive now, thank you all.

Definitely try dog-walking. You don't need any experience and insurance is cheap - I pay around £10 a month. It's flexible and you can fit it around your commitments too - I can earn £100 in about 6-7 hours. With COVID you do have to supply your own leads, treats and poo bags though, and carry sanitiser to use before/after you enter people's homes.

I have ASD and struggle with social interaction but I absolutely love dog walking. I have to speak to the owners to do an initial meet and greet (lasts about an hour) but after that 99% of communication is via text or Facebook.

Any warehouse type job, cleaner, delivery driver. On line order picker, Royal Mail sorter or delivery.
Look at indeed.com and see what’s available locally?!

Cleaning? Not much human interaction or skills needed. Im looking into it myself :)

Does it need to be paid work or is volunteering a possibility? Food banks over need drivers and cat rescues need staff to help with the animals, fund raising etc.

Hello!
I know this isn’t an answer; but I also have ADHD & whilst now I have what would be perceived to be a good job and I have worked very hard, I’m 39 and single as a result. You’ve managed family life wonderfully and I think, with the job just try to focus on jobs where there is sone legroom (I.e. not something like a checkout assistant simply because it would be difficult to take a break if needed). Don’t give yourself a hard time - you are doing great x

Same here. Delivery driver gave me huge anxiety, due to driving, not knowing the area etc. Super markets were and are garnering hundreds of applicants for just ONE post. Postie sounded good to me - out and about, just posting things through doors, but we've no had a post come up in two years. I eventually settled on bank nursery assistant for my child's nursery chain in my area. I find waiting for a call a bit stressful, but otherwise, I personally find dealing with children to be fair easier and far, far lessanxiety inducing than having to deal with the general.public. I'm also technically unqualified- I have paediatric first aid training, basic health and safety, good hygiene etc, all provided by the company, but I just turn up and get paid to interact with the children, make sure they stay safe, that sort of thing. I honestly love it. Children don't judge you. Children don't go home thinking bad things about you, gossiping about you behind your back, etc. For me, it's been the only job ive been able to find that I can cope with.

If I were you, I'd try volunteering first, if you're hoping to start slowly ?

1.No-one can sack a volunteer.

1. You can ask to work 'behind the scenes' rather than deal with lots of people.
2. Gives you the time to relax into the job, and learn at your own pace.
3. It gets you used to the idea of working and routines etc.

Once you've become more used to being 'at work' and have relaxed and enjoy it, that's the time to look for a paid job.

Plenty of good suggestions above e.g Delivery driver, postman/woman, dog walker etc)

Data entry

You are articulate and there are no issues with your comprehension or writing skills - so you are ahead there.

Honestly, there is so much you can do. At 40 a full 25 year career is ahead of you. With patience you could be anything, really, and there will be lots of people who would be pleased to have you on their team.

I think you should consider googling/YouTube re fixed mindsets. You seem very fixed in what you can and can’t do and it will hold you back unless you take steps to address it. Good luck.

Hi,
I agree with night supermarket work but also night factory work e.g production line, night or early morning cleaner. I hope my suggestions don't sound demeaning (I'm a night carer and lots of cleaning but not for you if you don't want to work with people)

Good luck with your job search

Night filler at a supermarket. In my experience it's relatively straight forward (it's more complicated than it looks on paper but nothing major to learn), you're generally in the same aisle (increases efficiency) and often working solo in that aisle. The night teams are often small (there were about 6 of us each night in a medium sized supermarket), the pay is pretty good and if you can juggle it it'll cut down on childcare. Plus staff discount!

It worked really well for us. 90% of the people I worked with started because they had young families and we're still there years (and decades) later

Could you volunteer in a charity shop maybe? I know they probably aren’t open at the moment. You could sort things out in the back it may be quieter than faced with the public. Just as a starting point.