I'm scared need advice please.

[OliveToboogie]

I'm a teacher in Scotland and have been for 25 years. Tbh I've never really enjoyed my job but felt trapped as my ex husband was house husband and I worked. He had no qualifications so would never match my salary. I struggled on but suffered Anxiety, Depression, Alcoholism through the years was miserable in my job for years. I am now sober have been for number of years. I was shielding during pandemic as I am in Clinically Vulnerable group chronic Asthmatic . My mental health has suffered greatly, I have lost my confidence . I desperately want to leave teaching, I am 58. I could take early retirement and get a part time job. I probably could manage financially as my kids grown up and my husband and I separated years ago.

I'm just so scared to make the leap of faith even though I know it's right thing to do. I have till April to make a decision. I am off work at moment with Stress, Anxiety, PTSD linked to shielding and other issues. Has anyone any advice. Anyone left job they hated and not regret it. TIA. YABU:jobs are hard to come by etc. YANBU:your health and peace of mind comes first.

Start window shopping for jobs. See what there is, part-time that you like. See how it feels.

Could you do private tutoring, on a one to one.?With kids missing so much school I imagine there might be some demand ?

Take the leap, op. You will not regret leaving this job you hate so much. The effect it's having on your mental health is untenable.

I know someone who left their role as a teacher in a secondary school and became a SEN teaching assistant a few years before retirement. They found the new role more fulfilling and a lot less stressful.

Yanbu. Of course you should leave, why on earth would you stay?

I left teaching over 15yrs ago. Initially it was a job I loved but after 30 or so years things had changed so much it was having an effect on my health, and I knew that if I carried on it would kill me. So I left. took early retirement with a 25% drop in pension and survived. I was so burned out I had no enthusiasm for any other work and I haven't looked back.
Do it! Bite the bullet and discover life again.

Leave. Leave as soon as you can.

You could do something you've always had an interest in or you could offer online tutoring (1:1 face to face IF you're feeling up to it. I'm CEV & wouldn't consider it until spring at the earliest) if you're proactive you'll get plenty of work, but you can choose your days/hours.

If you want to do something different it's an ideal time to do that alongside some tutoring.

Worst comes to the very worst, you'd get another job in teaching no problem.

Of course you should leave, get to bottom of mental health issues and live your life ! If you like kids and can handle a bit of rough be a supply teacher?? You can take days off when you need

Some families in the US are forming "pods" to keep their kids out of school and hiring teachers to instruct them... could that be an option? A former teacher friend of mine only works 4 hours a day and makes almost as much as she used to teaching full time!! She teaches 6 kids ages 4-7. The age range isn't ideal but she has so much free time, though I'm sure she does some lesson planning too...

I agree with others. You need to look after your mental health first and foremost, and this job is doing you no favours.

A relative of mine took early retirement, and for a while did exam invigilating and stuff like that, and also some private teaching.

I left a very stressful job with an awful boss (after being signed off with stress), when I had two children to support. I made it work, and it was the best decision I could have made.

I honestly don't think you'll regret it. I never have.

Take that leap! Honestly, the relief you will feel will be transformational and when you shed that mental burden you will be able to see more clearly what your options are and where you can move forward. I did the same once, literally walked out of a job and it resulted in a career change that I couldn't have imagined while I was in that trap of anxiety and no confidence.
Take the leap, believe in yourself, good luck!

I left teaching. Loved the kids, hated the bitchiness, bossiness and one upmanship that came from the staff. Never regretted it.
Are you in the Teachers Pension Scheme? If you are contact them and see what you’ll get and when. I think you can take a bigger lump sum/ smaller monthly payment ( and vice versa) but they’ll confirm.
Then look at part time jobs available locally. Would you be happy to work from home? That might be a good option for you.
You’ve got a while til State pension kicks in but if you have a TP that starts at 60, with some p/t work you’d be ok.

Get out now. Was the best thing I ever did. Try a different school, primary, supply but get out of where u are x good luck

No teacher over ever known has regretted taking early retirement, only staying on

I left a public sector role after 16 years , done it most my adult life. Didnt particularly hate it but my circumstances changed and i came to the conclusion life is too short to be miserable. Did a few part time jobs here and there and found myself a nice little admin job wfh. Best thing i ever did. I have a young child, so bit different for me , but you will have so much more freedom. Good Luck!

Thank you for all your supportive messages you are so right life is too short and we are not guaranteed tomorrow xx thank you all

Leave teaching. Your future self will thank you .