What is left for me?

[Iamanon55]

My DD has just started at University and is basically living my dream. She's going to the University and doing the course that I wanted to do when I left school and is living the life I feel I should have had. Of course I am over the moon for her and delighted that, after a hard couple of years, she is enjoying life and blossoming. I absolutely love her to bits. Of course I feel this way but I also wonder what there is left for me? Just old age, ill health and death. I don't know if I really want to be with my DH, I don't know if I even like being with him. I hate getting older and feel invisible as a 51 year old woman. I'm in a boring, mundane job. I don't feel like I will have a purpose in life anymore. God, I never ever thought I would feel this way. Has anyone else been through this and how did you manage to come out the other side?

Sorry you feel like this Is there anything to stop you completing a similar university course yourself, on a part-time basis if you are working? At 51 you have lots of working life left, it's not too late to change direction.

Why didn’t you do the course/ go to university?

Perhaps take some time to do some nice things for yourself, and then re-evaluate the rest of your life. Perhaps prioritise health?

So why don't you do the same course? See what degree you can do now that you don't have to look after kids etc?

I'm slightly older and I've taken lots of courses in recent years, some related to my job, others out of interest.

Why couldn't you do the course all those years ago? Could you do something similar now? It's never too late to follow your dreams.

Re. your husband, have a good think about whether you'd be happier living alone, if the answer is yes then do something about it.

My mum feels exactly like this. It’s a massive burden for me as an only child. Please don’t share your feelings with your DD, it’ll spoil things for her.

My love, you're only 51. If you want to study, go do it! If you don't feel able to go to a regular uni, consider distance learning. Don't be defeatist, be fabulous.

I felt like this I completely retrained as a holistic therapist at 50 I now run my own business and enjoy my life everyday.
You can do it you are not too old.