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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is 50 too old??

113 replies

NewRollover · 08/02/2023 13:32

I'm 50 years old - it feels like a big jump from 49 I am suddenly feeling closer to retirement and old age.

I have a chance to jump into a new career opportunity in a job I would have given my right arm for 20 years ago. I don't know if I feel too old and tired.

I'm working full time but this is longer full time and a slightly longer commute. It's more money, more responsibility, more challenge. Senior management in a growing business.

What would you do? AIBU to feel Iike this.

OP posts:
Makegoodchoices · 08/02/2023 14:43

You can’t just wait to die from 50!

Take some vit d, get enough sleep and go for your dream job.

TangledWebOfDeception · 08/02/2023 14:47

Choconut · 08/02/2023 13:45

Take your age out of it - do you want the job or not? There is no obligation to take it if you don't want to (I'm assuming) so just say no thanks if that's the case. But don't hold yourself back because of your age! Could you imagine a 50 year old man thinking he was too old for a promotion?

This!

My instinct is to say GO FOR IT AND DON’T LOOK BACK, but that’s because it’s what I would want to do (and hence, what I would do) in your shoes.

Pr1mr0se · 08/02/2023 14:47

Go for it, don't be scared. Good luck!

TollgateDebs · 08/02/2023 14:52

50 - got made redundant again, so set up own business doing what I'd been paid for previously, approached companies to offer services, did OK, got an opportunity for a full time, well paid role, took it! Now 61 and still working full time in the role. You are never too old, go for it!

VivaLesTartes · 08/02/2023 14:52

I think if it's something you really want to do then you can't ever be too old. Go for it!

ThreeblackCats · 08/02/2023 14:53

Only you can answer this op!
Will you have enough to pay your bills, would you regret it if you don’t take the opportunity.
People tend to regret the things they did not do, rather than the mistakes they made!

pussycatinfluffyslippers · 08/02/2023 14:58

I'm 50.

Go for it.

That's all...you're too young for zip-up slippers and an afternoon nap in front of Howards' Way or Pie in the Sky.

Hollywolly1 · 08/02/2023 14:58

I think you are right to thread very carefully here,a longer working week with more responsibility and a longer commute🤔.I am not saying this because you are 50 yrs old btw but I am saying it because you will have much less time to yourself and time is worth so much and if you go for it you will most probably have way more stress and that is not worth the extra money. Good luck whatever you decide

YouTarzan · 08/02/2023 14:59

HRT

FlamingoQueen · 08/02/2023 14:59

You are not being unreasonable, but go for it! Life’s too short!

lobeydosser · 08/02/2023 15:01

That extra challenge will be rejuvenating. Don't succumb to the curse of the birthday that ends in a zero. It really is just another year - you have a chance to make it a proper turning-point. Grab it!!

LynetteScavo · 08/02/2023 15:01

If you don't do it now, you might never do it. Go for it. At 50 you're now officially a grown up Grin

IcedPurple · 08/02/2023 15:03

I'm 53 and my job changed considerably in the pandemic, and not in a good way. I would love to find some sort of new direction so would definitely take this opportunity if I were you.

50 is not 'old' these days. Think of how many high level politicians only get the top job at that age or considerably older. Maybe not a great example but you know what I mean!

PanettoneMoly · 08/02/2023 15:05

If you were considering running for president or speaker of the house in the US, you’d be a mere spring chicken in comparison.

Paturday · 08/02/2023 15:05

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 08/02/2023 13:52

50 is too old is you are a cat but not if you are a Galapagos giant tortoise.

Hope this helps. 😉

😄 love that ❤️ go for it OP!!

Lcb123 · 08/02/2023 15:07

Forget about your age - if the job is the right decision do it. Hopefully 50 is only the half way point in your life!

BessieSurtees · 08/02/2023 15:09

I’m early 60’s and I went for a challenging niche role at 51. I loved the challenge and it has evolved over the last decade, it has stopped me becoming stale. My commute was shorter though and there were other perks.

I was offered another role last year and I was so very tempted, a new challenge can rejuvenate you. But they wanted me to supervise and mentor the person who would step in to my role for 3 months while setting up a new project, for no extra money and more travel so I refused.

However if it had been more money I would have done it for the pension. @NewRollover will it be financially rewarding as well as personally and what are the prospects over the next 10 years or so?

PAFMO · 08/02/2023 15:09

I'm 57 and probably looking to change career this year.

Comtesse · 08/02/2023 15:10

Roll the dice and do it - sounds great!!

Lochnesslassie · 08/02/2023 15:12

NewRollover · 08/02/2023 13:32

I'm 50 years old - it feels like a big jump from 49 I am suddenly feeling closer to retirement and old age.

I have a chance to jump into a new career opportunity in a job I would have given my right arm for 20 years ago. I don't know if I feel too old and tired.

I'm working full time but this is longer full time and a slightly longer commute. It's more money, more responsibility, more challenge. Senior management in a growing business.

What would you do? AIBU to feel Iike this.

DH is 56 this year and fairly recently changed job and became a Managing director. Go for it, if he can so can you. Good luck

Chicheguevara · 08/02/2023 15:15

I jumped career at age 58 and haven’t regretted it so far. It was liberating, even though the money was less, but the commute was a short walk instead of a 45 minute drive. I made that leap.

If you take your age out of the equation, what would you think then?

dinglethedragon · 08/02/2023 15:19

Dear god woman - I'm almost 70 and don't feel old in the slightest. I got my dream job at 51, loved every minute of it. Sadly our group was disbanded and we were all made redundant 5yrs later - I got another fantastic job, same sector, different organisation, a year after. It involved a switch in speciality and a lot of travelling, loved it.

I'm now loving retirement and have enthusiastically taken up a range of hobbies that I never had time to do because I was so busy working flat out in the jobs I loved.

go for it.

bluecrayola · 08/02/2023 15:20

BadGranny · 08/02/2023 14:11

At the age of 50, I started a new job in a new sector 150 miles away from my previous job, home and friends. It has been a wholly positive experience, and as I approach retirement age, I am so glad I did it. My friends thought I was nuts, but my closest family supported me and they were right to do so.

@BadGranny how brave! SmileWhat did you switch to?

YetanotherNameChanger3 · 08/02/2023 15:21

Good grief- no!

I retrained at 50 (as a counsellor), wrote two self-help books (that were published), wrote for The Times etc off the back of them, ran my own counselling practice and am still working at almost 68.

Work is good for us, as long as we enjoy it- it's proven to keep us young!

countrygirl99 · 08/02/2023 15:21

If you don't take it will you spend the next 16+ years of your working life regretting it? Because that's an awful long time to be stuck wishing you had made the move.