Is 50 too old??

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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.

I wish I'd done something new at 50. Go for it, you're not too old

I wouldn’t want the longer commute or longer working hours, but I’m trying to get a better work balance with more time for hobbies & things I enjoy. Only you know if you really want more hours spent working.

You'll get a lot of "go girl, 50 is just a number" posts here encouraging you and that's a nice sentiment and true but it would also be understandable at 50 or at any age, to decide that your priorities are more based around free time, non-working life etc and this might be too much of a commitment or tiring.

I get tired very easily and always have and at 50, I'm just not sure I want to be working and commuting all hours!

Perhaps try visualising a couple of scenarios: 1. It's Monday morning, you're heading in for a working week in the new job, how do you feel? 2. You're 68, looking to retire, you did/didn't take this job, how do you feel about your career and where it took you?

My boss, the CEO is 66 and does the job well. I say go for it.

I love this thread. I would totally go for it, OP, but @ACJane also makes a good point. Make sure the whole situation, not just the job, is in line with what you want. But you can always change again if it doesn't work out.

I just heard about a 60 year old woman who has been a doctor's receptionist her entire career and is about to retain as a nurse! That takes a lot of energy.

Indeed! I wouldn't necessarily be up for making my work life balance worse at any age without thinking very carefully about it. And at 49 myself, I have to admit to just not having as much in the tank as I used to have. And I am fit and healthy and have a great attitude. There is a middle ground between ultramarathons and slippers/day time TV. 🙄

I guess it depends if you feel you;ve the energy for it, and that would be a consideration at any age.

Thought you were going to say is 50 too old for a baby.

Everything else you can never be too old for.

You're not unreasonable to be giving it careful consideration... but on balance, I'd go for it...

You can always leave if you don't like it but you'll probably enjoy the challenge!

Good luck :-)

Depends on a lot of factors, I'm roughly your age and wouldn't want to take on more hours or responsibility at work, I'm middle management in a large organisation, if anything I'm looking forward to maybe dropping some hours in a few years or even taking redundancy. BUT I have a disability and have also had a serious life threatening illness so context is everything.

I have more energy at 51 than I ever did in my 20s and 30s.

This is what I'd like to do.
May I ask how you did it? I'm looking at the OU...

I did a post grad at 50 for the job I wanted to do in a related field. However, I wouldn’t have done it if I hadn’t been very keen. You need to look at what suits you and what you want from your life-not other people’s Just because others are running marathons and taking on responsibility doesn’t mean you need to. Think about whether the new role will enhance your life? Are you the sort of person where your job defines you? Will it make you feel fresh and keen and will the extra money be worthwhile? Or are you happy as you are and look forward to hobbies more than your job? Only you and your loved ones can answer this-but don’t let an arbitrary age influence your choice. Think whether you want this or not.

You’re still probably having 10 plus years of working and hopefully this will be something you love! Take the challenge your not too old

Depends how you feel- how much energy you have.
At 50 some people are worn out, others are sprightly.
I started a new business at 55- it has been a runaway sucess, and now at 60 I look forward to expanding and growing my business.
I would say that you need to keep on top of your health as you grow older,
exercise is a priority for me, I eat well, keep slim, plenty sleep and mindful of my stress levels.

Good luck!

Well done you for getting the opportunity in the first place, I hope you feel really good about that! I don’t think you’re unreasonable to question whether you have the energy to take on a new challenge which brings a longer commute, increase in hours etc. Maybe this is an opportunity to reflect an x evaluate what you want from the rest of your working life. Do you still take a lot of enjoyment from work? Would you be bored with another 10 + years at the same level? If you didn’t take the new job, would you like to spend the time and energy on something else e.g. hobbies, family, self-development. Would the extra money help you to retire earlier/better? Best of luck with your decision.

I agree with the above. If you let it go, you may regret it. You have 17 (possibly 18) years to retirement and could add quite a bit to your pension in that time. Look after your health, get as much rest and good food as you can (HRT if necessary) and you will have the stamina for this job. You are good enough - they've offered it to you, so don't put yourself down.

To add to my previous comment, I voted YANBU because of course you're not unreasonable to carefully consider whether or not it's what you actually want.

You're not under any obligation to take on more at this stage of your life if you don't think it's right for you or if you want to find a better balance/do less. But you're certainly not too old to take on a new challenge! A lot of women need that as they get older and find it gives them energy and keeps them fresh. Either option is a perfectly valid choice.

I do know that I would regret not taking the opportunity.

Not unreasonable to think about it, but you would be unreasonable to consider it too late. Retirement age is now 67 I think. Loads of time yet.

I started a new career at 53 with no regrets.

I don’t want to be too specific, but something along the lines of university maths lecturer to banking - similar qualifications but used in a different way.

50 is the new 40. Or 30. Just do it. Don't let age hold you back! You could be working for another 15-20 years so do something you love 😊

I've just started full time in a new sector at 56, my DC's were quite spread out in age so it's the first time I haven't been part time since the early 90's! Loving it, feeling alert and challenged. Money also nice!

@Hollywolly1

I think you are right to tread 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...

This. ^ 100%.

@Hollywolly1

I think you are right to tread 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...

This. ^ 100%.

@NCindespair

I just heard about a 60 year old woman who has been a doctor's receptionist her entire career and is about to retain as a nurse! That takes a lot of energy.

OMG I couldn't think of anything worse!!! I have every intention of retiring at 60!