Age 56. Can't be arsed at work anymore.

[Whosaidthattt]

I'm a tired 56 year old. All these 'initiatives' and 'CPD'- I just can't be bothered anymore. Been there, did that 20 years ago. I have NO INTEREST in pretending to be excited/motivated by these 30 year olds and their enthusiasm! I get that they are young and excited about how they can change things but I just can't be arsed. Hoping to retire at 60 but that means another 4 years of excited puppies bounding about with their ideas. I'm not sure I can take it (or even care). How can I get through this final part of working life?? Help!!!

It wasn’t financially or practically feasible for me until I did it. Mid-50s you often have fewer commitments than when you are bringing up young kids. It doesn’t have to be setting up a business (though heaven knows we’ve got to grow the economy somehow) It could be traveling the world, taking up a challenge. Whatever. But life is short. You might only have 20 good years left. Maybe less. Why waste it in a CBA job, dragging down an employer and blocking others’ progress. Be brave. Live life.
There was a thread recently asking why the UK is a bit shit (spoiler - it’s not) but if you have quiet quitters in their 20s and CBAs in their 50s it’s not hard to see why economic growth is so hard to come by in the UK.

I agree with @AngelInBlueJeans this is a disgusting thing to say. Many women have had their lives affected deeply by sexual harassment at work! And as that poster said, some women have been bullied out of their job - as the man sexually harassing them gets the bosses on side, and the woman either isn't believed, or is told she is asking for it.

Shame on you for that comment @Horrace !

It was an obvious joke.

I’m 63 and didn’t work for over 15 years - kept by my partner, I suffer from a few autoimmune illnesses and coupled with caring responsibilities for my elderly dad (before his death) felt I was needed at home. I started to feel very controlled by my family, both financially and mentally. I was reliant on my partner for money so after a particularly nasty row I started to realise I was stuck in this awful abusive situation and it needed to change fast so a year and a half ago I got a job. I love working now. I enjoy having my own money and also enjoy the company of other people, yes I am often knackered and feel old and worn out. People say to me “why do you work when you don’t really need to”. I can’t tell them it’s an escape route from home but I’ve never been healthier even with all my illnesses (in the background) and feel this is my last chance to do something. I don’t want to give up on life as I feel young in my mind, I’d be very sad if I had to leave. Retiring makes me feel like I’ve got one foot in the grave. I work in the NHS and it’s very overstretched and the staff are abused by “over zealous managers” and targets but I love it because it makes me feel I’m still alive. My partner says to me “I’m addicted to the drama of it all” and maybe I am, but I’m not dead yet!

When I was younger, I had a well paid highflying city job but I think I got burnt out and worked with some terrible narcissist that affected me, I lost my confidence and I gave up. I’ve obviously done things back to front. When my manager at work talks about personal development plans, I just say “I’m trying to ward off dementia, that’s it”… it’s horrible getting old, especially when you’ve got the mind of a 20-year-old and enjoy a good laugh.

Yes, but that suggests market adjustments are needed to restore wage share following its long term decline, or enhance flexibilities and job design, or improve British management, so that incentives are rebalanced. To give one example, the French work much shorter hours, and have a better quality of life, AND have significantly better productivity.

I think keeping the brain going is a good thing to try to ward off dementia but it doesn't have to be through working. The very worse thing people can do is retire and sit on the sofa watching TV all day you must keep your brain going. I witnessed this happen with my mum who retired at 55 dementia is the most awful illness

I've spent the last few days keeping across this thread - fascinating.

"Anyone want to move to Sri Lanka with me? 🥳"

This sounds fab! Maybe woman hitting the cliff should just go rogue, pool resources and live the rest of our lives with purpose, doing whatever we please.

That may look different to different people and might include childcare, caring for elders, travel, scaled back hours or volunteering.
All of which ease the burden on society.
After all we've done our bit, ensured the next generation have successfully launched.
I agree that some of our bodies are wearing out along with our give a damn and last nerve.
Many of us will cross the 67 line with illnesses, replacement joints and a barely liveable pension.
I look at my boomer generation parents, many retired in their late 40s and 50s. All seem to go from one holiday to planning the next, punctuated with doctor and dentist appointments.
Many are mortgage free, I've obviously not got this to look forward to, as my marriage failed early on (illness) and I've remained single and dedicated my life to our 3 children.
I try not to feel resentful at how things have turned out. The future looks bleak if I focus too hard and crunch the numbers.
I'm not saying it is any less hard for men but 67 is too old for the pension and there's talk of highering the age at some point.
Many will be long term sick long before then.

”boomer parents” retired in their 40s/50s…..really?
I assume those ones came from very affluent backgrounds, but most likely not the majority

@Skybluecoat
without looking up “quiet quitting” I already like the sound of it.
im not going to bother looking it up - im devising my own adaptation of it 🤣

I've heard of Quiet Quiting, did it with my last two jobs until I found a better place to work !!😄😄

”boomer parents” retired in their 40s/50s…..really?
I assume those ones came from very affluent backgrounds, but most likely not the majority

Both parents working class, Dad went to grammar school and did very well in switching many companies over to computers. He travelled extensively towards tge end of hos career, auditing business, as far as i can remember.
Mum was SAH house wife for most of her life once married.
She returned to work when we were teens, clerical in NHS.
They made some shrewd property moves over 50 yea, Dad fiscally savvy. We weren't overly 'rich' growing up. He preferred to reduce his mortgage than take lavish holidays. I remember a fairly frugal childhood.
They will say it was all hard work, i agree but think they were lucky to ride the property and computers wave of the late 80s early 90s.

I retired and thought I rey something completly different from the stressful HR post I had. I did 4 years partime retail, then 3 years parttime in a GP, took a year off for surrery and started at another GP today (16hours).