So tired of my job…

[FabulousFreshias]

So ready to retire… anyone else done it at 55?
I’m an SLT in a school and honestly feel completely worn down. The constant parental complaints, second-guessing everything, and the feeling that one tiny mistake could blow up is really getting to me. My anxiety is through the roof at the moment even though, logically, I know I’m doing my job well (and then some… the hours I do are crazy).
I’ll be 55 next year and hope to retire and and find something part-time and not in education. I’m seeing a financial advisor this week and think it might is doable, but it still feels like a huge leap. I think I could manage without a job, but would prefer to have a part-time job just to keep the luxuries going!!
I don’t want to wish my life away, but I also don’t think I can carry on like this much longer.
Has anyone retired (or semi-retired) around this age? What did you move into? Did you regret it or was it a relief?
Would really appreciate hearing others’ experiences.

My relative retired at 57 after 35 years teaching. He had to take a % cut due to early retirement. Honestly best thing he did! He had 12 years of good times/travel but at 72
he is now quite unwell. He did a reasonable amount of tutoring (A level) for the first few years, but even 10 hours a week was a doddle compared to teaching in a school. -
he loved teaching, but hated the paperwork and politics (he wasn’t very into tech so he found filling spreadsheets and emails time
consuming)

I should add.. I’m 40 and about to leave teaching after 16 years due to the relentless nature of the job. I have young children and it just feels like teaching is all or nothing. But I can’t give it my all because I have to prioritise family.

I'm 50 in local government project management type role. I've lost any enthusiasm for it, but am grateful for it at the same time. I suppose I feel I've gone as far as I can (not very) and there's nothing to aim for, so retirement is the next milestone. I think I'd take a wage cut if it meant not managing anyone and generally having less responsibility. Most of my friends seem to have the same vibe.

I also made the leap leaving SLT at 55. I was done. I became unwell and the stress was dreadful. No salary or pension is worth that.

Luckily for me DH has a decent pension and DCs are all adults and independent now. We downsized but stayed in the same area. I had a year out and then started volunteering in the community which I loved. I now run my own small business which is education based but something I love and it's very part-time. Just enough to top up the pension for holidays and treats. I also run a small charity. There is plenty to do when you retire so I wouldn't worry abut having a lack of focus or being bored! No regrets at all.

It sounds awful to say, but I’m less exhausted since moving into slt. Having more desk based stuff to do and a lot more ppa to do it has helped. The days I have to cover classes again and on my feet all day (Sen school) are way more exhausting. It is literally a physical exhaustion which I find hard to manage in menopause. Hence I will soon try to move to part time, rather than back into a heavier classroom load.
@properidiot your post made me smile - I am hopeful the teacher in me will result in an active and fulfilling semi retirement. How lovely you have made use of your many skills.

Support staff in school, am 55, exhausted! I recommend an IFA. Look at wealth advisor's based in Surrey or hants.

IFA's are so expensive. Rebel Finance School over on YouTube (there is also a Facebook group) opened my eyes to finances and investments.

Don’t underestimate the weight of working in education.

I left my FE Senior Management role eight years ago aged 52. I was totally burned out and extremely unwell physically and mentally.

I freelanced for a year to recover, just lecturing in my original specialist subject.

Then I felt well enough to get a four day a week job in the charity sector, wfh, and I absolutely bloody love it.

You might not need to retire, but it does seem like it’s time for you to leave education. Good luck.

I left teaching at 51, so 8 years ago. I loved it until it became an academy and so negative, toxic almost. I previously loved the creative aspect and spent a lot of time planning activities for individuals/ groups, but was then told to teach everyone the same - basically, one size fits all.
Madness.
I was ok financially and dh fully supportive as I was becoming increasingly miserable.
I now work part time ( cleaner), and love it.
I wouldn't go back into teaching - it's just changed so much.

I jumped off the wheel at 50 and had a new freelance career in photography, picture editing, arts outreach, and music workshops. I was lucky to have these other strings to my bow which I could capitalise on.
Just do it .... I have never regretted it.