Early Retirement in my 50's And Unsure How To Find Purpose

[Thejetty]

I have entered into early retirement thanks to the menopause and some pretty major life stressors over the past couple of years which has taken its toll on my mental health.
The job market looks bleak and financially, I don't have to work.
Whilst this is a good position in a way, I also feel that I should be contributing (early 50's).
I still have school aged dc as I had dc later in life but wonder what my contribution is now (I worked in various admin jobs) in between having 3 dc of varying ages. I was a sahm for many years having supported a husband with a good career and having very little support in real life (parents unable to support etc.). Grandchildren (if any) will be a long way off.
I have contemplated volunteering but I can't decide what to try and I am concerned I will become bored (query adhd yet to be diagnosed). I'm struggling to know what to commit to. There are often politics in various situations and it is something I want to avoid as much as possible.
Apart from joining the gym and attending an interest group and visiting my couple of good friends and acquaintances for coffee, my world is small (I am grateful for my friends).
I am pretty certain I have an ND and associated anxiety and low mood. I don't know how to go about this. I'm going to have to 'do' something to change my situation. Still feeling tired and a burnt out but gradually improving (I hope).
I have always been a people pleaser. I am disappointed that I didn't have more of a career in a caring profession but I'm too tired to retrain and feel a lot of grief that this boat has sailed. It is likely that I'm going to be on the receiving end of care sooner or later. I did think about working with children with SEN but maybe now in a voluntary type role due to my own life experiences and my dc's.
I do love the outdoors conservation etc. and also books (no charity bookshops on the doorstep but books have always been of interest.) However, I probably need a role serving others as that's where I feel at my happiest when I'm needed.
Anyone?

I got a dog, joined a reformer Pilates studio and a serous vinted habit

It's a huge life change.
Be gentle on yourself.
If you are anything like me (ADHD) you'll be panicking and running around like a headless chicken, trying to find a purpose at first.
I'm one year in now and my advice would be don't panic, you will find your way. I initially booked myself voluntary work (because well meaning people thought it would be good for me!) before deciding it was the last thing I needed.
I'm now booked on an a very part time craft course but I tend to spend most of my time just wafting around doing whatever I fancy.
I've found the things I enjoy the most are going to the library, selling on vinted, cooking and popping to the gym.
Congratulations 🎉

Thank you Lancashire I needed to read this. It's giving myself permission to
stop. How do you manage ADHD and boredom?

I retired in my 50s in somewhat similar circumstances. Almost 10 years on, I’ve done some volunteering but my days are filled with various group activities, gardening, socialising, hiking and visiting isolated family members.
I like to think I’m helping society by fostering community and social bonds, but much of the time I’m just enjoying myself.

I am a volunteer for one of our local environmental charities

I love that you can do as much or as little as you like

i I love the feedback they give - some much needed interesting stuff happening

a range of activities also

things I don’t do include our local archiology group, other environmental charities , the town flowers group, the town clean up team

When our DC were little if they ever complained of boredom I would always say "there is no such thing as boredom, you are clearly tired" and I'd send them for a lie down....😅 They soon learned to stop complaining.
I sort of apply the same philosophy to myself now. If I recognise that I'm bored, I go and do something...even if it's just reading, or playing a computer game (which is actually very good cognitive stimulation!).
If I'm still bored, I nap and don't feel guilty.

I was like a coiled spring at first, so tightly wound up, life doesn't have to be that way anymore, you can relax now.