Big change

[Makingadecision]

So I’ve resigned from a senior role with a good salary and am working my notice. I have no job to go to. This role has broken me to the point I can’t make good decisions or act strategically because I’m frozen and disempowered. I needed to leave but now I’m really scared. I can last a few months with savings but keep telling myself I will never have such a well paid role again and I feel ashamed I’ve walked away.
just not sure if I’ll recover from this career wise.
Does anyone have any inspirational tales or experiences to share, when something worked out OK.
im late 50’s so worried about that too.

Hi,
Just want to congratulate you for being incredibly brave and putting your health and wellbeing first. Nothing is more important than that. You’ve identified you’ve become almost paralysed by stress/pressure to the point of breaking point, and walked away before things get even worse. I promise you, something good will show up for you. But you can only attract something better when you make space and get into a healthier place mentally. I’m someone who always likes something lined up but there was a time years ago where I left a good job that had totally burnt me out into an anxious mess. Once day I hit breaking point and walked out with nothing to go to. I spent time getting myself into a more balanced, healthier state and positive opportunities started showing up. Have faith. Drop the shame. Staying in that situation would have been more shameful. You’ve been brave and put yourself before a job that would replace you without a second thought. Also wanted to share a Rumi quote - “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.”

Hi OP,

I am you, back in September. My decision came to resign came to a head and the moment I resigned, I was placed on Garden Leave. I have actually spent the last two months cleaning, getting fit, and I have started a coding course which was free.

I had a thread about this just two days ago on job hunting at 57. I have learned a few lessons in my job hunting and while I may not find something that is as well paid as my last role, I have gone through my finances and adjusted spending so that I can look at a lesser salary as I wouldn't want to be in the same position again in such a role.

I agree with the PP, (and I have had moments of panic & despair) use this time now as you work your notice period, to draw down some kindness for yourself. How long do you have to work? You are brave to put your own wellbeing above a job, and the main conclusion is that dont resign, get a new role while you're in job as always easier. But it isn't, is it ? Sometimes we have to walk away to keep ourselves well.

I have two weeks now until the end of my garden leave. I have had five interviews, and have gone for lesser paid roles and not been successful but I have used the interviews as practice, then today, I was offered a role that is slightly less than my previous role, but brings me a new dawn.

I did look at a couple of websites: restless (they have a job section for the over 50s) has a good section on work, CV tips etc. (Some of it I found a little patronising but overall, it helped me through )

I found the move valuable advice from this forum in all honesty. Plenty of threads here in this section.

What is your industry ? I was going down the route of temping had I not secured anything or even housekeeping in hotels as that would have been something that paid the mortgage at least and given me some light relief.

It is brutal but it is a learning time, and sometimes as my employer told me, sometimes, maturity is priceless and he welcomed it. I am working remotely and I had to go through three stages of interviewing.

Good luck, OP, let us know how you get on. You will come through and back in September I felt distraught but with time, I have come through and spent one month, full time, looking for a full time job. Give yourself the space to heal.

Thank you both for your kind and positive responses. I will follow your advice. I already feel better and more positive and definitely will not apply for another role like this but will revise my finances and use savings if needed.

So glad to hear you’re feeling more positive. Keep us updated on how you’re getting on. Wishing you a restful and nourishing end to the year, and hope 2026 brings you a role that you love - with plenty of balance!

Go for it! Well done! How about trying as a freelance consultant within your industry?
That worked well for me when I quit due to pressures :)

Good luck with the job hunt.
Also for a bit of a boost to your finances don't forget to apply for the tax you have overpaid this year (as you are unlikely to be earning again before the start of the 26/27 tax year).

Good shout. Thank you

Yes that’s a good idea thank you

Well done op! It’s such a big but brave and also necessary step when you’ve feel you’ve reached your limit.
This was me in August this year, senior position but the directors were culturally immoral and I’d I’d reached burn out. I put my notice in without a job to go to.
I did end up working a few weeks in a new job but a totally different area, but it wasn’t for me.
I made the decision to just use up my savings have a few months off and decide next steps and what’s right for me rather than rushing and accepting any job role.
My house is cleaner than ever, I’ve signed up the gym, I feel mental clarity.
Ive actually been head hunted while I take a step back, so due to meet them in a couple of weeks.

It is scary but you’ll feel so much better once you’re free and can think clearly again!

I walked out of a job 2 years ago with no job to go to (half my team did the same which shows had bad things were).

I had enough savings to keep me going for a while. However, it took me ages to start looking for a job (as I wanted a break and my motivation was low) so I was unemployed for 9 months and eating through my savings.

I did get a Civil Service job after 9 months. (I’m in my late fifties - I wasn’t in a well-paying job beforehand.)

What wonderful updates to this thread. It is quite fascinating how us in our late 50s have pulled through these times and while the job market is brutal, there are success stories.

When my new employer asked me why I was seeking a new position after four years, I was very careful about how I worded my differences with my former line manager. They were taking the business in a direction that I couldn't align with and therefore, I felt it was time to move on. That worked for me. We shall see how it goes as I start on Tuesday. The three months of garden leave while initially I was pulling my hair out, did me the world of good. I have now reached a settlement agreement and achieved what I needed to with my former employer and I can move on.

OP, it will be interesting to see how you get on as you move through this notice period. Willing you on to a new life away from employment that has driven you into the ground. It appears the civil service is a good place to start.

Hope you are coming through to a more negotiable place.

I’m leaving the Civil service. Managing people is soul destroying when everything is weighted against you. And no matter how hard you work processes and policies and systems do t support you.

Hi @Makingadecision ah, I see. You know, the moment I posted it, I wondered if you were in the CS.

However, I do understand as despite me being in the private sector, I found similar in my last post. The differences became bigger and recruitment was very difficult but there was no to little support from my line manager. The whole operation was viewed from a once a week visit. It is very easy to be critical on an observation basis only. Operations are fraught with sickness/AL and all manner of issues. It became apparent to me when my LM was under the influence and attempted to discipline me at an inappropriate time, in an inappropriate place.

I am so happy to be out of it. I hope you will soon be at the end.

I recently thought I was going to be made redundant. I wasn’t, as it happened, but it made me re evaluate my career direction. Have you considered accessing your pension now, and supplanting it with a part time job? That was what I was planning on doing. You may not, however, be ready to take life into the slower lane. Yes your pension will be reduced, but you’re buying yourself time, which is invaluable.

Thanks. I definitely feel ready for a change of pace but due to working part time when my children were young I don’t have much pension to access. But I do have savings and therefore part time in a non leadership role might just be possible if I’m careful.