I just can't settle in new job

[Andontothenextdisaster]

I started a new job 2 months ago after 16 years in a fast paced super busy admin environment. I loved the old job but management was toxic and staff turnover horrendous. I was good at what I did and really confident. I am approaching retirement, ie. late 50's now but I just cannot settle in the new job and so regret leaving the last one. People are nice where I work but its not particularly interesting, quiet paced and I just can't settle. I am making myself super anxious. I can't afford to retire early though. I am already first in the office today and noone has arrived yet! I have done a few online courses to keep busy and asked for more to do but so far its just so dull. There is no option of going back to my old job. My heart says look again for another job but my head thinks I'm not being fair. I just feel so flat and regretful that I didn't stick the old job out to retirement even though it was a horrible atmosphere. I don't know if its my age not wanting to learn new things again or the job. Sorry for my ramblings but just wondered if anyone had any words of advice!

@ Todayuneed thank you for your speedy reply! Chaotic outside work tbh. I have a very time consuming hobby. Its just that awful feeling of "why did I leave" that I can't shake!

Two months is early days. It might be that more work comes your way when you've built your profile more, and there may be opportunities to voluntarily get involved with things outside the actual job, e.g. social/cultural initiatives.

Give yourself a more realistic deadline, maybe 6 months, to decide whether you want to stay.

Don’t leave yet. I started a new job and it’s taken 9 months to get settled. Even tho it was the same job, the company is very different.

As you settle in more, you might start to find ways you can make it more interesting or get involved in other stuff. Or you might just enjoy not working flat out all the time!

I would be asking for more work and seeing what you can develop it into, but at the same time start looking at alternatives.

When do you plan to retire? It might be more stick it out if say 60, but not so much if 67.

Just relax into the vibe as you approach retirement. I would ask yourself why you feel the need to function at the pace you have. Are you actually anxious? Also don’t ask for more work as you will make everyone else look shit and they will hate you.

@GOODCAT I'd like to retire at 60 but not sure if that is a pipedream given the current economic climate!

I’m also 2 months into a new job after leaving a very busy and varied but completely toxic job.
I was the SME for EVERYTHING and was really good at it. Was bullied out in the end.

New job is stress free, own quiet office, good managers and colleagues. But my god it is so boring, I’m almost falling asleep in the afternoons. I have no passion for the work at all.

I’m 57 and the retirement age in my country is 65 so am wondering if I should give it a bit longer then look for something else, or just suck it up.
I’d rather not work at all TBH but needs must. I’m also wondering if I might be depressed as I can’t find any joy in anything at the moment.

Could you ask for a compressed working week so you have to do it all in 4 days so keep busy while you are there and have a day off a week to ease you in to retirement?

I was made redundant at 50 and went to a new job that I expected to be busy, making a difference etc. It took about 6 months of me doing really dull not really necessary work before people realised I was there, then I got a little odd project, did it well, got an internal award, sorted out a persistent issue and suddenly I was busy and involved in all sorts, also found work "friends".
Stick with it, once people get used to you all sorts of stuff might find it's way to you.

As you are approaching retirement and it sounds like a decent workplace I would give it a bit more time. Look for ways to develop your role and make it more interesting.

It will take a while anyway to relax into your new routine.

Toxic, frantic work environments are hideous and it is a good thing that you got out of that.

It’s understandable to feel conflicted after such a big change. If your current job isn’t fulfilling and is causing anxiety, it might be worth exploring new opportunities that better align with your skills and interests. Prioritize your well-being and find a path that feels right for you.

You say you're late 50s and want to retire at 60, but you're not sure this is possible. Why not? Your pension/retirement planning should be really far advanced at this point and you should have a clear idea of how much you have saved, what income you'll be able to draw on once retired and how much you realistically need to live on. Why are you still unclear on these things? I really suggest you go and have an hour with a financial advisor so you have a better grasp of your retirement planning than you currently do. You're only around 2-3 years from retirement, so you should know this stuff already!

As to your new job and what you should do - I would give it more time. Ask for more work, speak to your line manager about how you enjoy being busy and would welcome being asked to help out with other people's work if they are busy and you aren't, be proactive. But I'd also give yourself a date by which, if things don't improve, you will start looking elsewhere. That might be 6, 9 or 12 months, but sometimes jobs don't work out and it really is okay to look for something else that will suit you better.