I can only do five years like this, then something needs to change. But what? Anyone else done this?

[AliveAndLicking]

I have a well-paid job with lots of autonomy and generally very good working conditions. I'm an academic.

I feel stretched very thinly and in a constant low-level state of panic. Much of it is my own fault because I'm involved in several different projects with lots of components that feel like moving parts.

In many ways, that's the nature of the job - we have to have different projects running at any one time. But it can still feel overwhelming.

I can't keep up this pace of work for much longer. I can do another five years - keep accelerating the projects I'm currently working on and then start to taper down.

In five years, I want to significantly change my working life.
There are a few options:
> Reduce my hours which will reduce my teaching load but unlikely to reduce the actual hours I need to work.
> Leave the sector altogether and look for work elsewhere which will be tough because there are lots of academics 'on the market' right now and we're seen in many job sectors as 'tainted'.
> Leave the sector altogether and try living off savings which could backfire and mean me eating nothing but custard creams from arsehole to breakfast.
> Reduce my activities so I basically just stop doing all but core parts of my job. A few years back this was pretty easy to do but in today's climate will be noticed so is a risk. But a risk of what?

Has anyone else significantly altered their working life at mid-40s? What did you do? What did this shift look like?

Sorry if this is all a bit rambling. I've posted here, rather than the academic forum, because I'm after broad thoughts, not just those of other academics.

Thank you

There is a special section for academics on here - might it be valuable to post there?

I can only add that my DF has been ruthless in reducing hours and shaking off extra roles, after years of going the extra mile (more like marathon!). But: she is nearing retirement and basically doesn't give a f* any more.

How easy Transfer to private sector for academics is often linked to your area. Some skills are much more marketable than others.
I do know a number of stem academics who have made the transfer recently and are happier in the private sector.

as you are probably aware some unis are cutting whole departments and courses. Your own personal chance of redundancy is probably less related to the work you are putting in than your subject area and whether it is at risk which will be a function of both which uni you are at and your area.

on a personal level I’d suggest trying to cut back and de prioritise some of your projects. Try and sit back and analyse which is most important and which if any can be dropped or let slip.

in addition, this is a really tough time of year. I worked in a school for many years and this is when the pressure always got to me most. See if you can take a break even if just a couple of days from it all.

I know about the Common Room bit of MN but I was after a more general sense from people who've had a change in their mid-40s, rather than just an academic perspective.

I agree - this time of year is absolutely dire.

Have you thought about moving to a central unit concerned with staff development and quality enhancement? I did this from a secondary school into HE and loved it.