HELP - I've lost my mo-jo.

Sorry crossed with your post

This is time to do whatever you want. Take each day as it comes. Are you financially OK? If so, ask yourself what you've always wanted to do. Do you and your DH share interests?

When I reached the age of 50 I decided I'd been grown up long enough. So now, providing I don't hurt anyone, I do whatever I want. I've learned to dance, taken up cycling and walking, and even climbed trees. My aim at some point is to Go Ape even though I'm scared of heights lol. We have a list of things we want to see and do. Some are daft and some more serious.

At the moment we're converting a Transit into a tent on wheels. Then we can go away more often (I know this isn't an option for you as you have a child in school). We're going to wildcamp.....well we're Yorkshire born and don't like spending money

You've worked. You've paid into the system. You don't have to be defined by your job but by who you are. If people don't approve of what you do then tough. Enjoy yourself. It's your life and you have the chance to live it whilst you're still young.

Here's the promised update..
My mojo has been found or at least relocated! I'm feeling much cheerier.
I'm now working as an audio proof listening. (Proof reading/ listening to audio books) This has the great advantage of giving me some "pin money" which I wantedit fits in with family life and my other commitments and it's flexible. I can do it whenever and where ever I like.. (At home, coffee shop - ANYWHERE! )
Thanks v much for all your ideas and support.
X

My thoughts are that if it were me in your situation I would be looking for a part time job, even if I did not need the money, I would be looking to meet people and in a work situation as part of a team this is vastly different to meeting people socially. Much more satisfying.

There are lots of groups in the U3A. I would say find your own group, and leave your Mum and her friends to their own. However, there could be a new job on the horizon. Best of luck with that. It does sound as though you are already quite active though and just feel you're not doing anything worthwhile. Well, you're bringing up a young daughter, that must be worthwhile in itself. Your volunteering and committee work should feel worthwhile so I wonder whether you should relax and enjoy yourself more. Join a Zumba class? Ramblers or similar? Thinking about U3A most people would be a lot older than you so I probably wouldn't go down that route yet. However if the interview is successful perhaps you will have found just what you're looking for. Do come back and tell us.

Here's an update.... I'm going for an interview today as an "audio proof listener"
Ie: you listen to audio books and spot the mistakes!.
Yes, U3A sounds interesting... but it would involve going with my mum and her friends (!) which makes me think perhaps I'm really too young for it.

It's nothing to do with the menopause, you can feel this way at any age. When I retired I went to my nearest National Trust house and have been volunteering one day a week now for 6 years. I meet lots of new people each week and also have a regular group of friends who I work alongside. We have a grumble and a laugh and everyone is lively, intelligent and fun. Friends don't come to you, you have to go out and find them.

Have you got a U3A near you? You might find new friends there as well as interesting activities. You should be able to find out what's available on line. You never know, it might bring you in contact with people who are involved in volunteering for worthwhile causes, one of which might be something you might consider helping with. However, I agree that looking for a job would be a good idea, 52 is very young to retire.

Thank you - you've really hit the nail on the head!

Maybe you're not really quite ready to retire yet. Not many 52 yr-olds retire these days so you are in a minority situation. As pp said, how about a little part-time job that you fancy?

I'm a new member here and empathise with some of holdthetonic's post because I am still searching for a new role post-retirement (I hope there are posts elsewhere on this or I will start a new thread).
holdthetonic - please don't think you haven't achieved anything in your life or write yourself off at the age of 52. Most people don't do remarkable things in their lives and you're not the only one who hasn't many close friends. I devoted so much time and energy to my job that I was too exhausted at weekends to socialise, so I didn't.
I went to a talk on how to be a volunteer and the speaker advised strongly that you choose things that interest you, not things that you think are "worthy". For example, there are schemes for befriending an elderly person locally, but I don't think I'd have the patience.
I suggest that you keep trying out new things to see what you like best because at worst you can cross that activity/course off the list and at best you may discover a talent for something that you didn't know you had.
I hope this helps.

obieone forgive the digression, are you a fairly new member, as I cannot remember seeing you before just recently? Are you a gran or perhaps soon to be one?

I felt exactly the same when I retired, holdthetonic, and still do sometimes. It's the loss of identity that's hard to get used to. I did an OU degree after retirement and thoroughly enjoyed being a student again. It's not lonely because the online chatrooms are full of other students and because you are all studying you all have something in common.

You shouldn't feel as if you've achieved nothing - what about your young daughter? Bringing up a child is an achievement in itself.

I agree with others that you have years in which you could develop a second career. With an ageing population there is a need for mobile hairdressers, mobile beauticians, mobile manicurists, mobile chiropodists - does any of that appeal? It would not take you that long to retrain in any of those areas. Have a look at the courses your nearest FE college offers, you might be surprised.

Being a mobile anything would bring you into contact with potential new friends. As for the dropping in for coffee/tea/chat thing, people don't seem to do that so much any more, they mostly seem to wait for an invitation. Do you have a neighbour you could invite round one morning for coffee? See how things develop.

Perhaps you could start a book club? Advertise in your local library or the parish magazine? It needn't cost anything if you meet in each others houses and is often a good way of making new friends and developing more of a social life.

Is it official then obieone - that they've located the 'soul' at last?

We are mind, body and soul.
Are you religious at all?

You don't have to do voluntary work. Get yourself a little part time job that looks like fun.

Yes, they are out there, seasonal work is especially popular. Take your time and look for something quirky. Set up an Internet job-alert.

I did that when I retired and landed a job working with tourists at a local castle one summer. Had to dress up in medieval gear but it was FUN. I didn't want anything permanent but this lead to conducting some 'GhostTours.' around the town over the dark and creepy winter months.

But there are vountry jobs like this going too especially at NT properties.

Yes annodomini that's a good idea. I became a magistrate when I retired and it's very rewarding. The only thing is a lot of courts are closing so hopefully her local one will be one that stays open. It is very worthwhile and retiring age is 70 so a long time for her to do it.

Have you thought of becoming a magistrate? As you're feeling that you haven't made your mark (though I'm sure your closest family would disagree), this might be just the thing for you. The CAB is always on the lookout for volunteer advisers and there are many schools who need new blood on their governing bodies. For all of these voluntary posts, extensive training is given.

Lovely ideas - thank you. I feel SO much better since talking to you all.
X

DS did something similar years back Welshwife, only the job he was given was inspecting footpaths all over the county. I used to go with him as it was in the summer. Had some lovely days out.

Hi tonic I lose my mojo every now and again and then I find it again.

What about doing an online study course, for free, on FutureLearn? There is such a variety of subjects on there, you are bound to find something that interests you.

www.futurelearn.com/

OH and I both took early retirement when we were 55 - initially it was to be able to give more care to my parents who lived about 160 miles away. As it happened they both died before we actually go to start the retirement but decided to continue with it. For eighteen months we worked on our house which we had not longed moved into and then we were a bit fed up with DIY etc and decided to do agency work! We both did things we had never done before - the best job OH did was to read gas meters in commercial premises for a week - we both went out taking a packed lunch with us and drove all over Wales finding just a couple of premises a day! He was paid mileage too. It was the most glorious weather and we went right to the north of Wales. This was some years ago when preparations were being made to open up the gas market. After a while I went back to teaching but only doing supply work and he continued with the variety. It is maybe a good thing to try if you just fancy a few days out working.
I understand completely what you are saying though - we live right out in the sticks now and what I would do some days just to have someone pop In for a coffee and chat. We have some good friends but we all have our own things to do - I think that we miss the friendship groups and having people about all day when we do stop work - takes a while to get used to.

I think you've hit the nail on the head, holdthetonic, when you say"I feel that my woeking life wasn't really of any value".
At 52 you could have nearly half your life ahead of you, plenty of time to find out what you can throw your heart and soul into.
Time to do some self-searching. Could you sign up for a further education course, or professional training?
At your age, maybe a bit younger, I began studying Law, got as far as 2nd year degree, but had to give up because of other pressures. still working, but I'm still glad I did it.
Printmiss has a point too, but some of us can't take her advice and ease up on ourselves.

Hello holdthetonic. This feels familiar. I think that life stages, including the impact of menopause, can trigger regrets. Leaving work also takes us away from a structure that can give meaning, even if no excitement. It's not surprising if there is an impact. Why wouldn't there be? I think you are right about contacting a passion, it really doesn't matter what it is, don't evaluate the worth, just whether you have an interest, something that lifts the spirits. Admin has as much value as any other work role, it's often the unseen cog that keeps the machinery running smoothly. So, yes, be kind to yourself, go with your instincts, it doesn't matter if your first choice isn't the right one, experiment until the joy comes back. Good luck. You can do it!

Thank you all for your kind comments and wisdom- it's nice to know I'm not alone in having these feelings . One of the problems I have is that I feel that my working life (admin) wasn't really of any value as I didn't find it terribly satisfying. Perhaps I need to volunteer my time for something that I'm really passionate about - (the committees I do at the moment are interesting but they don't fulfil a passion.)

I'm worried I'll get to my deathbed and think "oh heck I've wasted that life".

Do you think this type of mood is related to being menopausal..? Would HRT help ? .