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Work/volunteering

Feeling totally burnt out at 59?

(28 Posts)
seadragon Tue 20-May-25 19:37:48

I reached a similar place, in my hitherto fulfilling career as a social worker, in my late 50s. My manager triggered my dissociation by telling me creativity is a luxury in Social Work. My career to that point has been fueled by creativity in meeting need with innovation where necessary. I checked my pension fund took early retirement at 62, moved with DH hundreds of miles to help with first grandbaby. I did business training intending to use my interest in felt making to make a living but got side tracked into a venture which had to be shelved at the start of the pandemic. By then we had found we could easily live on our - small pensions - . My business partner had undertaken further training in non profit business and now runs a very successful mental health project with significant funding from the NHS. I have never regretted walking away from the career I loved and feel further vindicated at every family gathering where we now have 3 grandchildren...

lafergar Tue 20-May-25 18:59:24

Could you be creative.....e.g rent out rooms/host students/ do freelance?

What a disgrace that we have to wait to 66.

ElaineMcG47 Tue 20-May-25 18:51:26

I wrote here before am working in the NHS as a CBT therapist and then travelling back home to Ireland every second weekend. I am moving home in June. I'm happy about it, but I have no job lined up - difficult to get at 59. However, I feel totally burn out and don't think I could work as a CBT therapist agaTin, or do any form of counselling. I feel quite anxious now meeting new clients. I never had this before. Has anyone who worked in a similar therapeutic position ever felt burnt out by it. CBT therapist should be an ideal career to work to retirement - State pension at 66, but I just can't imagine doing it. I have savings enough to last me for two years. I have had other stressors such as brining up children on my own, and one of them still being in college and I don't qualify for grants for college for my child. Just wondered if any one had such feelings about one;s job.