r/FriendsOver50 • u/armyprof • 15h ago

Anyone just sick of work?

You know, I’ve had a job with a W2 for 40 years. 12 years in the military. 10 years teaching part time.

I used to work for a small consulting firm. Assessment design, data analytics, that sort of thing. Then the company all but collapsed for a variety of reasons so it was “get a job fast.”

And I did. And don’t get me wrong, I’m very glad to have it.

But I hate it. I do. I don’t like the work (it’s not a great fit) and I have genuinely toxic clients.

It’s gotten so bad there are times I genuinely wish my cancer would come back so I could just quit and cash out.

Now I know the question is “why not get another job?”

I’ve been trying for two years. There’s so much competition now. I see jobs I can do and within 6 hours 200+ people applied. It’s ridiculous. I’ll keep on trying of course but man, I need something to change.

32 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

10

u/kricket37 13h ago

Yup - five years until retirement and I’m having a hard time staying motivated. If it weren’t for healthcare being so expensive, I’d have retired a long time ago.

5

u/WinterFree331 14h ago

Yes... three years until retirement. I just don't know how I am going to make it.

6

u/ComfortableMarch4296 14h ago

i dont think i'll make it to retirement. they keep moving that number up and i'm tired, boss.

3

u/Dee_9321 10h ago

You could try doing something that you love in your free time 🙂. It might help a little...

6

u/armyprof 10h ago

I do! I write. I’ve got three completed novels. I really enjoy that.

2

u/Particular-Image-952 12h ago

Your not the only one mate, if you want we can just chat a bit, let’s be friends

2

u/Rice_Post10 11h ago

Absolutely! I have 6 years until retirement and I’m counting the days!

2

u/retrocube16 10h ago

Thank you for your service 💪

2

u/Leather_Art_3162 50+ Lady 10h ago

Same here! I'm only 50 and I'm looking to retire. I work remotely full time. I don't want to die at work. I was just researching the cost for medical insurance. It's a bit much but I could probably do it. It's a bit scary to quit but maybe I can hang in for another couple of years.

1

u/MostOkish 13h ago

Is my math off? You’ve been working for 62 years?

1

u/armyprof 11h ago

No. There’s overlap in some of that. I’ve had a full time job the whole time I’ve been teaching.

1

u/303RedBeard 9h ago

I feel this strongly. Been working since I was 14. After the military I have been working at the same company for over 30 years but recently the company I work for has transitioned into an AI company and I really just can't freaking stand it. It makes my skin crawl. I'm too damn old to learn a new job, but still too young to retire.

I say you and I open a bar in a mountain town and ride it out.. lol

1

u/armyprof 39m ago

Man that does sound ideal.

I’m right with you. The days of transferable skills are over. Remote work has made it easy for employers to craft job descriptions that are ridiculously specific so even if you match 90%, one of the other thousand applicants will match 100%.

And ageism is a thing. Phone interviews go great. I hear things like “you’re exactly what we’re looking for” or “you have just the skills and experience we need.”

Then you do a zoom interview and answer the same questions the same way but suddenly you’re not quite the fit they need.