Anonymous wrote:This is why I'm glad I never stopped working.

stfu.

You sound depressed, OP. You need to look around at the world and find something that excites you. There are so many needs in the world, and if you don't need to work for money, certainly there are things you can do to make the world a better place. Perhaps that does involve some more education or training, or perhaps you need to get outside of yourself and see what you can do with the skills and talents you have.

I am about your age, but I still have young children. I am not working, and I'd like to find work, but there are so many hindrances at this point. I've been volunteering with an eye toward networking so I can find work one day. I find that if I treat volunteering as a real "job" I take it seriously and put much more energy into it. Suddenly, you realize how much you can get done, and how valuable your work is, whether or not you are paid for it.

It's hard to find good volunteer jobs, but not as hard as finding a paying job. And you have to pay your dues, even in a volunteer job. I learned this the hard way. It's a lesson I will never forget.

What do you care about, OP? I love clean food, animals, the environment, green living. I volunteer in these areas, and in my small way, I know I make a difference. I wish I were able to have a larger impact on the world, but I'm doing my best at the moment, and that's something I can be proud of. You should try it, OP. It will do you a world of good.

I'm 55 also and my youngest just left for college 2 months ago. I don't have much advice for you because I've worked outside the home for 30 years, so I'm not suffering too much. Volunteer more? Spend more time with friends? Travel?

I feel like you OP, blah. I've already worked in 4 different industries successfully and traveled. Thank goodness for my children, we had them late in life that helped refreshed my outlook in life. I was mega bored before. Volunteering is a good option just don't over commit. Try volunteermatch.org

I will tell you what I would do. I would ramp up my exercise program and I would learn to really cook well.

58 and retiring on 11/25/2011. Whoo hoo! My to do list is a mile long.

Volunteering DOES produce something, in a big way. Just ask those that get meals through meals on wheels, children that are tutored, libraries/museums/theaters that are staffed with volunteers, or owners of homes built through Habitat through Humanity. Just because volunteering doesn't produce income doesn't mean it isn't hugely important.

In addition to volunteering, you need a hobby that produces something. Otherwise, please come to my house and take care of a two parent working family.

I agree with volunteering. Or take a class in something you've always been interested in? Do you have any hobbies? If not, why not take something up. Golf? tennis? ballroom dancing? knitting? quilting?

I think it's good to continually move forward. Find a few things you like and do them. Some ideas:

1. walking club
2. book club
3. tutoring the disadvantaged
4. collecting food for Thanksgiving and Christmas

OP, I've been working all this time but I had a major career disappointment and just accepted it and made sacrifices for the sake of my family. I'm also going through a "now what" phase. It doesn't feel safe to try to change careers with the economy such as it is right now and I don't know how successful I would be at my age.

Good luck, OP. I think it is a good idea to get involved in some kind of new volunteering. Hope you find something that you like!

This is why I'm glad I never stopped working.

I agree with pp, help others!

First of all, stop feeling sorry for yourself. Be VERY glad that you don't have to work; realize that you're in the minority among older women. You're fortunate.

What else are you doing with your time besides activities at church? Do you like children? You don't have to wait until you're a grandmother to be around children. Why don't you become a literacy tutor or volunteer at a hospital? Really, the most gratifying work is to serve others, and there are plenty of people in need nowadays.

I am 55 and feel so in between 2 phases of life. A lot of my current are friends because our children were friends in high school. Now that the kids are off at college, I feel like I have nothing in common with them.

I have been a stay at home Mom for 29 years so I don't have great computer skills and cannot compete with younger applicants. I do not want to go to school. I don't want to or have to work. I have been getting involved in different activities at church, etc., but I find since I no longer have kids at home and I'm not a grandmother, I'm in between.

Just venting....can anyone relate?