Retirement On Hold: Am I crazy?
by I can't quit a lousy job!
(Canada)
I worked at a big company for some 35 years until a new boss came along, then the 10 of us old-timers were deemed to be 'too old' and were shown the door with a so-so severance package.
The older ones went on pensions. I, being the youngest, in my mid-50's, was lost. Couldn't find another job as other companies found me too old/ not have the right experiences/ not a right fit. It was very discouraging.
Kids all grown and I've enough to live on. But I could only go on so many trips before I feel totally useless and a sense that I'm not contributing in society.
I finally found an "occasional, casual, P/T" low-paid job that in fact, is forcing me to work 10 hours a day, even though I don't want the OT! No choice! It's very physical and I could barely manage the work load.
But it's the only place that would take me on, in my late 50's! I am afraid to quit as it took me 2 whole years to find a firm that would take me!
As someone who used to juggle 2 jobs many times in my life (many kids and husband didn't make much), I'm totally lost without paid work.
I'm basically afraid of 'no work, no entity, no use in life...' (psyche issue, I know...) I’m hoping that when I turn 60 this year, I’d be in a better frame of mind to finally quit for good.
Am I the only one with this kind of issue here? My kids think there is something wrong with me ---they want to chip in money to pay me to quit before I hurt myself working like a maniac! (I wouldn’t let them.)
