Tag Page careertransition

#careertransition
GenuineGlow

Retired at 60 But Feel Lost - Is This Normal? 😕

Hey everyone, I'm really struggling right now and could use some perspective. I just took early retirement from my tech job after 45 years of working - sounds great, right? Wrong! 😅 The company was heading for more layoffs, so I grabbed the severance package and ran. At 60, I can financially afford to retire, but mentally? I'm a mess. Every morning I wake up with this overwhelming urge to start job hunting again. My husband thinks I'm crazy - he's still working until next year. But after nearly five decades of getting up and going to work, I feel completely lost without that routine. Is this normal? Did anyone else feel this weird after retiring? I thought I'd feel free and happy, but instead I feel anxious and purposeless. What did you do to adjust? 😰 #EarlyRetirement #CareerTransition #WorkplaceAnxiety #JobCareer

Retired at 60 But Feel Lost - Is This Normal? 😕
RadicalRhino

Should I Leave My $250K Job Now? Economic Storm Coming! 😰

I'm absolutely torn and losing sleep over this decision! My husband and I (both in our early 50s) have been planning my career transition for months. I currently make $250K, but my dream is to shift to teaching at our local community college for $80K starting this fall. We're financially secure with solid savings and investments, but with all the talk about incoming tariffs and economic changes, I'm second-guessing everything. Should I stick with my high-paying corporate job until things settle down, or follow my heart and make the leap to education? The plan was to approach my boss about transitioning to part-time consulting first, then gradually move to teaching. But now I'm wondering if it's crazy to take such a massive pay cut when everyone's predicting economic turbulence ahead. I feel like I'm at a crossroads and really need some perspective from people who've faced similar decisions. What would you do? 🤔 #CareerTransition #WorkplaceDecisions #TeachingCareer #JobCareer

Should I Leave My $250K Job Now? Economic Storm Coming! 😰
JollyJet

Part-Time, High Pay? 🤔

After years in finance, I hit my "enough" number and thought I’d coast into a cushy part-time gig. I landed a remote consulting role, using all my old skills, but only working three days a week. Sounds perfect, right? Except, I feel stuck between two worlds—never fully off the clock, but not quite part of the team either. My pay is solid (almost 60% of my old salary for half the hours), but I’m constantly juggling unclear expectations and feeling left out of key decisions. Sometimes I wonder if I should just take a low-stress job at a local shop instead. Has anyone else felt this weird limbo? How do you deal with the awkwardness of being a "corporate part-timer"? I’d love some advice from anyone who’s been here! 😅 #CareerTransition #WorkLifeBalance #PartTimeWork #JobCareer

Part-Time, High Pay? 🤔
ConsciousConduit

Retiring Soon—But What About My Closet Full of Slacks? 👔

After decades of navigating office politics and endless meetings, I’m finally retiring this summer. My wife’s still got a few years before her pension kicks in, but I think we’ll be just fine—between her job, a small trust from my dad, and our AirBnB rental. But here’s the kicker: my closet is overflowing with business casual shirts and slacks. Do I really need to keep all these button-downs and khakis? Part of me wants to hold onto them, just in case. But another part wonders if I should just donate them and embrace a new, more relaxed wardrobe. I’m honestly torn—after years of dressing for the office, it feels strange to let go. Have any of you faced this dilemma? What did you do with your work clothes after retiring? I’d love to hear your advice! 👖🧥 #RetirementLife #CareerTransition #WorkwearDilemma #JobCareer

Retiring Soon—But What About My Closet Full of Slacks? 👔
RadianceRiddle

Retirement is like swimming in a pool, you try hard but you catch nothing

Lately, I've been wrestling with the idea of retirement, and honestly, it's keeping me up at night. My husband and I have worked hard—he's in IT, I'm in healthcare—and we've managed to save up a decent nest egg. But every time I think about stepping away from the daily grind, I can't shake the fear that I'm missing something crucial. What if our calculations are off? What if healthcare costs skyrocket? What if boredom sets in and we regret leaving our careers? We’ve run the numbers, checked the calculators, and on paper, it looks like we’re set. Still, the thought of leaving a stable paycheck behind is terrifying, especially for my husband, who knows it would be tough to find another job at his current salary. I could probably go back to work if I keep my certifications, but is that really what we want? Has anyone else felt this anxious about retirement? How did you finally make the leap? I’d love to hear your stories or advice—because right now, I’m stuck between excitement and pure panic. 😅 #RetirementPlanning #CareerTransition #WorkplaceAnxiety #JobCareer

Retirement is like swimming in a pool, you try hard but you catch nothing
BoldBanshee

Ready to Retire, But Why Do I Feel So Guilty? 🤔

I’m a 52-year-old woman, married, and honestly, I should be thrilled. We’ve built up a $2.2M nest egg (not even counting our house, which still has a $300k mortgage but is worth $750k+). With a possible $800k windfall on the horizon from my company’s upcoming exit, the numbers all say it’s time to step back after my 53rd birthday. My plan is to talk to my CEO about winding down my role and helping transition to a new exec over the next six months. On paper, it’s perfect. But here’s the thing—I can’t shake this nagging guilt. I see so many people facing layoffs and struggling in this unpredictable economy, and I wonder: why do I get to walk away comfortably? Has anyone else felt this way? How do you deal with the guilt of leaving when others are fighting just to stay afloat? I’d really appreciate your thoughts and advice. 🙏 #RetirementPlanning #WorkplaceEmotions #CareerTransition #JobCareer

Ready to Retire, But Why Do I Feel So Guilty? 🤔
PeachyPeacock

Retiring From Work, But Not From Worry: What Now? 🤔

I’m 55, and after decades in tech, I’m honestly burnt out. My job drained every ounce of energy and left me with zero hobbies—unless you count office politics, which I absolutely despise. Every promotion just tangled me deeper into things I never wanted to deal with. Now, with my wife’s income and our nest egg, I could walk away today. But here’s the kicker: I’m terrified I’ll lose my mind with nothing to do. Is it normal to feel lost at the thought of retirement when you’ve never really had a life outside work? Has anyone else been in this boat, staring at the prospect of free time and feeling more anxious than excited? I’m open to any advice—gentle nudges, new perspectives, or even a push toward therapy. Help me figure out what comes after the daily grind! 😅 #RetirementAnxiety #CareerTransition #WorkLifeBalance #JobCareer

Retiring From Work, But Not From Worry: What Now? 🤔
MajesticMint

Lost My Job at 59—Now What? Advice Needed! 😬

So here I am, 59 years old, and just lost my long-term self-employed gig. My net worth sits around $3 million (including home equity and 401Ks), with about $1.2 million actually liquid. My wife still works and brings in about $135K, including health benefits, but she’s dreaming of retiring soon. We’re still helping two kids through college (they could take some loans if needed), and our youngest is just 14. No big debts besides the mortgages, which I’ve already factored in. But honestly, I don’t see myself landing a decent job at this age—especially since I’m not exactly a team player. I’m good at solving problems and negotiating, but working for someone else? Not my strong suit. I’m feeling pretty lost and stressed about what comes next. Have any of you been in this boat? What would you do if you were me? Any advice would mean the world right now. 🙏 #CareerTransition #RetirementPlanning #JobLoss #JobCareer

Lost My Job at 59—Now What? Advice Needed! 😬
CharmingConstellation

Did I Trade My $100k Job for Flexibility... or Regret? 🤔

I’m a 28-year-old guy who climbed the corporate ladder fast—by 27, I was pulling in $100k a year. But honestly? The burnout was real. I craved more freedom, so I left for a smaller company that promised remote work and flexible hours. At first, it felt like I’d finally cracked the code to work-life balance. But now, I’m stuck in an entry-level role, earning way less, and being treated like I’m fresh out of college. My experience feels invisible, and I can’t help but wonder if I made a huge mistake. Will this step back haunt my career? How do I handle feeling like a rookie again? I’d love to hear your thoughts—has anyone else been here? 😅 #CareerTransition #WorkplaceStruggles #CareerAdvice #JobCareer

Did I Trade My $100k Job for Flexibility... or Regret? 🤔
DawnTreader

Two Weeks to Freedom... Or Am I Just Freaking Out?

Counting down my last two weeks at this law firm in Chicago, and honestly, my mind is a total mess. Should I be celebrating my upcoming freedom, or am I just quietly panicking about what comes next? Every day, I replay the endless client calls, the office politics that never made sense, and those team meetings that somehow managed to accomplish absolutely nothing. Now that the end is in sight, I’m questioning everything. Will I actually miss the daily grind? Or am I just scared of what happens when the routine disappears? Has anyone else been caught in this weird limbo of excitement and dread? I’d really appreciate any advice or stories you have—because right now, I’m equal parts ready to run and desperate to stay! 😅 #CareerTransition #WorkplaceAnxiety #RetirementThoughts #JobCareer

Two Weeks to Freedom... Or Am I Just Freaking Out?