Thinking about college to retrain, feeling a bit down again and worrying about what jobs i could do...

[fibrogirl41]

Hi everyone, hope you are okay, i am thinking of going back to college, yes even at my age, i have done some online courses, one in cyber security and data security im doing at the moment. I wanted to do an access course or something that would lead me to cybersecurity degrees in the future or should i do something else creative? I also worry about jobs i can do i did well when i mentioned i went to cranfield for a few hours and was okay, but my legs felt a bit sore after but i did itx i miss it there but wondering if i could work at home or parttime or something im not sure. Feeling a bit tearful but trying to think positive as i have come along way after 3years of fibro, i keep having money worries and whether ill ever move out the house, sorry for ranting but had to write down how i felt, dont know what to do, any advice welcome x😔❤️❤️😊

[Oshgosh]

you’re allowed to rant.the nature if our diagnoses means that we need to rant for our own sanity.

It’s good that you’re doing stuff online- it’s good for your brain.

I hope you’re ok xx

[fibrogirl41 in reply to Oshgosh]

Im a bit tearful but ok, thank you for your kind message x❤️😊😔

[Tisme72]

That’s not a rant! Letting off steam more like, and that’s good for the soul!

Good idea to get back into education, it gives your brain something else to think about and focus on rather than pain; I am and always have been a habitual learner for my own sanity, I’ve been up to all sorts of things. I think that in your situation it would be good to get a qualification if you feel up to it, it can mean long hours of study and research but at the end of it you can get an up to date meaningful qualification. The one important thing is to make sure that it’s something that you have a serious interest in, if not sit down and have a really good think about it; if you’re definitely certain that it’s for you then go ahead and make arrangements to get onto a course.

I’m lucky in that respect, I’m too old to work now so can do anything I fancy and not have any implications of doing it; I just have fun 😁 which again is good for the soul!

Good luck with it and always remember that if you want it enough you will do it!

[fibrogirl41 in reply to Tisme72]

Thankyou, i hope i do something, although the courses are quite expensive x

[Gigiruth]

Hi Fibrogirl41Good to be positive, you haven't lost your skills and experience with Fibro you just need to use them differently.

I have had diagnosis since 2010 and changed career because of health. I retrained in my 40's and also training in additional skills since in my 60's.

National careers have links to skills assessments and job profiles.

If anyone wants to do free courses look for free courses on the open learn/open university website.

Some industries offer free training from home.

There are more jobs based at home now if you check them out carefully.

I am now self employed from home and choose my own hours.

Fibro can be all consuming and pacing and flexibility is important. I have had times when work was just not an option.

I hope you find the right training and work for you.

Never forget what you have to offer.

Take care

Gigi

[fibrogirl41 in reply to Gigiruth]

Thankyou for the advice and im glad you do something thats right for you, what do you do if youdont mind me asking x

[Gigiruth in reply to fibrogirl41]

I work on the telephone in mental health support. I did my training over a number of years. My daughter also works from home for a water company.I hope you find something that suits.

Cyber security sounds useful. I hope you find something that suits.

Take care Gigi

[Carlt]

What a fantastic and inspiring ambition!

I think it is too easy for us to give up and say "That's it for me...I'm done!"

I'm afraid I don't have any advice for you academically but when my legs hurt after overdoing it I have discovered air compression foot and leg massagers which work like blood pressure cuffs, inflating and deflating to massage and improve circulation.

It feels a bit like having someone massaging your legs without the "Has it stopped hurting yet?" or "Can I stop now?" bits.

[Smilesalot]

Hi sweetie fibrogirl41🤗❤,I wish I had half of your ambition😊.

Well done you doing the courses🙂

Be proud of yourself sweetie 🤗.

I couldn't do what ur doing as I seem to be in an almost permanent flare.

Ur brave and ur entitled to some tears while you straighten things out in ur mind and life.

I cry a lot to.

It's a miserable day and I'm so cold brrr. But the geese and ducks made me laugh demanding seed by pecking on the door lol.

I've slipped up and let myself down by having some morphine cubes. Anyway how are you after your baby rant😉?

I hope you're ok and doing well sweetie 🙂Dawn🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🙏🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[fibrogirl41 in reply to Smilesalot]

Hi thankyou for your message, im ok but a little tearful, hope you are okay and thanks for the hug emojis, i like the comment about the geese x 🤣🤣

[Smilesalot in reply to fibrogirl41]

Lol one of these days they'll stay still so I can take pictures of them. I should be able to when it warns up🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗.I'm sorry ur still tearful sweetie😢.

I'm currently way too tired to cry at the moment.

You rest up if you can hugs🤗🤗🤗

[fibrogirl41 in reply to Smilesalot]

Bless u x hope youll be okay, thanks for your message i teared up again x💕🤣😔😊

[DoubleMalibu]

A new direction is both daunting and exciting.

Challenging our minds is positive.

Guess if you are serious, you have to weigh up whether your level of fibromyalgia can cope with it all.

It’s a challenge just being responsible for our home, raising our children & keeping a relationship together when you have fibro isn’t it?

I’ve had fibromyalgia many years & M.E over 35yrs.

only you know whether your condition is manageable enough, so you can manage all your responsibilities of a home life and training for a new job.

How’s the housekeeping going?

Are you back full time now & has it impacted your fibromyalgia?

hope you’ve settled back ok

Good luck ☘️

[fibrogirl41 in reply to DoubleMalibu]

I had a phone call, they said i did well, but couldnt accommodate me at the moment. I hope the future wilk hold sonething good x 💕😔😭

[Smilesalot in reply to fibrogirl41]

Sweetie I'm sorry you didn't get it. Don't give up!🤗🤗🤗🙂😊😁🤗

[DoubleMalibu in reply to fibrogirl41]

Sounds like you have made a start on the cyber security, so hopefully you can add to that & something good can come from your effort.

You can get apprenticeship degrees at any age, depends on what commitment you can give with your level of fibro, without putting too much pressure on your health.

Never give up on anything that you hope for

Best wishes

[KimiJay]

Going by the number of people in our village that my husband who also has experience in forensic computing is shocked by the irrationality (polite words used here) of the programming in many websites, quite often helps with their computer problems. Maybe you could consider putting the organisational skills you already have to providing people who struggle with their computers to solve some problems. Some may not be able to pay a lot but may also want to reciprocate in other ways that reflect their own expertise. (Sometimes you can have too many shoulders of lamb but the fresh vegetables are always very welcome), and the friendships.

Other people/organisations like village halls would also like to set up websites but may not have time or capability to do it all. My son has also done this and has also had his own websites which you can sell on if you want to. - Suggesting this as it sounds like you already have a lot of strengths and have the kind of skills that would also keep you in the community. You are already equipped to fly already by the sound of it.

Meanwhile, I am quite lucky to be able to call pathetically for help as in 'Is it ok just to delete this spam?' ... I really can't follow what stuff means anymore as I am ageing, currently stressed and can't take the heat and the anxiety so much anyway, but as you age it's important to be able to stay in touch with the world and you value someone you can trust with a password. -

We have the NEXTDOOR website flourishing locally. People offer their services and skills on that a lot. ...

Meanwhile, good luck with your new courses. They should prove supportive too I hope. Go for it! Take breaks if you need to and can negotiate those so you can finish up with the new skills that attract you.

[bigalan]

I agree, Go for it. I did a College course in 2017 i am now working at the college i studied at.😀 But remember to pace yourself.

[fibrogirl41 in reply to bigalan]

Thats great, what did you do?

[bigalan]

I did a level 3 motor vehicle course and a teaching certificate. I now give Lecturers on how to repair cars. Best thing i ever did.

[fibrogirl41 in reply to bigalan]

Good for you, i hope illdo something although the courses i want are expensive x

[oldwomaninpain]

might be some free short courses here futurelearn.com/courses but the Open University has loads of courses and you might be able to claim monies for fees from council - not sure

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