I am new here......feeling old and worn out

[Oldgirlsuzie]

Less than 3 years until I can retire. I still work full time and am finding it harder and harder to drag myself out of bed and go to work. I feel worn out all the time and just want to stay in. When I look to the future I panic........living on a state pension worries me and spending the rest of my life without a partner.

[Suzie40]

Hello, and welcome! I'm sure you'll meet lots of lovely people here; I have.

You don't have to spend the rest of your life lonely - there are lots of ways to meet people, either new friends or prospective partners x

[hypercat54]

Hi don't forget that when you retire you shouldn't pay rent (or not much), council tax (unless you have other income apart from state pension, or savings over £16,000). You also won't pay income tax or National Insurance tax either. You will have no fares to work or need so many new clothes. x

[Blueshirt]

I took early retirement a couple of years ago, (I'm 63 now). It wasn't my plan, nor my idea. I'd intended to work until I was at least 70. But I was forced out of a job that I loved by new management when I disagreed with their new policies.

Retirement scared me; and pretty much for the reasons you say. There are challenges; and it's easy to feel lonely and isolated; and scared.

But, it's great not to be beholden to management. Great to be able to do what you want when you want.

And in many areas free travel. So you can wander off and visit new places and discover new things about places you always thought you knew.

You will meet new people and you will make new friends.

You won't need anywhere near as much money and you will have time to shop around and buy more cheaply than when you're working.

Most importantly you can relax and enjoy each day as it comes along. Just get up, and get going. There are some lovely people out there; some lovely people on here.

Good luck

[Satsuma]

Looking to the future can create blind panic .. Thing is though it has not arrived yet so please enjoy the here and now for this is all we have .. I've been guilty of thinking too far ahead and worrying incessantly and it has robbed me of precious time needed to focus on what what right in front of me .. Many of us sail in the same boat .. Like the other replies to your post basically said Freedom awaits .. We can change our thoughts about retirement .. But for now dismiss the worry .. Maybe put away a few quid here and there to help .. See it as a Freedom Fund maybe and create some excitement for it .. Woohoo .. It is gonna be ok really .. We are all behind you

[Satsuma in reply to Satsuma]

Plus you may not spend the rest of your life without a partner .. Worrying about that serves absolutely no purpose .. You could meet them today .. Who knows .. Just for today enjoy time getting to know yourself a little more .. You might discover something some more strengths and weaknesses you did not know you had which will serve you incredibly well