Don't work so hard for others, work for yourself and family

It's definitely normal to take a step back of things it will losses the load of the things going on in your life and sometimes you need to take a mental health check brake or just step back in general. Please tlae care of yourself and your loved ones ❤️

by stepping back it now gives you time to do other things or be with others that you didn't have time to do before, you just don't know it yet. It takes time to adjust from something like this, but you will and most enjoy the move once they adjust. When i retired, it took me about a year to adjust the lack of hours that i worked because it just seemed i was on vacation and this would end someday - but NOW, i love the time and lack of rush to do what i want and with whom i want. Give it time to adjust and push yourself to do other things you want to do or want to learn to do......... trust me!

Take time to enjoy something that makes you happy.

Wondered what "Steeping Back" was. I see it should be "stepping back".

yes

It will help if you find a hobby that you like. Even volunteer at an organization that provides you a fulfilling role.

Yes it’s normal! However you have to be creative to utilise that extra time for your own development like research for extra information relevant to your job etc. that way you don’t feel that emptiness (without having to fill that time with extra work). Good Luck!

Yes, it's normal. I was off work due to injury but never went back. It left a huge hole in my life and I wondered what I was going to do with all the extra time I had on my hands, but gradually other things fill the hours and now I don't know how I ever had the time to go to work. My diary and my life are quite full.

t is normal. You have been running on adrenaline for a long time so it will be hard to slow down. This is the best thing for your overall health. It takes time to adjust to a new normal.

It is normal. You have been running on adrenaline for a long time so it will be hard to slow down. This is the best thing for your overall health. It takes time to adjust to a new normal.

Yes, it is very normal. A few years back I was working 60 hour weeks on night shift and it was very stressful and exhausting. When I stopped and became a stay at home Mum only working 5 hours a week I had the same experience.

yes

The body and brain need to adjust and retrain it will take time but will fade in the down time find something that brings calm and peace and this will help you to take each day as it comes and work life will be at a pace that will be a healthy place. Edited 11-Sep-24 19:21pm

Quite normal..you are probably wondering if this other person is doing as good a job as you did...don't worry, it's not your problem now. Enjoy the extra time you have for yourself..life is short esp when you hit your senior years!Edited 11-Sep-24 19:09pm

Probably, but after working until I was 72, I am thoroughly enjoying doing much less of what I had to do, and a lot more of what I want to do. Have a hobby? Have a skill you like to do? Do more of the things you enjoy! ;-D

There is definitely an adjustment period but you will get there. What can you do with the extra time you have now that you have a less intense role. You will find yourself enjoying that spare time when you can do different activities that you want to. Good on you for making the change before completely burning out and knowing yourself what a great act of self care. Best wishes to you.

It took about 3 months to finally realize that I was RETIRED! I then went for long walks with friends each day and joined a local gardening group each week and also enjoyed being able to read books anytime I felt like it. Now that its over 15 years since I retired I wonder how I did all that rushing around in my work years and still had a busy family life.

I reckon it's normal. I did a similar thing, many years ago. I had to start a new career. Completely different.

The adjustment is necessary by the sound of it. If you can take a holiday somewhere for 2-3 weeks when you can either sit on the beach, read, do a bit of sightseeing etc. but fairly laid back. You have to adjust your brain that it is OK to go slower.

a hobby I have taken up arts and crafts, woodburning,bottle cutting things like that, i have given away most of my finished articles, and the great benefit of that is the local high school has shown interest in bringing me in to help teach kids upcycling, so little things might lead into bigger thingsEdited 11-Sep-24 16:01pm

Yes it is.Enjoy your new position.

Yes, it is normal, take your extra time to spend on you try a wellness class or an art form. Maybe learn a new language. Something to keep you healthy and engaged.

It eventually happens so long as you don't use your spare time on some other hectic pastime.

take the spare time to do something you like

It took ages !! Years in fact to cope with not being fantically busy and stressed out ! Great when you finally achieve it though !!

Apart from my 2 jobs and volunteering, I also engaged in remote phone support to an elderly gentleman who was quite alone in the world. After transitioning to an Aged Care Facility due to a bad fall, the conversations we used to enjoy (nothing was off limits and our chats lasted up to 3.5 hours each week), it was time for me to let go as I finally felt overwhelmed with everything and everyone ..... have not spoken to my recipient for over a year now and feel guilty about not doing so 😧 A text was sent to his mobile explaining my reasons; unfortunately not having a face to face (which I would prefer) is not a viable option - we live 10 hours apart. Maybe one day I will get up the courage to phone him again ........ 😟 I am also pondering on whether to let one of my other jobs go; distance is becoming an issue there and back plus time the Client's needs/wants are becoming too much for one Support Worker (me) to handle.

Well stepping back sounds like a good idea as you don't want to burn out and it is better for your mental health. Spend time with family and friends, why does your life have to be about work all the time? Enjoy your self as you don't want to end up in hospital or worse dead. Sounds like a stressful job and there's no shame in having a break and I am sure once in a routine again your feels will settle down. Stay active and sit in the sunshine once in a while.

Enjoy it while it lasts.

just go steep a teabag and love life

Volunteer or take up something you enjoy that is relaxing. Tai Chi or water aerobics are good things to do, gentle ,sociable and good for the mind.

Yep you are normal, same would go for people who loose their jobs. No more routine or job to fill in the day. My ex father inlaw was a bank manager for 40 years, when he retired he always said he couldn't believe he had done so much in a day when working because now he was retired he had less time to watch all his rugby and enter competitions and couldnt fit it into his day lolEdited 11-Sep-24 13:47pm

I say it's completely normal. You have to give yourself some time to adjust, then ask yourself the same question. It'll work out, I'm sure. Edited 11-Sep-24 13:26pm

Yes, it's somewhat normal. Feeling burned out and then wanting more may well be on the 'not so normal' side. Most people like to be busy, wanted and/or appreciated. You left your job for a reason. Don't disregard your instincts and end up in the same situation. If you must do "something" try to volunteer somewhere. You'll be challenged, tested, teaching, helping to provide a worthwhile service that otherwise would go wanting. Your collective skills and experience could prove to be invaluable to others.

Enjoy life a little now, its not all about work

Do some gardening,read a book,help out at retirement village If you have craft knowledge offer to teach/show young kids how to knit,sew,or even paint can you use your work experience ,Join a singing group .The choice is endless

Had a spot of trouble understanding Steeping but when I realised it was supposed to be stepping......I did much the same after being in charge of ships with 25 crew and cargos sometimes exceeding many millions in value. Add the perils of the oceans and pirates and such and.... you get the picture. I have a small shore job now unrelated to the sea, I have a dog and I exercise way more than I did. I get up early, face the day and a faithful dog who never judges me. It is thoroughly normal to feel not busy enough...but... enjoy the fact that there isn't a noose around your neck. Oh and I have hobbies that I couldn't indulge in at sea. I have learned to switch off, and when storms come with massive wind and rain, I don't have to brace myself.

Enjoy your self

H

I've been retired for 17 years and still miss work.

It will take a while to adjust. If you are wanting to fill a void that work was occupying, fill that void with things that interest you & are a benefit to your time eg, start a new hobby, study something of interest to you (even if it is not for career advancement), volunteer, get out in nature, exercise and let your body recover from being burnt out. Most of all, be kind to yourself.

Enjoy your leisure. You have earned it.

Rachel Give it time - you have moved away from your "intense role" for a reason and yes you are struggling to adjust but you will - so take your time and you will find that you will find something to occupy your spare time.

Awsome

Fill the free time doing something positive with your friends and family ❤️

I had a similar situation, working 10 days straight and up to 10 hours per day. I certainly found out what burn out was. I left after four years without even looking for a new position. I am currently enjoying doing DIY projects at home and down which is the best thing I did. Take up a hobby or just enjoy any down time you get it will make a huge difference.

Normal and enjoy it.

Get a hobby. Connect with nature. Do some volunteer work

I had to step away from my job for several reasons. It has been an adjustment but as time passes, I find myself settling into new roles/responsibilities. Allow yourself the time to let go and to start anew. Best wishes!

Hi

Our life is all about adjusting to changes. The job does not define you as a person. Take care of yourself health wise and enjoy life, Best wishes!

Easily it felt great to step down and not be the Go To Person who is supposed to Know it all. Of course it doesn't last any length of time as someone from your past will drop you in it and the situation will return to the Bad Old Days so my advice is make the most of the easy life while you can because it's not going to last.

It is perfectly normal to feel like this. I had intended to work till I died, however my body didn't let this happen. After working 6 to 7 days per week up to 16 hours per day, it was a real shock. While you are young enuf, try to find a hobby/hobbies some which you can continue into retirement-may help

You are not defined by your job, its only a small part of who you are, I recently changed jobs my new job is about half the work load and a bit boring, BUT.....I have weekends off which means I can spend more time with my wife and kids.

Never worked in a demanding job. So I really can't answer that.

Mais oui pourquoi pas ca fait du bien de prendre son temps

I much prefer to have time to think when I had a plumbing business then retired I had the same feeling Just enjoying retirement now

Take life one steep at a time. Steep by steep. At 45 I steeped right back and retired. (or is that reetireed)😁😁Edited 11-Sep-24 08:01am

HI JANN R , TY

I guess there was no word/grammar checker. So many regrets over decisions made........?

It is normal. Believe me. You will get used to it and adjust.

I have never been in that sort of job so I cant really help you with but I would just enjoy my work and then enjoy the time I had to myself for other things I liked to do just enjoy your life

Learning mindfulness, living in the present can be challenging, however well worth practicing, with time and new interests your mind and body will thank you for it. I did experience work place burnout after many years in roles of responsibility, 3 years later and retirement I’m grateful for a more relaxed life style…

Find a hobby that you have always be interested and never had time to do it. Or go to the gym to keep fit and busy and maybe tire you out a little.

I also stepped back from a very busy role….my kids grew up now and found myself doing new hobbies like exercise gardening and building dollhouses. Find something that you enjoy and do it…

I used to work long hours like you and juggle being a mum and full time carer of my elderly grandfather. I did burn out. I ended up with Narcolypsy and Cataplexy. Not the worst condition to have,but left me unable to work completely. I found time for other interests instead. For me it was art,meditation, excersize and family time. It takes a while to get your head around it. Try making a list of all the things you haven't done or tried,even things you enjoy. If your used to a timetable try using it to set times for activity's and make sure you put in time for yourself to relax. Sign up for groups, go somewhere you have never been. It is endless. Just remember it's meant to be enjoyable,so make it so. Good luck.

Maybe time to explore a new hobby with your spare time.

Find a hobby, something you enjoy to fill in the time. Do something for yourself.

Give it some time and take a break

Slow your brain down with quietness first and connect with nature or the Holy Spirit. You will eventually find your new norm.

creativity

'Steeping back'? i thought this might be a discussion about how to make a good cup of tea!?! guess not...maybe it should be about spelling or grammer...

Extra time for you.

Yes this is normal. Take your 3xtra time for you.

just enjoy your days and relax and all is normal

Take this time to think about yourself.take a break,go to the spa,relax, just focus on things that make you happy.

Spell check, people!

r u doing something for yourself ? going for a coffee break ? getting fresh air ?

I definitely understand this feeling…I found going for a walk daily was very helpful at keeping me focused on me and my family.

One, I have been retired for 26 years and counting. Two, I do not miss working. Three, I cannot answer your question about working. Four, not 'in love' with working - took an early retirement! Last, I NEVER worked 60 hours a week as described in your scenario.Edited 11-Sep-24 14:31pm