topic Let me entertain you in Welcome and orientation

Let me entertain you

Scotchfinger — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 05:13:38 GMT

Sorry just tried to think of an interesting thread title. 🙂

I'm late fiftees, married no kids. I quit a full-time job in 2014, and haven't really recovered since. Two or three part-time jobs since didn't work out either.

Two words come to mind. Shame and guilt. I wasn't retrenched so I have no excuse. I don't deserve anyone's pity, I know I got myself into this mess. Thing is I'm getting too old and unemployable. And I don't tolerate workplace characters like I used to. people tend to get on my nerves easily these days. Old and grumpy 🙂 I don't think I can take someone micro-managing me anymore, telling me what to do.

I start to think I'm a failure in life at this age. Bit late to be ambitious now. I live on my own savings as my partner works so I don't qualify for Centrelink payments. 2016 is an important year. Will I go up or further down? It is a big concern. Enthusiasm and hope, where are you? I need you now>

But I know some of you are worse off than me. That just makes me more

ashamed of my current situation.

thanks for reading

scotchfinger

Let me entertain you

Guest_1055 — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 08:01:45 GMT

Hey Scotchfinger

I love your chosen username, it reminds me of a biscuit. And you did entertain me with your name. And since I was in a teary mood just know, well you helped me to smile. So thank you...

I cannot offer your any advice or anything, I just wanted you to know how thankful I am for you..... So I am guessing you are not a failure if you can help a teary girl to smile.

Shelley xx

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Scotchfinger — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 09:18:12 GMT

My favourite biscuit. !

Let me entertain you

Elizabeth CP — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 10:01:14 GMT

Hi It is hard when you feel useless & can't see any way forward. I resigned a couple of months ago and sometimes wonder if I did the right thing-I'm 61. My advice is to think back to why you resigned. You must have had a good reason at the time. When you think that you should have done things differently remember you are human and hindsight is a wonderful thing. Cut yourself some slack. Feeling guilty and saying I should have done things different won't help. Think about what do you want to do now& in the future. Life is about more than just work. Questions to consider include: Do I need to earn money or can we manage on our savings now & after retirement age. If money is a real issue then focusing on looking for work even if it means putting up with less desirable work places is needed. What other things do you want to do? Doing meaningful activities will help you feel better about yourself. Do things which you enjoy, things to maintain your health&/or fitness and consider volunteering in something which enables you to feel useful.

As for being óld & unemployable I remember my dad retired at 59 because of ill health and often said afterwards that he didn't know how he ever had time to work because he was so busy doing things which mattered to him. In his case he did woodwork, house renovation, woodwork, cared for my mum, spent time with his grandkids. I imagine you have different talents & interests and maybe some talents & interests you have not discovered yet.

Good luck for the future & remember you are a worthwhile human being regardless of whether you are working or not and regardless of what you do..

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White_Rose — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 10:32:55 GMT

Hello Scotchfinger

They are one of my favourite biscuits also. Not sure if you need to work because of finances or boredom. Can't make any suggestions about finances but if it's boredom what about taking on a volunteering job? Sometimes this leads to paid work.

There are lots of people who are worse off than you but it's no reason to feel ashamed of yourself. Your situation is just that, yours. What others have or don't have is not your concern so stop beating yourself up about it. I can't fly to the moon but it's not a good enough reason to slash my wrists, so to speak.

By the way, I love your picture but I hope it's not the real you.

Stop wasting your energy on regret and consider all your options. Can you start your own business? e.g. lawn mowing/handyman/window cleaner etc. Being your own boss will save you from being micro managed. What about being a taxi driver?

Love to hear from you again.

Mary

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Scotchfinger — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 11:16:45 GMT

thanks mary

ah, I do need an income and my super is negligible because I spent half my working life overseas.

I need to earn at least 40 000 a year to have a reasonable quality of life including travel.

Taxi driving? Oh god, there are so many awful jobs out there. I just couldn't stand rude customers.

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White_Rose — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 05:13:22 GMT

Sorry about the suggestions. Perhaps I was being a bit flippant.I suppose the definition of a reasonable quality of life varies from person to person. Travel is not my thing but books are a different matter. I have expensive hobbies, at least they are expensive to me. I research my family history and spend heaps getting various bits of information.

I have no idea what I would do if I needed to return to the workforce. So I am forced to live on what I have.

For some reason I did not read Elizabeth's post last time but have just read it. I agree with every word.

Keep chatting.

Mary

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Scotchfinger — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 06:31:00 GMT

Elizabeth

Thanks. You made some very good points and have got me thinking more rationally. For some reason I missed your post too.

I think I am afraid of getting to the point where I have to take anything and end up doing some godawful nightmare job, just to pay the bills. And there are plenty of those, I know.

If you saw my true resume, you'd be shocked by the number jobs I've had for short periods then quit.

I don't want to bore you with my whole story, suffice to say that I am originally a primary school teacher who at age 30 decided to go and teach English in Asia. 15 years later I return to Oz and experience major reverse culture shock. The good outweighs the bad here. I mean relatively safe, beaches, green parks. My personality would be best described as an oversensitive loner. I don't roll with the punches that well, and that is what is exactly needed in most jobs. I can empathise well sometimes which made me think I might become a counsellor. Started a Masters but was discouraged by job prospects, cost of the course and one of the lecturers I didn't hit it off with.

Which returns me to entry level jobs. You know I actually enjoyed some cleaning jobs. Ones with low pressure and reasonable time frame. Not ones where you work in teams at 100 mils an hour. I worked full-time in community services for about 5 years until 2014. My particular job was good but I started having clashes with colleagues and got to the point I was dreading going to work. Plus the fact I was always on nightshift, always feeling lethargic and drowsy. that's why I left. I felt like a zombie.A grumpy old zombie who didn't want to work with anyone else in the end. (well mostly)

Not sure I've addresses all your points but thanks anyway.

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Guest_5218 — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 07:40:49 GMT

Hi Scotchfinger,

You have led a very interesting life by the sound of it. Where in Asia did you teach English? I have travelled a bit to Asia, including Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and a few others to a lesser degree. If you stuck at it for 15 years, it must mean that you loved it? Is your wife from Asia?

I like what Elizabeth has written, and I second her suggestion that you concentrate on why you quit your last full time job. There must have been a reason. And if so, what has changed since that you now regret that decision to quit?

I am 56 myself and have had a couple of job changes in the past 6 years. 6 years ago I had to resign from a job I really enjoyed because my husband decided he wanted to retire and move to a better climate. We moved to a small town.

I enrolled in a Volunteer Organisation, where I helped out at Aged Care Facilities several days a week while I was looking for work. After about 6 months, and as a direct result of my volunteer work, I found a great job at a local independent school. No I'm not a teacher! I do clerical work, bookkeeping, reception, etc. I managed to continue my voluntary work in aged care, because I enjoyed it.

When the school closed 3 years later, I was again unemployed. So I increased my voluntary work during the time I wasnt working. I was lucky enough to find another job doing bookkeeping for a local business, and I was there for over 2 years. My boss reached 65 and decided to retire thus selling the business in September this year. Again I was unemployed. I again increased the time I was doing voluntary work at the aged care home. And this time the Voluntary Agency tsuggested that I apply for a job coming up locally for clerical and bookkeeping. I was interviewed and got the job about 10 days ago, and commenced last week. I was lucky.

So if my story is anything to go by, doing voluntary work is of benefit in finding suitable employment. And even though I am again working, I still do my voluntary work. At the moment I am visiting an old lady with no family in the Home on a weekly basis. Usually they just want someone they can talk to, call a friend and, if they are able bodied, to take them out for a cuppa or an outing occasionally. It is very rewarding.

I note that you say that you have empathy, but can be a bit of a loner. Aged care could be something you could consider.

I hope you find something worthwhile and enjoyable for you real soon.

Sherie

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Scotchfinger — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 08:44:54 GMT

Sherie

You've got me thinking about this volunteer work. You sound like a model volunteer/employee though. Not sure I am.

One of the many jobs I've done included Aged Care/door to door /on the road domestic cleaning. Not much time for cuppa tea and chat though, which is what I would've liked. have tried to get back into similar jobs in Aged Care. No luck so far. Tried nursing homes for a while as a support worker until I realised I was expected to change diapers, give medication up to 4 times a day and check BSLs. Huge responsibility for low pay.

I think I mentioned already why I left my full-time job in 2014.

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Scotchfinger — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 09:15:24 GMT

OK I left my fulltime job because:

_ I was fed up with working some of the characters there

_ I was fed up with nightshift and the lethargy that goes with it

_ my boss and I did not get on well. I think he was glad to see me leave.

I miss the job because:

_ the money was great

_ I had time to study at work sometimes

_some positive interaction with the better humoured ones

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Scotchfinger — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 11:49:22 GMT

as if I wrote something inappropriate, one of my posts was edited.

Not sure I'm suited to this forum.

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Guest_5218 — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 11:56:09 GMT

Ha ha, Scotchfinger, I've had some of mind edited as well.

I dont know where you are based, but I would recommend you look up on the internet some of your local Volunteer Organisations. I know voluntary work does not pay the bills, but it could open up other opportunities for you. Either aged care, or perhaps in the youth area if that interests you. I know our local organisation had openings for volunteers in the youth area as well, so perhaps that could be an option for you. It could be tutoring or after school counselling, or something in that line of work. As I said, it could open up new beginnings for you in that you may find something that really interests you, and opportunities may be there. I understand your reluctance with regards your previous support worker duties. But as a volunteer that would not normally be expected. Good luck.

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Scotchfinger — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 00:57:01 GMT

ok thanks sherie

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Pantheress — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:30:52 GMT

Happy new year scotchfinger.

Great money in tutoring. Go for the younger children. They are easier to get along with,smiles.. work your own hours. I was paying 120 an hour to have my 15 year old son tutored in maths twice a week. He passed his exam and I found this worth every cent. Or if you Google you will find company's who will put you on their books and consult with you on tutoring blocks. Which also saves you getting you own customers. At the university's you will find a notice board with overseas students requesting tuition in basic English. Also due to you teaching overseas I wonder if you have a 2nd language? As this is also in huge demand. Interpreters are always sort by government agencies such as centrelink and normally done over the phone to different parts of Australia. We all have wonderful skills that we take for granted, therefore not seeing the value in what we have. Anyway food for thought. Have a great day

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Scotchfinger — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 09:08:39 GMT

Thanks for your input Pantheress.

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Guest_5218 — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 09:24:48 GMT

Pantheress has raised some very good points there Scotchfinger. Does any of that sound appealing to you? I hope we can find something worthwhile for you to do, because we all need to feel useful. It is very important to our overall wellbeing. And its horrible feeling bored. Certainly you are way too young to languish in early retirement! Dont give up on finding something that you enjoy.

Someone of your talent and experience will be appreciated somewhere. Have you considered enrolling in 'work for the dole'? It is not compulsory for over 50's, but it is still an option. I read somewhere recently that the number of 'work for the dole' enrollees has a higher number of over 50's than they do of youth unemployed. Interesting isnt it? I believe some of the options are pretty interesting, and I'm sure they place people according to skills and interests wherever possible.

Sherie x

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Scotchfinger — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 09:43:37 GMT

Don't qualify for dole (partner's income used in means test)so have never applied. Live on savings.

thanks sherie

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Kazzl — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 09:45:42 GMT

All posts are pre-moderated Scotchfinger. Don't take being edited personally mate. You might not agree with the decision, but the pre-moderation is what keeps the forum safe. They know what they're doing. I've had several posts edited too, and that's OK because I know the moderators have an unenviable task and work with the best interests of the forum and all members in mind.

I once helped moderate a post-moderated forum (ie things were posted then removed or edited if someone reported them and if the moderators had reason) and at times it was chaos, and potentially damaging for people. I really respect the way this forum operates.

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Guest_5218 — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 10:21:47 GMT

Oh yeah, of course. Sorry forgetting! My husband complains because when I am working he doesnt qualify for the Pension. He is ex-serviceman so lives on his super, which of course is also included in the means test.

So we are back to the Volunteer Organisations, or Pantheress's suggestions about schools etc for tutoring.

Sherie x