Feeling Discouraged (Again) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

tv star collector · 05-14-2009, 02:19 PM

My birthday is only about a month away, but instead of being a happy occasion, it makes me feel blue. I'll be 62 on June 18th, and I have filed for
my Social Security benefits. My checks won't start though until August 19th,
and it is still a struggle to make ends meet, in the meantime, on only my
weekly unemployment check (and a small monthly pension check). But that is
only part of the reason that I feel discouraged.

Each birthday seems to be a reminder of how, somehow, life has seemingly
passed me by. I had a good education, with degrees from two colleges. Yet,
the best job that I ever had (or probably ever will have) was one that I could
just as easily have been qualified for with only a high school diploma. Socially, I've always felt like an outsider. Having an overly protective mother
during my youth, I never had the opportunity to have many friends. So, I
grew up being a loner and, basically, a recluse; and, by now, I am too old and
set in my ways to change (and I'm not even sure that I would want to).
Still, there are times when I just need someone to talk to (besides my dog,
my one ever-present, faithful companion). I am prone to mood swings, and
it has nothing to do with the weather. It can be a cloudy, rainy, dreary
day or (like right now) the sun can be shining; and I still feel depressed.

I still miss the friendships that I made, on my three last jobs. Paradoxically,
though, I wouldn't want to have to work again .. not full-time, anyway. A
part-time job, just a few hours a week, would suit me best. Being a nervous
person, I know from past experience that customer service is not for me. An
office postion would be more suitable, but there just aren't any available here
(and working in another town is not an option, for me). Well, at least when
my Social Security benefits start, I shouldn't have to worry about money (I'll be
getting approximately $180 more a month than I am right now). So, maybe
just taking that pressure off will give me a brighter outlook on life. I hope so.
I just needed to get some things off my chest. Thanks for listening.

AB · 05-14-2009, 03:49 PM

Sorry you're feeling so discouraged. I think we all go through it at one time or another. Hopefully things will get better for you. I don't really know your situation but would it be possible to get out & walk around your neighborhood or even walk laps at your local mall. My mother does this & she's made a few new friends plus it gets her out of the house for awhile. She's in her early 70's by the way, so she's not exactly a speed walker. Again I hope everything works out well for you.

gidgetgrape · 05-14-2009, 05:19 PM

I'm sorry you are feeling discouraged. It seems as if you are more discouraged about your social life than your financial life so I will post about that.

First, I say, "It isn't over until it's over!" As long as your breathing, there is still time to improve yourself and be who you want to be.

Your mother isn't holding you back now, it's you. If you want friends, get out there and make some! Join (or start) a local club, attend (you may qualify for auditing) an extended education class in a subject you're interested in, go to festivals, etc.,. You might even consider volunteering, maybe even mentoring a younger person. Sometimes helping other people helps the helper more than the helpee.

What if it doesn't work out or you don't like it? So what?!? At least, you could say you tried and didn't just give up. I recommend you read Don't Grow Old, Grow Up by Dorothy Carnegie and How to Live 365 Days a Year by John A. Schindler.

You can be an old 62 or a young 62, it's up to you.

MickeyMac · 05-14-2009, 06:15 PM

I say happy birthday to you and am glad you made it to 62, and I am glad to see people from your generation on this forum.

MickeyMac · 05-14-2009, 06:16 PM

I say happy birthday to you and am glad you made it to 62, and I am glad to see people from your generation on this forum.

Schmoopie · 06-28-2009, 05:45 AM

Sorry to hear that you are having such a hard time

, but I hope you had a Happy Birthday. I'm 41 and sometimes I feel that life has passed me by. However, I try to remember that age is just a number.

gidgetgrape, your post was excellent and some great advice that anyone can use!

Andrea

05-14-2009, 02:19 PM	#1
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	Feeling Discouraged (Again) My birthday is only about a month away, but instead of being a happy occasion, it makes me feel blue. I'll be 62 on June 18th, and I have filed for my Social Security benefits. My checks won't start though until August 19th, and it is still a struggle to make ends meet, in the meantime, on only my weekly unemployment check (and a small monthly pension check). But that is only part of the reason that I feel discouraged. Each birthday seems to be a reminder of how, somehow, life has seemingly passed me by. I had a good education, with degrees from two colleges. Yet, the best job that I ever had (or probably ever will have) was one that I could just as easily have been qualified for with only a high school diploma. Socially, I've always felt like an outsider. Having an overly protective mother during my youth, I never had the opportunity to have many friends. So, I grew up being a loner and, basically, a recluse; and, by now, I am too old and set in my ways to change (and I'm not even sure that I would want to). Still, there are times when I just need someone to talk to (besides my dog, my one ever-present, faithful companion). I am prone to mood swings, and it has nothing to do with the weather. It can be a cloudy, rainy, dreary day or (like right now) the sun can be shining; and I still feel depressed. I still miss the friendships that I made, on my three last jobs. Paradoxically, though, I wouldn't want to have to work again .. not full-time, anyway. A part-time job, just a few hours a week, would suit me best. Being a nervous person, I know from past experience that customer service is not for me. An office postion would be more suitable, but there just aren't any available here (and working in another town is not an option, for me). Well, at least when my Social Security benefits start, I shouldn't have to worry about money (I'll be getting approximately $180 more a month than I am right now). So, maybe just taking that pressure off will give me a brighter outlook on life. I hope so. I just needed to get some things off my chest. Thanks for listening.

06-28-2009, 05:45 AM	#6
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Sorry to hear that you are having such a hard time , but I hope you had a Happy Birthday. I'm 41 and sometimes I feel that life has passed me by. However, I try to remember that age is just a number. gidgetgrape, your post was excellent and some great advice that anyone can use! Andrea
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

05-14-2009, 03:49 PM	#2
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	Sorry you're feeling so discouraged. I think we all go through it at one time or another. Hopefully things will get better for you. I don't really know your situation but would it be possible to get out & walk around your neighborhood or even walk laps at your local mall. My mother does this & she's made a few new friends plus it gets her out of the house for awhile. She's in her early 70's by the way, so she's not exactly a speed walker. Again I hope everything works out well for you.

05-14-2009, 05:19 PM	#3
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,503	I'm sorry you are feeling discouraged. It seems as if you are more discouraged about your social life than your financial life so I will post about that. First, I say, "It isn't over until it's over!" As long as your breathing, there is still time to improve yourself and be who you want to be. Your mother isn't holding you back now, it's you. If you want friends, get out there and make some! Join (or start) a local club, attend (you may qualify for auditing) an extended education class in a subject you're interested in, go to festivals, etc.,. You might even consider volunteering, maybe even mentoring a younger person. Sometimes helping other people helps the helper more than the helpee. What if it doesn't work out or you don't like it? So what?!? At least, you could say you tried and didn't just give up. I recommend you read Don't Grow Old, Grow Up by Dorothy Carnegie and How to Live 365 Days a Year by John A. Schindler. You can be an old 62 or a young 62, it's up to you.

05-14-2009, 06:15 PM	#4
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	I say happy birthday to you and am glad you made it to 62, and I am glad to see people from your generation on this forum.

05-14-2009, 06:16 PM	#5
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	I say happy birthday to you and am glad you made it to 62, and I am glad to see people from your generation on this forum.