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Shop: Myyco.com Isolated Cubensis Liquid Culture For Sale   Unfolding Nature Unfolding Nature: Being in the Implicate Order

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Career Change at 64 * 1
    #29621876 -

I'm currently stuck in a well-paying job that I really don't enjoy anymore. For the past five years or so, I've been trying to get out of IT, but taking a large pay cut just isn't realistic with a mortgage and other bills to cover.

Last year, we were hit by a ransomware attack. I was able to get everything back up and running without paying the ransom, but the experience really shook my confidence and took a toll on my mental health. Ever since then, my anxiety at work has become overwhelming at times. I feel like I've given everything I have to this career, and I just don't have much left to give.

Outside of work, I love creating. I paint in watercolor, I'm getting back into photography, and I find myself drawn to creative pursuits more than anything else. At this point in my life, I think that's where I'd rather be.

Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to retire. Between debt and financial responsibilities, I feel pretty trapped right now. I'm hoping to eventually find a path that lets me earn a living doing something that doesn't leave me feeling this way.

Started microdosing and seeing a therapist as well as I don't want to go down the anti-depressant rabbit hole


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I have gone down the mycology rabbit hole and would like to learn more.

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: Rocknbob69] * 1
    #29621890 -

Good luck my friend.
Welcome to the open mind conundrum
Esp bad for those of us in the us where we are taught our work and financial responsibilities are the end all be all and the only sign of success.
Id suggest trying to think about(with partner if applicable) downsizing your life, and figuring ways to minimize so you can choose a more fulfilling path, while incurring less income, and still being comfortable.

Many, if not most of us hit this sort of wall, if we are really thoughtful enough about out human desires and such, when living traditionalish(american hustle culture, in particular) lives, while having less that a traditional american mindset.
Finding your own way to stray is the way i see to make a balance


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hmm...

"I'm naked and fearless... And my fear is naked."

"life isn't worth living without the threat of death"

"I got my plans in a ziploc bag, let's see how unproductive we can be"

"nobody lives their lives fully except for bull fighters"

My Trade List

Edited by ashfiken (07/11/26 07:30 AM)

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: ashfiken]
    #29622086 -

Hey, I am also in this situation. I am only working at my current place of employment because it was meeting financial needs, but the world load and stress of it has expanded beyond what makes sense based on what they’re paying.

Am negotiating a salary increase next Tuesday, which will determine whether I continue what has been a 15 year career with them. Nice to know my career here has been longer, by quite a bit :lol:…


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notapillow said: "you are going about this endeavor all wrong. clear your mind of useless fear and concern. buy the ticket, take the ride, and all that.... "

ChrisWho said: "It's all about the journey, not the destination."

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: ashfiken]
    #29622356 -

We are empty nesters as well and absolutely do not need this large of a home. The sad part about having a home in this economy with the absurdly inflated property values means getting out and into something smaller we would probably be in the same place. Side hustles only get you so far unless you can work for cash and I refuse to take on shitty IT clients for a pittance.

I would be perfectly happy with less of everything, especially the stress and a simpler life.


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I have gone down the mycology rabbit hole and would like to learn more.

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: Rocknbob69]
    #29622572 -

Think a lot of people seem to move from dense cities to sparsely populated communities and states where it’s slower and lower cost of living. My brother and sister in law just did this, and there’s a chance we could land there too.

Personally I’d like to spend the rest of my days in Las Vegas drying out like a fucking raisin in the sportsbooks making cheap bets and enjoying comped drinks. Though maybe could get down wit some north Idaho living instead.


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notapillow said: "you are going about this endeavor all wrong. clear your mind of useless fear and concern. buy the ticket, take the ride, and all that.... "

ChrisWho said: "It's all about the journey, not the destination."

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: Mickalopagus]
    #29622601 -

Maybe find the same job at a friendly company.  I know most places are agiet when hiring.


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The better guide to grow mushrooms.
https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/8553541

Beware the power of one.  The power of two. The power of many.

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: vicepope]
    #29622668 -

It would still be the unrewarding amd mind numbing tedium. I also work for an office of narcissistic individuals that like to hear themselves talk. Maybe I can get some insight from microdosing or at the very least it will make it tolerable


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I have gone down the mycology rabbit hole and would like to learn more.

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: Rocknbob69]
    #29622722 -

Rocknbob69 said:
It would still be the unrewarding amd mind numbing tedium. I also work for an office of narcissistic individuals that like to hear themselves talk. Maybe I can get some insight from microdosing or at the very least it will make it tolerable


In dealing with such situations, psyches, have always been my clearing-head, break, so that i can get back to ignoring the egotism, and focusing on my own path.
These arent usually microdoses but im sure one could give yourself insight.
A bite out of the freedom apple, so that i can keep that with me while navigating places of restricted freedom and tedium.

I hope you are able to focus on downsizing, being empty nesters, makes sense.
Like mick said moving to a slower rural area you can still maybe manage in this housing market, cant say i blame your reticence there.
My house is for sale and im still worried about what will even be an option after this


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hmm...

"I'm naked and fearless... And my fear is naked."

"life isn't worth living without the threat of death"

"I got my plans in a ziploc bag, let's see how unproductive we can be"

"nobody lives their lives fully except for bull fighters"

My Trade List

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: Mickalopagus] * 2
    #29624592 -

Mickalopagus said:
Hey, I am also in this situation. I am only working at my current place of employment because it was meeting financial needs, but the world load and stress of it has expanded beyond what makes sense based on what they’re paying.

Am negotiating a salary increase next Tuesday, which will determine whether I continue what has been a 15 year career with them. Nice to know my career here has been longer, by quite a bit :lol:…


Negotiation went about as expected. They were like ehhhh you should know that this the mental health field, theres no money for meaningful raises. I was smiling back thinking yeah youre probably not going to have an employee who does everything for you real soon :lol:.

Am kind of excited at the idea of starting a new career, thinking unless by some miracle they wow me with a counteroffer, am going to leave mental health forever, and just roll with a low stress job, even if it doesnt pay as much as I was asking for.


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notapillow said: "you are going about this endeavor all wrong. clear your mind of useless fear and concern. buy the ticket, take the ride, and all that.... "

ChrisWho said: "It's all about the journey, not the destination."

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: Mickalopagus]
    #29624778 -

I am at the point where I wouldn't even accept more money if they offered it as it seems to be even more of a trap. Things are also becoming more corporate instead of a mom and pop business which I do understand from a purely business standpoint, but dealing with C-levels isn't what I want to do either


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I have gone down the mycology rabbit hole and would like to learn more.

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: Rocknbob69]
    #29626764 -

does your IT career mean you could work as a consultant  (as an outside contractor )  ?
if it does this would also mean you could pick and choose who and when you work for (consultancy work also pays better)

get back into your photography and when you are confident enough start advertising to take photos for weddings /events /portraits /family pics etc - this can start out as a side hussle that brings in some more pocket money and could turn full time if you wanted to push it.

as others have said - start downgrading your life , take a real good look at your finances and get rid of anything that you can live without , less money wasted is in the bank earning you money.

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: pugster]
    #29626772 -

Its not what you make its what you save, is the ole great depression saying i always hold to


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hmm...

"I'm naked and fearless... And my fear is naked."

"life isn't worth living without the threat of death"

"I got my plans in a ziploc bag, let's see how unproductive we can be"

"nobody lives their lives fully except for bull fighters"

My Trade List

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: ashfiken]
    #29626854 -

Unfortunately not enough coming in and too much going out. Something always comes up to kick us in the ass and go back 2 steps.


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I have gone down the mycology rabbit hole and would like to learn more.

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: pugster]
    #29626869 -

I despise the career field and I have done side gigs before, it isn't any better. Being a consultant comes with a whole other spectrum of stuff to deal with that I don't want to deal with. I have had enough of technology and want off this bus. I am getting anxious just thinking about how much I hate it.


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I have gone down the mycology rabbit hole and would like to learn more.

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: Rocknbob69] * 2
    #29628456 -

You sound like you're done with IT.  With sixty-four years under your belt, you probably don't need to find a new career to replace your IT salary either.  Better to construct a few-year bridge into a less expensive retirement.  Your empty nest / large home offers you some leverage.  I get why downsizing appears difficult with homes being so expensive, but if you compare the net equity you could release, remaining mortgage balance, property tax, insurance, utilities, repairs, snow removal, transportation and every other monthly carrying cost relative to your location, you might find that the move could work in your favor after all.

Look at what you actually spend each month, what could disappear if you aggressively simplified, and what income you will have available from Social Security, retirement savings and any income your partner receives.  Maybe you don't need to maintain a major career, but only perhaps a part-time or seasonal job once the house and debt are dealt with?

You could also try a different approach with your employer, asking whether they will let you work three or four days a week, remove you from some of the more demanding responsibility while keeping you available for documentation/training/transition. Your knowledge may give you enough leverage to buy back time in lieu of a salary raise.

Since it looks like you're burned out on the IT stuff, take a good look at lower-stakes work.  Something like state parks, museums/historical society, community education, library, gallery, adult-education teaching or seasonal work that leaves part of the year open for the other stuff that lights your fire like the painting and photography.  Watercolor and/or photography probably shouldn't/wouldn't carry your household financially anyway. So let them be the center of the life you are building, while a combination of lower expenses, retirement income and modest work pays for it in the trade off.

Best of luck! :rockon:


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┼ ··∙   long live the shroomery  ∙·· ┼
...╬π╥ ╥π╬...

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: geokills]
    #29628925 -

Thanks for the well thought out and insightful response. Lots of things to look at and I am pretty overwhelmed by this and the feeling of being trapped no matter which direction I go. Hopefully this community and the journey I am on will help give me some insight and hope.


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I have gone down the mycology rabbit hole and would like to learn more.

Edited by Rocknbob69 (07/21/26 07:33 AM)

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: Rocknbob69]
    #29629100 -

It's easy to feel trapped.  I'm a bit trapped right now trying to navigate my divorce settlement.  But as I've been told from those who have walked such difficult paths, there isn't necessarily a right or wrong way about it, and the most important thing is simply to find one's way through.

Remember that our most valuable asset is the time we are given.  Shaking things up, even if it doesn't pan out perfectly, can bring back a bit of the vibrancy that we tend to lose when we get stuck in the same tired repetitive patterns for too long.

It's OK to be overwhelmed, just make sure you don't allow that feeling to foster inaction.


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┼ ··∙   long live the shroomery  ∙·· ┼
...╬π╥ ╥π╬...

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: geokills]
    #29629534 -

Got a response from my org regarding a salary renegotiation, and it went about as poorly as possible. They essentially said no, and also by their other statements, and what I know of the CEO, that she wants me gone for asking. So their plan over the next few months will be to replace me and my systems, but not before working me into the ground and getting what they need to know from me.

Now I need to figure out whether to just quit on the spot and, as Geokills stated above, just find a way to get through it, or if I continue to endure whatever they plan to throw at me in order to find other work while still employed. Currently am working 300% of my normal capacity, and they plan to pile more work on in the coming month.


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notapillow said: "you are going about this endeavor all wrong. clear your mind of useless fear and concern. buy the ticket, take the ride, and all that.... "

ChrisWho said: "It's all about the journey, not the destination."

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: Mickalopagus]
    #29629556 -

Dang dude, sorry to hear it.  Amazing to think you can give a big chunk of your life and energy to a company, and then simply for being open with your needs/concerns/desires, have to bear 'em tryna lay a fat steamer on you.

Balls. :undecided:


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┼ ··∙   long live the shroomery  ∙·· ┼
...╬π╥ ╥π╬...

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Re: Career Change at 64 [Re: geokills] * 1
    #29629606 -

thanks man, yeah its a serious bummer. was literally just pontificating earlier this year about potentially retiring in 10 years, and rn feel thoroughly humbled for having done so.

But!! Have tortured myself thinking about the situation for long enough that I think there is a lesson to learn right now - and hopefully it ties with the theme of this thread. Instead of burning our tires up looking for traction out of whatever we are in, maybe take the foot off the gas a bit, and breathe. These situations do not own, or define us. They might seem big now, but are but a blip on the radar of life, and our greater opportunity to enjoy it.

OP, if I were you, id go after that passion of yours. I would consider downsizing, and hopefully work out your finances so that you could pursue paid photography, or just a job that gives you time and the mental capacity to really focus on yourself and your hobbies. If it does pay less, perhaps there are ways it can be offset by a lower cost of living.


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notapillow said: "you are going about this endeavor all wrong. clear your mind of useless fear and concern. buy the ticket, take the ride, and all that.... "

ChrisWho said: "It's all about the journey, not the destination."

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