Warped by Wuthering Heights said
Happy Birthday!  Life begins at 51!

  I hope so.

Could you start driving, or move to where there is good public transport?

I don't see myself driving. I just figured out what a major part of my problem is - distance judgement. (My eyesight isn't good - I wear "pop bottle bottom" glasses if that tells you how bad it is.)

There is halfway decent transportation here, but I will probably go to a nearby suburb that has better transportation.

Have you looked into funding for training in any field?  There are programs and counseling for women re-entering the workforce.  Perhaps to improve skills you've used years ago, or to learn new skills in an area you enjoy or have talent in?  Is there a university or community college in your area? 

Capricorn on cusp of 6th house, Taurus Moon, Taurus on Midheaven -- money.  Banking?  Even entry level teller, financial planning, accounting/bookkeeping, sales, insurance, or real estate?  What do you love doing in your free time?

Look for women's career networking groups in your area, perhaps MeetUps for women re-entering the work arena, also consider a home business -- bookkeeping, pet-sitting, event planning, catering, virtual assistant, something that excites you!

I would love a work-at-home job. I went to school for accounting, but it didn't get me anywhere (over-educated, under-experienced). I am also not a social person - in part I don't fit the mold. Part of my problem is that nothing currently excites me and I have no clue as far as talents. I've also realized I don't want a lot of responsibility, need variety and I work best if I can work when I feel like it - not 9-5. I'd like to help people (as far as "passion" or something I'm outspoken about (mainly just to closer people) is the loss of the middle class. We need to reverse the trickle down theory - while it may be a good theory it doesn't work in practice as there's too much greed involved.

Wishing you a fabulous fresh start! 

I'm hoping I can get it to work out.

Accounting!  You could do taxes.  Start as a trainee with one of the tax prep companies, or take some classes to freelance. 

Bookkeeping from home, financial planning, consulting with people to help them save more, spend less, plan for retirement, all of which help fight the middle class decline.

Check out security companies and even department stores -- they employ people in "the money room" counting the money, making deposits, etc. 

Local non-profits might need your skills, and you'd be helping people who have suffered in this economic decline.

You must have a passion for something!  Think back to early childhood, teens -- reading, sports, music, art, crafts, sewing, childcare, outdoor pursuits?  What do you do when your time is all your own?  What makes you feel secure and useful? 

There IS hope! 

Warped is right! Could you freelance for smaller companies, small businesses? You could definitely work from home. And there might be opportunities where people are trying to start a business and are lost in the sea of bookkeeping. 

You need to find like-minded people where you can boost your confidence. 

Also, I DO believe you have talents. Do you have a friend, relative or good acquaintance you can ask? Sometimes it's hard to see what other people admire about you and translate that into something to be put into action. Definitely bounce ideas off others.

elisa said
@ThePhoenix, happy birthday!! I agree with warpedWutheringHieghts, wishing you too a happy new start. It's never too late to be happy again.

Thank you. I am definitely ready to be happy.

allie120 said
@Phoenix...happy birthday! 

I understand what you're going through. You're not worthless, but I understand that thinking being so rooted and difficult to overcome if you've felt that way since childhood. Please keep coming back to the blog if you can. I've learned so much here, and with such a diverse group of people, it's amazing what's out there. A start might be to retrain your thinking about yourself. There are probably 10 billion ways people and programs, websites and books can tell you how but one of those ways is going "click" for you, in a way that resonates.

I don't know but I'm drawn to your Uranus-Sun opposition. You're a super individual. Really unique. You might not think so now. But you are. Embrace it.

Thank you.

I know I have to retrain myself. It's difficult after all this years and I know I have to release some people (like the hubby) to be able to succeed.

I know about being me being unique. That is one thing that I do say, although things would probably be easier if I better fit the mold.

Warped by Wuthering Heights said
Accounting!  You could do taxes.  Start as a trainee with one of the tax prep companies, or take some classes to freelance. 

Bookkeeping from home, financial planning, consulting with people to help them save more, spend less, plan for retirement, all of which help fight the middle class decline.

Most of that is the responsibility I want to avoid and don't have current knowledge or any real experience.

Check out security companies and even department stores -- they employ people in "the money room" counting the money, making deposits, etc. 

Local non-profits might need your skills, and you'd be helping people who have suffered in this economic decline.

Not sure I could work in a "money room" with my credit status and even there they want experience (they can get it).

You must have a passion for something!  Think back to early childhood, teens -- reading, sports, music, art, crafts, sewing, childcare, outdoor pursuits?  What do you do when your time is all your own?  What makes you feel secure and useful? 

There IS hope! 

I like reading fantasy books (I'm a bit particular with that too - didn't get into the hobbit and stuff like that). Can't really make money with that (as for editing I can maybe catch most spelling/grammar mistakes, but totally miss continuity).

I should be creative, but have trouble coming up with my own ideas and it would take a bit for me to do something saleable (although apparently some people get money for paintings that amount to splatter painting). Not into sports or music.

To be honest I am a bit lazy. I play a few games on facebook, read fantasy books and "waste time". I often get caught up reading spiritual stuff (like astrology and psychic related stuff (although I'm not open myself)), but have trouble retaining most of it. I can be good at finding information on the net depending on what it is. At this time nothing really makes me feel secure (at least not financially & regarding the future). I try to help others, but not sure about feeling useful.

I know there is something out there just right for me, but it's a matter of finding it (is it even available at this time?). I know more of what's wrong for me and not what's right for me.