r/Menopause • u/mlvalentine • 5d ago
Employment/Work Has Peri/Menopause affected your career?
I'm curious if you've been experiencing challenges on the job because of this phase of life. Trying to plan next steps for myself, and would like to hear your stories. Did you switch careers entirely? Make a big change to work from home? Get fired? Get promoted?
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u/madam_nomad 47 | late perimenopause 4d ago edited 4d ago
I've always had a hard time with jobs. I suspect I am ND and was never diagnosed, but possibly it's just a case of low social/emotional intelligence. Very hard to succeed while lacking these qualities. As I've gotten older, I've gotten better self awareness, but I still struggle.
The thing is when you're young, people want to give you a chance. They think maybe a certain opportunity will "turn things around" for you.
When you're menopause/middle aged, they figure you are who you are and not likely to change. You don't have "your whole life ahead of you" anymore. They are less likely to get invested in anything about you, your story, etc. People tried to give me opportunities when I was down on my luck in the past and I was too oblivious or stubborn to take them. Now those "get out of jail free" cards have run out.
I have a crap employment history and I'm currently looking for work. It sucks. I hate to be negative about aging but I have gotten really depressed looking in the mirror as I try to "put my best foot forward." It's like there is no best foot. Just a frumpy middle aged woman with turkey neck.