Comments on: The Reality of Being Unemployed at 58 – An Anonymous Unemployment Story

By: sal Slabbert

sal Slabbert — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 10:44:07 +0000

It is almost ten years later than this was written and posted. I have a unique story in that I owned a beauty salon and worked there for ten years in my youth, in South Africa. I then homeschooled three children for twelve years and taught writing class. I always worked although, it was never in corporate. I was caught off guard by my husband of 25 yrs who decided to divorce me almost five years ago. Besides all the losses, and empty nest… I applied myself and studied Image Consulting in order to set up a business. This took me over a year. I launched and had over forty people attend. However, when it came to bookings, no matter what I tried, nobody booked.
Covid hit!
I realized Image Consulting was a pipe dream and I shut that idea and began selling personal goods day by day. I also started doing a little massage at spa’s, however, my fifty year old hands were not able to sustain the pace nor the demands of sumo wrestler customers and I had to give it up. I tried to do pedicures from home but after six months only had two firm customers. Their payment could cover the cost of a meal for one day only! I began searching in earnest for any job I could find, only to discover nobody wanted me. It is now thousands of hours later and I am in the same position. I have exhausted my options but I have time and I believed I was always capable. I am burned out and feel absolutely useless and a failure . Oh, in between I tried to build a gifting and workshop business over a year, which failed. I now sit with stock nobody wants.
I have at last found two customers who want to learn English online. So I teach foreigners the art of English expression, however that amounts to four hours a week and will not be permanent. I have so many hours to fill but nothing to do. It is harrowing and I have lost my purpose plus am bored beyond belief. I never know where to go or who to try find to be with. I have endless problems as my money cannot last my expected lifespan and my loneliness is immense. What I had and what I have now is incomparable. Terrified , a realist, traumatized, desperate …. and no idea how to meet anybody.
While this has all been going on I was busy fixing up a house with huge breakages, to sell and repairing the little flat I live in. The flat has now developed further problems. I really don’t have the funds to repair. My losses go on and on….. not negative. Honest and life has really been unfair. The grateful person I was has simply vanished and I can’t lie about my efforts, experience and fear. Open to any ideas that will practically help or any male fifty and over looking for a new friend. South Africa is not for sissies.. but I would love a change, anytime.

By: Lady Unemployed

Lady Unemployed — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 20:57:53 +0000

In reply to Jay. I'm so sorry for what you are going through - and I wish there was more attention to the unemployment problem than what is on the news. If you ever want to share your story, let me know.

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 20:28:00 +0000

As I was surfing the web “for unemployed in your 50’s” I came across your blog. I am also 58 and after 17 years of 40 plus hours a week, my employment came to a halt in April 2014. Unfortunately, even though I knew it was the best thing for me, (health wise and sanity) my life was my work. There was a sense of fulfillment (still is) of having some place to get dressed up and go to every day. I was grateful for the opportunity to collect unemployment for the pass 18 weeks. And now that it’s ended and still unemployed, a wave of depression has hit me. Even with my strong faith and knowing that God has great things in store for me….it is still a hard thing.

I wish I could find a support group for the unemployed to share stories like this in person. However, reading these post, I know that I’m not alone in this journey called life.

Thanks for sharing and blessings

By: Leta

Leta — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:40:39 +0000

In reply to Lynn. Lynn, best wishes to you as well. Sometimes when bad things happen it can be a blessing in disguise.

By: Leta

Leta — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:39:17 +0000

In reply to Zungumon. Zungumon, thank you. I am so glad you found my post helpful. Sometimes we just need the TIME to find our new way.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 17:29:36 +0000

I too am 58 and unemployed. I had to have surgery last year and would have been off 4-6 wks. Employer told me I would not lose my job. How wrong was that as 1 week before surgery I was laid off.
I saw this blog as I wondered what others do when our days were once hectic and now they are ‘what will I do today’. The one thing I did do was get my license to substitute teach and this is so different then working in the business world. I found I have lots of patience with the kids.
Glad to know I am not alone on this journey of job hunting.
I like the idea of not working for someone.
Best wishes on your journey

By: Zungumon

Zungumon — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 03:14:15 +0000

Thank you for sharing your story. The feeling of being “goo” resonates deeply with me. As I am unemployed, in my sixth month now and feeling the strain. You have given me hope.

By: Leta

Leta — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 00:12:03 +0000

In reply to Swim Karim. Thank you Sim Karim

By: Swim Karim

Swim Karim — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 18:40:53 +0000

Deep insight. Thanks for sharing Leta