gonzo51511

hello everyone. i was wondering if anyone has had any experience or uplifting stories about starting over in life. the reason i ask is because my life as i knew it, i burned to the ground from alcoholism. i fortunately still do have a job and a place to live but eventually (further down the road in recovery) i am gonna need to find a new career. it gives me a lot of fear and anxiety cuz i haven't a clue what would be a good career choice for me. ive been attending a lot of AA and working steps with my sponsor and i do believe things will get better and be better than i can imagine. at least that's what the folks in AA keep telling me. just wondering if anyone has had similar experience in this topic. thank you

doggonecarl

I changed the direction of my life at 30 to go to college. Graduated but didn't find anything relating to what I went to school for, and didn't get the management job I thought a degree would get me at the place I was working. So I went back to school to get my Masters. Graduated at 40 and started a competely different career.

You can too. The only thing that appears to be standing in your way is your thinking that you can't.

Soberwolf

I got sober at 31 I'm 33 now

advbike

What do you LIKE to do? What are you GOOD at? Start with that. And work a program of recovery.

I had to work after a couple of years of college, and jumped around quite a bit. Finally completed my bachelors degree at age 32, had a good technical career, masters at age 43. Lots of travel. Stress. Drinking. Quit the corporate life at age 45 because I couldn't take it anymore. Then couldn't find a job, so I became a land developer for awhile and began going to AA. Restarted the corporate life at age 51. It was a lot more work that time around, and I drank some but moderated it. I was in the field. Retired early at 57. Finally got sober at age 58. Living overseas and traveling now at age 60.

My life is not perfect, because I have a very active ego that creates problems sometimes, but I have found that if you embrace life and all it's twists and turns you get to have a lot more fun and adventure. Just don't compare your life to others or some imaginary set of metrics.

zjw

i've pondered the going back to school thing myself but it would take many years lots of student loans and I have 6 kids to take care of. Its a big undertaking. doable yeah I guess but i'd probably stress myself out big time get out of school and have some pretty scary loans stareing at me.

I have ponderd some sort of vocational school tho in my case just dunno what.

leviathan

My stuff imploded for me at the cage of 44. Got straight. Kept spouse. Had to downsize. Now back in school at 45. I worry its too late occasionally...but you know what? I didn't just roll over and die. -so I have that as a point of pride.

Also, I am about twice the man everyone was used to when I was poisoning myself.

Keep your head up. The AA folks are right about it getting better.

gonzo51511

awesome guys!! thank u all so much for all your positive feedback. gives me a lot of hope at i time when i really need the encouragement!!

sugarbear1

I began to rebuild my life at 50....4 years later and things are moving well.....

Other friends are doing the same thing; and I believe you can achieve what goals you set for yourself!!!

BarbieKen

I began my new life in Recovery at age 55. In November I will have 3 years. Who knew how wonderful life can become? I firmly believe it is never too late. Dropping the alcohol from my life was just the beginning.
Bobbi