Ready for a new challenge?

Gagajo I did a PhD on the side while working full time. It is possible...

I'd be inclined to train in a totally different skill - something I'm not especially good at - as that would be a real challenge. Having been labelled the 'academic' one (by my parents), having studied, researched and taught, I want a change.

Now, I'll try my hand at crafts, art and making things until |I find a favourite, as I feel I was denied all these opportunities in the past.

When I was made redundant just a year before I would have been able to retire, I asked for a redundancy package to include a course on TESOL. I loved teaching my students foe whom English was, as yet, a foreign language and was thrilled with their responses.
A few years later, I volunteered with the CAB, another very fulfilling job., having passed up a chance to train as a magistrate.
But a major regret I have is that I abandoned a course I had started on proof reading. I guess my skills in that field are similar to yours, Gagajo. In any case, if I were you - and much younger than I am now - I'd at least consider making use of those skills.

Proof reading is a good idea. I'm an examiner for English so it might work well with my skills.

I would adore studying again, but sadly, since I have 9 years before I can retire (no teaching pension sadly, couldn't afford to pay into it). I'd love to do a PhD. But need to earn a crust.

Thank you for the suggestions!

I'm a great believer in trying new things even if they don't play to my strengths and it's a great way of widening my circle of friends which can start to diminish as we get older. I also try to do things that people of all ages do, not just "older" people. Particular mileposts for me have been buying a piano at 40 and taking lessons, bought a horse at 50 and got into dressage, got a personal trainer at 60 to improve my fitness and in my mid 70's I'm still riding and doing a couple of pilates classes each week. Took up art in my 70's and love the classes I do. I'm not very good at anything but my life is full and I am being constantly challenged. I'd love to learn Bridge and refresh my school French but I just don't have the time. At 58 you have years of fun ahead.

My daughter,who has a lot of qualifications in her particular field, studied art history for pleasure and absolutely loved it. She did it in her late 40 s and really appreciated the information at uni and drank everything in. Sometimes when we are young we just want to get through our qualifications to get a job .

An OU course in a totally new subject but one that interests you?

Well if my experience of proofreaders is anything to go by, an experienced, long term teacher would be a godsend.

Proof reading or editing? That might be a good sideways move