I feel useless

I work with a lot of twenty and thirty-somethings, and I feel like I am just a f****** joke. I am 55 and I'm very isolated. The only social contact I have is with co-workers and they don't get me and I don't get them.

What kind of work do you do?

I'm 50. I'm rather isolated, I don't even have coworkers, but I enjoy being by myself.

This definitely is the time when we transition. I enjoy the wisdom that had come with my experience.

There is a generation gap. And we are better off then the 20 and 30 somethings. I try and practice a little patience with them.

Why do you say you are a joke?

I will be 50 in a few years and my colleagues (including my bosses!!) are in their 20s too. It feels really weird sometimes, not to mention exhausting as they seem turbo charged all the time. They all socialise together too,and like you I am isolated.
It sucks - but I would be lost if I didn't have my job, so occasionally I will try to get involved, though I usually maintain a 'respectful' distance
Could you maybe join a club or group?

It' only a paycheck. Keep your distance - remember how you were when you were young, laugh about it, be friendly and helpful, give them your knowledge, and go home. It is only part of your life. That's what I have been doing the past couple of years (I'm 59) and learning to work with the youngsters.

I'm not interested in joining a club or a group. Just need a ride once on while for the medical screenings they want to give you when you start to age.

I spent my social formative years sitting in the woods by myself from sunrise to sunset. I am good by myself.

I did go to a Maker space years ago. I thought it was neat seeing the kids do what I user to do and running the club. I also like to watch my nephews built homemade rockets and flame throwers. I answer their questions when they have them. I don't have to be turbo charged, I have proved myself to myself, no need to please anyone.

So the first half of life is for doing. The second is for being. Reducing the busyness and figuring out who we really are. I'm a contemplative Christian who attends Buddhist Sangha on Monday nights. Sometimes I facilitate and give the Darhma talk.

@BraveFace, what do you do outside of work?

@justrob, nothing really. I don't have friends that I can call or go out with. I chat to people that I see regularly at the shops. Living with my elderly parents pretty much takes up my time and energy.
Sometimes I try to make an effort but it's like @Iusedtobehappy says, working with much younger people can be really hard and you begin to doubt yourself.

@Iusedtobehappy How has work been?

My elderly parents won't let me move back with them, so I have to commute everyday, lol.

There's also a worsening culture of "ageism" in the workplace, particularly in tech fields. It's well known and much is written about it, but nothing seems to be done. There's a recent lawsuit against IBM by the "old heads" and "gray hairs" who were apparently targeted for layoffs. Age-based discrimination is just as illegal as any other, yet isn't receiving nearly as much attention.

I hate to say it, but from a purely business perspective, there's little reason for corporations to care. Indeed, there are more reasons for them to facilitate this type of discrimination, because us "old heads" and "gray hairs" just aren't the same as the young'uns -- or so the popular sentiment goes.

Unfortunately, companies can use any excuse to get rid of you, even if the real reason is age. They don't have to disclose that.