I submit my PhD thesis tomorrow.
I had been a labourer/hospitality body for my whole adult life until I was 35. When my daughter lost her mum suddenly when she was a baby (11 years ago now - fuck knows where the time goes...), I knew I couldn't be doing minimum wage shift work any more. So I went to Newbattle Abbey College to do an access course, with the rough idea of doing an English degree and becoming a teacher.
As it transpired, I was brighter than I thought, and ended up going all the way at uni, as it were. I toyed with becoming an academic, but at my age and in my situation, I didn't have the stomach for the modern Hunger Games that is the academic job market - I couldn't face 5 years or more of badly paid temporary contracts. So I thought I better think outside the box.
Since September, I have been on a graduate programme doing company research for an investment company (apologies to the resident communists). Me and nine 25-yr-olds, which is pretty funny sometimes in its own right. But it's very well paid, will make me and Christina financially safe, and even possibly help me become a homeowner in the next 5 years or so. It's not my dream job or anything, but it's varied, my colleagues are all very intelligent, and the perks are outstanding.
My point is this, and I make it while fully acknowledging were it not for the loss of C's mum, I'd probably still be sitting on my hands too, waiting for the "right path" to come to me in a blinding flash:
If you're dissatisfied, don't wait. Life is not a dress rehearsal, you don't get another go.
Just make the best changes/decisions you can think of, taking into account whatever your responsibilities and priorities are, and in the full knowledge that there's never going to be a perfect option. I'm a long way from where I was 11 years ago, and have thought about a couple of possible outcomes along the way. If you'd have told me back then where I'd end up now, I'd have thought it completely implausible.
But if you just push at life's doors a bit, things will inevitable unfold that you couldn't possibly plan.
Just don't wait! (Especially if like me you're already solidly middle-aged!)