Unemployment impeding recovery -- anyone else struggling with this?

[bpdwriter]

Hi everyone,

It's my first post here but I've been a long-time lurker who loves the community and openness everyone brings. Currently I'm going through my list of "trying everything I could to make it" as a part of me is still wanting to be here. A big issue in this is, unfortunately, the crap job market.

Short background: I graduated with an advanced degree in June and haven't found a full-time job. I look everyday, despite my depression. I'm grateful to live with my dad who is patient with me, but it's so hard to think of reasons to want to live and stick around after the cycle of constant rejections and inevitable student debt slowly approaching. I know I don't have it as bad as people who've been doing it for years, but honestly? I don't think I'm making it to the end of next month. Already I'm suffering health issues the doctor is owing to stress. Not a day goes by where I don't feel guilty for taking up space and how it would be easier for my father financially if I wasn't around.

Looking for any shared experiences or kind words. Today was a hard day,

 

[R. A.]

I'm being kept alive by insufficient disability support so it's a bit different for me - shit keeps going wrong preventing me from even looking for / doing work, so the benefit of the extra income and purpose (if not a soul-siphoning job) that might come from work (not that finding any is possible these days, as you say) feels forever out of reach. Just draining savings till I end up on the street and/or in some other godforsaken situation, I guess

 

[trying ungracefully]

I haven't worked since I was probably 17 and I've never had a real job. I did an internship at the forest for a bit and then dog walking for years but that was only two family's a few times a year.

I have bad social anxiety that turned into borderline agoraphobia. It sucks because I keep back sliding. I'll go out by myself for a bit but then I'll stay in the house for months because it gets too much.

I have no idea how I am going to get a job any time soon. I know the steps but the trouble is actually pushing myself to get there. I want a job so bad even though I know it will fuck with me in a different way. I hate feeling so lazy and there is not so much to do in 14-16 hours awake. I hate sleeping so much but there is nothing else to do. I get bored of being on my phone, watching shows, and reading.

A decent portion of my depression is caused by me not having a job. It's hard getting out of bed everyday knowing I have no true purpose except to stay alive.

 

[bpdwriter]

I haven't worked since I was probably 17 and I've never had a real job. I did an internship at the forest for a bit and then dog walking for years but that was only two family's a few times a year.

I have bad social anxiety that turned into borderline agoraphobia. It sucks because I keep back sliding. I'll go out by myself for a bit but then I'll stay in the house for months because it gets too much.

I have no idea how I am going to get a job any time soon. I know the steps but the trouble is actually pushing myself to get there. I want a job so bad even though I know it will fuck with me in a different way. I hate feeling so lazy and there is not so much to do in 14-16 hours awake. I hate sleeping so much but there is nothing else to do. I get bored of being on my phone, watching shows, and reading.

A decent portion of my depression is caused by me not having a job. It's hard getting out of bed everyday knowing I have no true purpose except to stay alive.

thank you for relating, definitely makes me feel less alone. i have mild agoraphobia so i'm trying to get something remote, but those are super competitive. i've been gaming more as a way to keep my mind off things

 

[eeah]

i graduated with a bachelor's a bit over a year ago and am working retail 35hr/week now. i couldnt find a job in my industry but honestly i didnt put in nearly enough effort. bcs i got so discouraged by the doomsaying about the industry online and everyone telling ppl it's over if they don't have internships and a good resume. trying to switch to a related easier field rn but it's taking too long bcs now im just tired from work every day and its hard to get motivated to spend my limited free time studying for certifications. but im working on it idk. also living with parents for now but i will have to move out within a few months or so. hopefully i can find a new job before then bcs itd suck to be stuck with a long ass commute if i cant and switch jobs later. the silver lining is my current job does pay enough for a (barely?) livable wage with roommates but i look at all my peers and they are so much more successful than me. so it sucks. i feel u op. its nice ur dad is patient. my dad blew up at me like 5mo ago and ranted about how i was a horrible leech basically but i already wasnt great with him cuz trans. but rn we're fine ostensibly, maybe bcs im paying them rent now. idk. unemployment and underemployment sucks. hope u can find smth op

 

[bpdwriter]

I'm being kept alive by insufficient disability support so it's a bit different for me - shit keeps going wrong preventing me from even looking for / doing work, so the benefit of the extra income and purpose (if not a soul-siphoning job) that might come from work (not that finding any is possible these days, as you say) feels forever out of reach. Just draining savings till I end up on the street and/or in some other godforsaken situation, I guess

definitely feel that, that's why i'm trying to find some meaningful work, otherwise it's just going to be a postponing of my ctb consideration; i hope something picks up for us soon or that at least some gentler days are on the horizon