Feeling Trapped in Life

I was wondering if anyone here has ever been through this, lived it, and maybe even found a way out... or if I could just vent for a second to get it off my chest 🙄

I’ll try to keep this brief and just give you the highlights of what's going on with me...

I honestly feel like I'm trapped, like everyone is actively working to keep me from actually "spreading my wings" or moving forward...

And obviously—if my description makes any sense at all—that feeling is totally understandable because my life feels incredibly restricted from every single angle, whether it's money, social life, mental health, or whatever else hits me...

I don't really remember being someone who knew much about anything, but looking back over the last few years (I'm 26 now), after dealing with some struggles at college and a few other things, I just have no clue what I want anymore—honestly, I never really had a clear vision of who I wanted to be anyway...

I’m just not happy—not that I ever really was, if I'm being real—and I can't see anything that might actually bring me joy. The bigger issue is that with so much crap going on, even if I did stumble upon something that made me smile, I probably wouldn't even notice because I'm too preoccupied with everything weighing me down...

My personality, how I was raised, people not understanding me, and the total lack of support from those closest to me for basically anything... it's all pushed me up against a wall where I'm starting to fear absolutely everything. I tried looking for work for a while, but I guess that misery was pretty obvious during interviews, so I ended up giving up on that too. To even apply for jobs now, I'd need to hit the books, relearn stuff, and polish up my skills, but I just don't have the drive for any of it...

I truly believe that if I had landed a job even a year ago, it might have pulled me out of this funk—or maybe it would have sped up my slide into this current state—but I think it would have given me an appetite for life again, a desire to actually build something for myself...

But unfortunately, that didn't happen, and I'm just rotting away more and more every day, terrified of even trying, of sending out applications—since I've never been the assertive type—and I have zero self-confidence. I'm scared I won't be any good at a job, which is pretty obvious, and why would anyone give me a shot when I've never received a shred of support, even from my own family...

Even though I'm scared, I can say there's only one thing I'm becoming less afraid of, and it comes from asking myself: Why am I even bothering to struggle in this world?

Carol Turner3 said:I was wondering if anyone here has ever been through this, lived it, and maybe even found a way out... or if I could just vent for a second to get it off my chest 🙄

I’ll try to keep this brief and just give you the highlights of what's going on with me...

I honestly feel like I'm trapped, like everyone is actively working to keep me from actually "spreading my wings" or moving forward...

And obviously—if my description makes any sense at all—that feeling is totally understandable because my life feels incredibly restricted from every single angle, whether it's money, social life, mental health, or whatever else hits me...

I don't really remember being someone who knew much about anything, but looking back over the last few years (I'm 26 now), after dealing with some struggles at college and a few other things, I just have no clue what I want anymore—honestly, I never really had a clear vision of who I wanted to be anyway...

I’m just not happy—not that I ever really was, if I'm being real—and I can't see anything that might actually bring me joy. The bigger issue is that with so much crap going on, even if I did stumble upon something that made me smile, I probably wouldn't even notice because I'm too preoccupied with everything weighing me down...

My personality, how I was raised, people not understanding me, and the total lack of support from those closest to me for basically anything... it's all pushed me up against a wall where I'm starting to fear absolutely everything. I tried looking for work for a while, but I guess that misery was pretty obvious during interviews, so I ended up giving up on that too. To even apply for jobs now, I'd need to hit the books, relearn stuff, and polish up my skills, but I just don't have the drive for any of it...

I truly believe that if I had landed a job even a year ago, it might have pulled me out of this funk—or maybe it would have sped up my slide into this current state—but I think it would have given me an appetite for life again, a desire to actually build something for myself...

But unfortunately, that didn't happen, and I'm just rotting away more and more every day, terrified of even trying, of sending out applications—since I've never been the assertive type—and I have zero self-confidence. I'm scared I won't be any good at a job, which is pretty obvious, and why would anyone give me a shot when I've never received a shred of support, even from my own family...

Even though I'm scared, I can say there's only one thing I'm becoming less afraid of, and it comes from asking myself: Why am I even bothering to struggle in this world?

You're spiraling into overthinking, which is a fast track to depression. You feel this way because you're at a major crossroads in life—it's that identity crisis you hit when you're trying to transition into adulthood and independence. People who don't finish college usually hit this in their late teens, and those who do go through it right after graduation. It's all those questions: Where am I going? What am I doing? How will I survive? Can I actually do this? Why can't I? Why does nobody get me? Does life even matter? Why am I here? It's a lot...

It'll pass once you find some kind of work and start taking care of yourself. Seriously, any job will do. If it isn't in your field, fine—just get in there. Everywhere is short-staffed right now, so you could grab a seasonal gig just to break out of this dark hole. Just something to help you fight back and prove to yourself that you *can* do it, even if it feels impossible. Once you're busy with that, you'll start dealing with actual, concrete things instead of these endless, useless thoughts and fears that lead nowhere...😉
Now, just go on Indeed or something and start applying for whatever you can handle...😉

Wait, did you actually graduate or not? I couldn't tell from what you wrote.
Anyway, if you haven't finished your degree yet, my advice would be to just own that and focus entirely on school instead of exhausting yourself looking for jobs or worrying about whether you're a good worker. It isn't as if everyone currently employed is some top-tier employee or perfectly suited for their role. Your anxiety over that seems completely unnecessary.

Regarding what you said about not knowing what you want to be—it doesn't matter. You clearly enrolled in your current major for a reason, so just finish it. Once that's done, you'll have plenty of time to figure out if there's something else you're interested in pursuing. These days, there is an endless array of courses, certification programs, and trade schools available.

As for this idea that you are "shackled"... it might feel that way right now, but as you get older, you'll realize that nobody can force you into chains unless you personally agree to let them. That choice is entirely yours.

You can always influence your social life, and if you want to improve things there... then just go for it! I honestly don't see where the struggle lies.

In short, you are only 26 years old and you are being far too rigid about everything. Life doesn't work that way. Everything is fluid, and everything changes. There really is no need to get worked up. I suspect you are viewing the situation as much worse than it actually is.

Donna White50 said:You're spiraling into overthinking, which is a fast track to depression. You feel this way because you're at a major crossroads in life—it's that identity crisis you hit when you're trying to transition into adulthood and independence. People who don't finish college usually hit this in their late teens, and those who do go through it right after graduation. It's all those questions: Where am I going? What am I doing? How will I survive? Can I actually do this? Why can't I? Why does nobody get me? Does life even matter? Why am I here? It's a lot...

It'll pass once you find some kind of work and start taking care of yourself. Seriously, any job will do. If it isn't in your field, fine—just get in there. Everywhere is short-staffed right now, so you could grab a seasonal gig just to break out of this dark hole. Just something to help you fight back and prove to yourself that you *can* do it, even if it feels impossible. Once you're busy with that, you'll start dealing with actual, concrete things instead of these endless, useless thoughts and fears that lead nowhere...😉
Now, just go on Indeed or something and start applying for whatever you can handle...😉

I definitely know I’m overthinking things too much, I’ve always been that way. And yeah, I’m far from being an optimist, though I’m not really sure why anyone would bother being one lately...

I don't really believe it's going to get better, because even just looking at the reality that my ceiling at this job is maybe three or four $0.00,and knowing I'll probably only be here for a couple of years until someone younger takes over (I'm talking about those easier physical roles), doesn't give me much confidence that my life will ever be more than just scraping by...

I’ve already tried applying for stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with my background, and I still didn't get hired. Now, I’ve pretty much lost the will to even try that anymore...

Tyler Cruz32 said:Wait, did you actually graduate or not? I couldn't tell from what you wrote.
Anyway, if you haven't finished your degree yet, my advice would be to just own that and focus entirely on school instead of exhausting yourself looking for jobs or worrying about whether you're a good worker. It isn't as if everyone currently employed is some top-tier employee or perfectly suited for their role. Your anxiety over that seems completely unnecessary.

Regarding what you said about not knowing what you want to be—it doesn't matter. You clearly enrolled in your current major for a reason, so just finish it. Once that's done, you'll have plenty of time to figure out if there's something else you're interested in pursuing. These days, there is an endless array of courses, certification programs, and trade schools available.

As for this idea that you are "shackled"... it might feel that way right now, but as you get older, you'll realize that nobody can force you into chains unless you personally agree to let them. That choice is entirely yours.

You can always influence your social life, and if you want to improve things there... then just go for it! I honestly don't see where the struggle lies.

In short, you are only 26 years old and you are being far too rigid about everything. Life doesn't work that way. Everything is fluid, and everything changes. There really is no need to get worked up. I suspect you are viewing the situation as much worse than it actually is.

Yeah, I'm done. Technically I've got three years under my belt, but I'm not feeling super optimistic about these last two given how everything is going and how little motivation I actually have left...

That part about feeling trapped... maybe it feels that way right now, but as you get older, you'll realize that nobody can actually force you into chains or keep you held down UNLESS YOU LET THEM. The choice is ultimately yours to make...

Look, I get that the decision is mine, but clearly I haven't been able to pull myself together enough to actually make anything happen on my own...

You can always shake things up when it comes to your social life if that's something you want to fix... just go for it! I don't see where the struggle is there...

I think I made it pretty clear—I'm just totally burnt out by all of this...

I mean, I really don't know what I have to offer someone like that. I'm not looking to cry on anyone's shoulder, I'm not trying to party every night, and I don't even have the cash for trips or hanging out with people...

Basically, you're only 26 and you're being way too rigid about everything. Life doesn't work like that. Everything is fluid, things change constantly, and there's really no reason to get worked up. I think you're seeing the situation as much worse than it actually is...

Maybe, but I seriously don't see any chance of things ever turning around for me. I might be able to steer them in the opposite direction, though even this current state is pretty rough...

I'm only saying this because, at the end of the day, I know myself pretty well...

Honestly, once you finally wrap up that undergraduate degree—or whatever they’re calling it these days—you might find it’s actually worth less than a high school diploma. It sounds cynical, I know, but look at the reality of the job market. On one hand, if you're looking at those high-demand sectors where most employers don't even bother asking for a college degree, you're stuck in a weird limbo; they see these three-year bachelor's holders as overqualified or just acting like "know-it-alls" who aren't willing to do the actual work required. On the other hand, if you're aiming for those prestigious careers that strictly demand higher education, that same three-year degree often leaves you woefully underqualified. Employers in those fields have the luxury of being incredibly picky because there are so few positions out there that actually require anything beyond a basic high school education.

Carol Turner3 said:I was wondering if anyone here has ever been through this, lived it, and maybe even found a way out... or if I could just vent for a second to get it off my chest 🙄

I’ll try to keep this brief and just give you the highlights of what's going on with me...

I honestly feel like I'm trapped, like everyone is actively working to keep me from actually "spreading my wings" or moving forward...

And obviously—if my description makes any sense at all—that feeling is totally understandable because my life feels incredibly restricted from every single angle, whether it's money, social life, mental health, or whatever else hits me...

I don't really remember being someone who knew much about anything, but looking back over the last few years (I'm 26 now), after dealing with some struggles at college and a few other things, I just have no clue what I want anymore—honestly, I never really had a clear vision of who I wanted to be anyway...

I’m just not happy—not that I ever really was, if I'm being real—and I can't see anything that might actually bring me joy. The bigger issue is that with so much crap going on, even if I did stumble upon something that made me smile, I probably wouldn't even notice because I'm too preoccupied with everything weighing me down...

My personality, how I was raised, people not understanding me, and the total lack of support from those closest to me for basically anything... it's all pushed me up against a wall where I'm starting to fear absolutely everything. I tried looking for work for a while, but I guess that misery was pretty obvious during interviews, so I ended up giving up on that too. To even apply for jobs now, I'd need to hit the books, relearn stuff, and polish up my skills, but I just don't have the drive for any of it...

I truly believe that if I had landed a job even a year ago, it might have pulled me out of this funk—or maybe it would have sped up my slide into this current state—but I think it would have given me an appetite for life again, a desire to actually build something for myself...

But unfortunately, that didn't happen, and I'm just rotting away more and more every day, terrified of even trying, of sending out applications—since I've never been the assertive type—and I have zero self-confidence. I'm scared I won't be any good at a job, which is pretty obvious, and why would anyone give me a shot when I've never received a shred of support, even from my own family...

Even though I'm scared, I can say there's only one thing I'm becoming less afraid of, and it comes from asking myself: Why am I even bothering to struggle in this world?

It isn't really your circumstances holding you back; it's the fear itself. You have to face it head-on by intentionally doing the things that scare you. This doesn't just apply to job hunting—it applies to anything you can think of. For instance, maybe go out and try bungee jumping or something similar. There’s nothing quite like an adrenaline rush to help shake off that sense of hopelessness and lack of motivation.

Carol Turner3 said:I definitely know I’m overthinking things too much, I’ve always been that way. And yeah, I’m far from being an optimist, though I’m not really sure why anyone would bother being one lately...

I don't really believe it's going to get better, because even just looking at the reality that my ceiling at this job is maybe three or four $0.00,and knowing I'll probably only be here for a couple of years until someone younger takes over (I'm talking about those easier physical roles), doesn't give me much confidence that my life will ever be more than just scraping by...

I’ve already tried applying for stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with my background, and I still didn't get hired. Now, I’ve pretty much lost the will to even try that anymore...

Retail, warehouse work, stocking shelves, kitchen prep... you could find a job in any of those places if you were a stray cat, let alone a person with an education and healthy hands and feet...
Wages have to go up eventually—they have to, since nobody wants to work anymore. And honestly, don't let that college degree trap you when you're looking for work. A lot of times, people realize that what they spent years studying doesn't actually pay the bills and has zero future in it...

darksurfer4 said:Honestly, once you finally wrap up that undergraduate degree—or whatever they’re calling it these days—you might find it’s actually worth less than a high school diploma. It sounds cynical, I know, but look at the reality of the job market. On one hand, if you're looking at those high-demand sectors where most employers don't even bother asking for a college degree, you're stuck in a weird limbo; they see these three-year bachelor's holders as overqualified or just acting like "know-it-alls" who aren't willing to do the actual work required. On the other hand, if you're aiming for those prestigious careers that strictly demand higher education, that same three-year degree often leaves you woefully underqualified. Employers in those fields have the luxury of being incredibly picky because there are so few positions out there that actually require anything beyond a basic high school education.

A lot of people say that, but I’ve personally been in that position where I was working lower-level jobs, while plenty of people I know who had the exact same level of education were already landed in roles that actually matched their credentials. So...

Joseph Bailey41 said:It isn't really your circumstances holding you back; it's the fear itself. You have to face it head-on by intentionally doing the things that scare you. This doesn't just apply to job hunting—it applies to anything you can think of. For instance, maybe go out and try bungee jumping or something similar. There’s nothing quite like an adrenaline rush to help shake off that sense of hopelessness and lack of motivation.

I feel like I've written this so many times before, but man, it's always way easier said than done 🙄

Donna White50 said:Retail, warehouse work, stocking shelves, kitchen prep... you could find a job in any of those places if you were a stray cat, let alone a person with an education and healthy hands and feet...
Wages have to go up eventually—they have to, since nobody wants to work anymore. And honestly, don't let that college degree trap you when you're looking for work. A lot of times, people realize that what they spent years studying doesn't actually pay the bills and has zero future in it...

Believe it or not, I've even looked into those kinds of roles, but I'm not exactly built for heavy physical labor, and I'm definitely not a "people person" (which is one of the reasons I don't think I'll ever really move up the ladder, I'll probably just be drifting through life)...

As for how much wages will rise, well, even Nestlé is looking for people to work three shifts on temporary contracts for $1500 in Chicago, where the average salary is already over $2333. And even those jobs are seeing a huge rush of applicants.

Having a specialized degree is great, or so everyone tells me, but I honestly have no clue where I'd fit in. Aside from warehouse work that pays just a little bit more than minimum wage...

Carol Turner3 said:A lot of people say that, but I’ve personally been in that position where I was working lower-level jobs, while plenty of people I know who had the exact same level of education were already landed in roles that actually matched their credentials. So...

I feel like I've written this so many times before, but man, it's always way easier said than done 🙄

Believe it or not, I've even looked into those kinds of roles, but I'm not exactly built for heavy physical labor, and I'm definitely not a "people person" (which is one of the reasons I don't think I'll ever really move up the ladder, I'll probably just be drifting through life)...

As for how much wages will rise, well, even Nestlé is looking for people to work three shifts on temporary contracts for $1500 in Chicago, where the average salary is already over $2333. And even those jobs are seeing a huge rush of applicants.

Having a specialized degree is great, or so everyone tells me, but I honestly have no clue where I'd fit in. Aside from warehouse work that pays just a little bit more than minimum wage...

Look, I'm an employer, and from where I'm standing, if you don't have any work experience, you're basically starting from zero.
So, just find an opportunity anywhere. Put in three months, maybe six, then jump to a better gig and move up from there. That's how you build yourself up and figure out what you're actually capable of. Everyone starts somewhere—you just have to take the leap. I used to be mixing mortar for $1333 and I was honestly pretty happy doing that...

Donna White50 said:Look, I'm an employer, and from where I'm standing, if you don't have any work experience, you're basically starting from zero.
So, just find an opportunity anywhere. Put in three months, maybe six, then jump to a better gig and move up from there. That's how you build yourself up and figure out what you're actually capable of. Everyone starts somewhere—you just have to take the leap. I used to be mixing mortar for $1333 and I was honestly pretty happy doing that...

Yeah, everyone wants someone who already knows the ropes, and that’s always where the wall is.

But seriously, how is working in a Walmart warehouse going to help me in my actual career or anything remotely related to my field?

What is five years of doing that going to teach me that makes me better at my actual profession?

Carol Turner3 said:I was wondering if anyone here has ever been through this, lived it, and maybe even found a way out... or if I could just vent for a second to get it off my chest 🙄

I’ll try to keep this brief and just give you the highlights of what's going on with me...

I honestly feel like I'm trapped, like everyone is actively working to keep me from actually "spreading my wings" or moving forward...

And obviously—if my description makes any sense at all—that feeling is totally understandable because my life feels incredibly restricted from every single angle, whether it's money, social life, mental health, or whatever else hits me...

I don't really remember being someone who knew much about anything, but looking back over the last few years (I'm 26 now), after dealing with some struggles at college and a few other things, I just have no clue what I want anymore—honestly, I never really had a clear vision of who I wanted to be anyway...

I’m just not happy—not that I ever really was, if I'm being real—and I can't see anything that might actually bring me joy. The bigger issue is that with so much crap going on, even if I did stumble upon something that made me smile, I probably wouldn't even notice because I'm too preoccupied with everything weighing me down...

My personality, how I was raised, people not understanding me, and the total lack of support from those closest to me for basically anything... it's all pushed me up against a wall where I'm starting to fear absolutely everything. I tried looking for work for a while, but I guess that misery was pretty obvious during interviews, so I ended up giving up on that too. To even apply for jobs now, I'd need to hit the books, relearn stuff, and polish up my skills, but I just don't have the drive for any of it...

I truly believe that if I had landed a job even a year ago, it might have pulled me out of this funk—or maybe it would have sped up my slide into this current state—but I think it would have given me an appetite for life again, a desire to actually build something for myself...

But unfortunately, that didn't happen, and I'm just rotting away more and more every day, terrified of even trying, of sending out applications—since I've never been the assertive type—and I have zero self-confidence. I'm scared I won't be any good at a job, which is pretty obvious, and why would anyone give me a shot when I've never received a shred of support, even from my own family...

Even though I'm scared, I can say there's only one thing I'm becoming less afraid of, and it comes from asking myself: Why am I even bothering to struggle in this world?

What kind of worries are we talking about here? If you could be anything else, what would it be? You mentioned not having enough money for travel or hanging out, so are those your only dreams?
Maybe try being a bit more modest. You don't actually need money to spend time with friends.
If you truly can't find joy in anything, it might be worth seeing a therapist just to get some momentum and stop getting stuck in your own head focusing on the negatives. Don't give up on finding things you love or figuring yourself out. There's got to be something out there.

Megan Patel69 said:What kind of worries are we talking about here? If you could be anything else, what would it be? You mentioned not having enough money for travel or hanging out, so are those your only dreams?
Maybe try being a bit more modest. You don't actually need money to spend time with friends.
If you truly can't find joy in anything, it might be worth seeing a therapist just to get some momentum and stop getting stuck in your own head focusing on the negatives. Don't give up on finding things you love or figuring yourself out. There's got to be something out there.

I've pretty much laid out my anxieties through these posts, honestly... from this feeling of being behind in life, to having zero clue what I actually want or how to build a decent life. Plus, the realization that living a "normal" life requires a paycheck that's way out of reach given my current skill set...

How much more modest am I supposed to be, and for how long?

I'm not really sure what you mean by that, so feel free to elaborate... I'm definitely not talking about any fancy vacations or anything.

And I already mentioned that at the start—I don't even know what I enjoy anymore, because I'm just so weighed down by more pressing stuff...

Carol Turner3 said:Yeah, everyone wants someone who already knows the ropes, and that’s always where the wall is.

But seriously, how is working in a Walmart warehouse going to help me in my actual career or anything remotely related to my field?

What is five years of doing that going to teach me that makes me better at my actual profession?

I think you're totally missing the point here.
Basically, you're dreaming of landing this perfect, high-paying dream job right after graduation...
But that's just not how it works, especially in America where there's such a massive gap between what people study and what the job market actually needs. Everyone wants to major in business or management—just caricaturing here—and expect a cushy corporate gig or a steady government job. The reality is that most people are out there grinding, fighting tooth and nail just to find something decent. You aren't in that lucky position yet, and if you just sit around waiting for your big break, you'll be waiting forever. You'll just end up frustrated, burnt out, depressed, and honestly, you'll lose your drive and your youth while waiting for a life that looks good on paper...

But if you actually get out there and start from the bottom, you'll learn so much more. You'll see how the system really runs, meet the right people, and those connections will open doors to much better opportunities later. It's actually pretty fulfilling once you're in it, and you'll feel way more motivated to move up... plus, any employer will give you a shot once they see a resume that isn't empty. More than that, you'll realize life isn't some fairytale about getting a dream job the second you get your diploma—it's the real world, and you've gotta fight for yourself every single day.

Donna White50 said:I think you're totally missing the point here.
Basically, you're dreaming of landing this perfect, high-paying dream job right after graduation...
But that's just not how it works, especially in America where there's such a massive gap between what people study and what the job market actually needs. Everyone wants to major in business or management—just caricaturing here—and expect a cushy corporate gig or a steady government job. The reality is that most people are out there grinding, fighting tooth and nail just to find something decent. You aren't in that lucky position yet, and if you just sit around waiting for your big break, you'll be waiting forever. You'll just end up frustrated, burnt out, depressed, and honestly, you'll lose your drive and your youth while waiting for a life that looks good on paper...

But if you actually get out there and start from the bottom, you'll learn so much more. You'll see how the system really runs, meet the right people, and those connections will open doors to much better opportunities later. It's actually pretty fulfilling once you're in it, and you'll feel way more motivated to move up... plus, any employer will give you a shot once they see a resume that isn't empty. More than that, you'll realize life isn't some fairytale about getting a dream job the second you get your diploma—it's the real world, and you've gotta fight for yourself every single day.

I'm a guy!

Sorry, but you totally missed my point, because I didn't actually say that...

What I mean is, I'd love to have a somewhat normal job that's actually related to my field (which is the same as yours), where I can start at the bottom but still prove myself and climb the ladder through experience, promotions, and better pay...

It's going to be hard to get anywhere if I end up stuck in a circle of people who spend five or ten years working in some random warehouse. I worked a similar gig through a student temp agency once, and most of those folks weren't exactly inspiring me to aim higher—not that I'm looking down on anyone, and I'm definitely not acting superior or anything...

And ironically, I actually know quite a few people with those "standard" degrees who landed amazing jobs. Around here, it feels like it's way more about who you know than what you actually studied or what you're capable of doing...

Plus, it's easy to fight when you actually know what you're fighting for, but lately, I'm just not sure what that is anymore...

Carol Turner3 said:I've pretty much laid out my anxieties through these posts, honestly... from this feeling of being behind in life, to having zero clue what I actually want or how to build a decent life. Plus, the realization that living a "normal" life requires a paycheck that's way out of reach given my current skill set...

How much more modest am I supposed to be, and for how long?

I'm not really sure what you mean by that, so feel free to elaborate... I'm definitely not talking about any fancy vacations or anything.

And I already mentioned that at the start—I don't even know what I enjoy anymore, because I'm just so weighed down by more pressing stuff...

I guess you might be overthinking things, thinking one specific job is your only ticket to stability or wealth. If you view money as just a necessary evil for now—rather than waiting around for some grand opportunity that might never come—you can actually start living again instead of putting your life on hold. Donna White50 actually made a good point about this earlier. You aren't falling behind. You can find time for yourself and explore what you actually enjoy if you just rearrange your priorities. Life’s best parts are usually the small, free things right in front of us. There is plenty of value inside you, too; maybe you just haven't looked closely enough yet. Just keep searching.

Donna White50 said:You're spiraling into overthinking, which is a fast track to depression. You feel this way because you're at a major crossroads in life—it's that identity crisis you hit when you're trying to transition into adulthood and independence. People who don't finish college usually hit this in their late teens, and those who do go through it right after graduation. It's all those questions: Where am I going? What am I doing? How will I survive? Can I actually do this? Why can't I? Why does nobody get me? Does life even matter? Why am I here? It's a lot...

It'll pass once you find some kind of work and start taking care of yourself. Seriously, any job will do. If it isn't in your field, fine—just get in there. Everywhere is short-staffed right now, so you could grab a seasonal gig just to break out of this dark hole. Just something to help you fight back and prove to yourself that you *can* do it, even if it feels impossible. Once you're busy with that, you'll start dealing with actual, concrete things instead of these endless, useless thoughts and fears that lead nowhere...😉
Now, just go on Indeed or something and start applying for whatever you can handle...😉

As per usual, an excellent post.👍

That thing you called "separation" or "life adjustment"—for me, that hit hard right after finishing my degree back in the late 90s, during the era of the hardline Republican Party leadership; finding work back then was a genuine nightmare. No offense intended, but if time travel were real and I could jump back to 1998 or maybe 2001, I bet none of us would be complaining about anything anymore after returning to 2018.🍿

I was profoundly depressed by unemployment; I mean, I literally didn't have enough cash to buy a burger as a grown man. If I had actually had $6.75 I would have been constantly stressing over how to spend it, imagine $6.75🤦. I've always struggled with low self-esteem, and in my early twenties, I truly hit rock bottom. Every single morning I'd wake up wondering what on earth I was going to do with myself—just an indescribable sense of emptiness and boredom. At least we have the internet today🙄. I was convinced I was incompetent, and since I'm also a bit clumsy, I convinced myself I was just stupid and useless too. Eventually, I pulled myself together and went back to a psychologist I'd seen when I was a kid. We found our first job, then the second, then the third, though there were times I was unemployed and relying on benefits. All in all, the longer you stay in that state, the harder it becomes to claw your way out. Nothing is easy, but you have to try. And as I said, despite the massive gloom and overwhelming pessimism, things are arguably better and easier today; it's easier to find work, and the terror used to squeeze workers has lessened because employers are terrified everyone will just move across the border. Granted, finding a *good* job still isn't easy, but damn, being broke is much harder.

Joseph Bailey41 said:It isn't really your circumstances holding you back; it's the fear itself. You have to face it head-on by intentionally doing the things that scare you. This doesn't just apply to job hunting—it applies to anything you can think of. For instance, maybe go out and try bungee jumping or something similar. There’s nothing quite like an adrenaline rush to help shake off that sense of hopelessness and lack of motivation.

As per usual, the Flying One comes up with these wild, one-of-a-kind theories.😁👍

So, let's weigh the options here: Bungee jumping versus sitting in a psychiatrist's office. On one hand, you get this incredible surge of adrenaline, see brand-new sights, and meet new people. On the other hand, you sit in a waiting room surrounded by miserable faces, only to walk in and spend maybe ten measly minutes answering questions before they hand you some pills and tell you to come back next month for a follow-up check-in?

It’s absolutely Bungee jumping for me.👍

Megan Patel69 said:I guess you might be overthinking things, thinking one specific job is your only ticket to stability or wealth. If you view money as just a necessary evil for now—rather than waiting around for some grand opportunity that might never come—you can actually start living again instead of putting your life on hold. Donna White50 actually made a good point about this earlier. You aren't falling behind. You can find time for yourself and explore what you actually enjoy if you just rearrange your priorities. Life’s best parts are usually the small, free things right in front of us. There is plenty of value inside you, too; maybe you just haven't looked closely enough yet. Just keep searching.

Yeah, I am definitely feeling the weight of that, no doubt about it. But let's be real here, we live in a world where money pays the rent, covers the utilities... I'm not talking about being some crazy person obsessed with hoarding wealth, but still...

I think I've reached that level of insecurity where even if I suddenly had extra cash, I'd probably just squirrel it away because I'm terrified of hitting rock bottom...

And yeah, sure, beauty is in the little things, but let's be honest, that gets old fast, and sometimes you just want a little more—you know, just some normal stuff that people my age and other adults are out there doing...

darksurfer4 said:As per usual, an excellent post.👍

That thing you called "separation" or "life adjustment"—for me, that hit hard right after finishing my degree back in the late 90s, during the era of the hardline Republican Party leadership; finding work back then was a genuine nightmare. No offense intended, but if time travel were real and I could jump back to 1998 or maybe 2001, I bet none of us would be complaining about anything anymore after returning to 2018.🍿

I was profoundly depressed by unemployment; I mean, I literally didn't have enough cash to buy a burger as a grown man. If I had actually had $6.75 I would have been constantly stressing over how to spend it, imagine $6.75🤦. I've always struggled with low self-esteem, and in my early twenties, I truly hit rock bottom. Every single morning I'd wake up wondering what on earth I was going to do with myself—just an indescribable sense of emptiness and boredom. At least we have the internet today🙄. I was convinced I was incompetent, and since I'm also a bit clumsy, I convinced myself I was just stupid and useless too. Eventually, I pulled myself together and went back to a psychologist I'd seen when I was a kid. We found our first job, then the second, then the third, though there were times I was unemployed and relying on benefits. All in all, the longer you stay in that state, the harder it becomes to claw your way out. Nothing is easy, but you have to try. And as I said, despite the massive gloom and overwhelming pessimism, things are arguably better and easier today; it's easier to find work, and the terror used to squeeze workers has lessened because employers are terrified everyone will just move across the border. Granted, finding a *good* job still isn't easy, but damn, being broke is much harder.

As per usual, the Flying One comes up with these wild, one-of-a-kind theories.😁👍

So, let's weigh the options here: Bungee jumping versus sitting in a psychiatrist's office. On one hand, you get this incredible surge of adrenaline, see brand-new sights, and meet new people. On the other hand, you sit in a waiting room surrounded by miserable faces, only to walk in and spend maybe ten measly minutes answering questions before they hand you some pills and tell you to come back next month for a follow-up check-in?

It’s absolutely Bungee jumping for me.👍

I'd jump right this second. And then I'd go back for more...

There aren't any shackles holding you back here, other than your own lack of initiative and a certain streak of laziness. Where exactly do you think you'd expand to? If someone were to hand you a cushy, high-paying office job that didn't actually require much effort, would you take it? Well, look, to get a gig like that, you usually need some heavy-duty connections within a major government agency or a massive corporation, and it's pretty obvious you don't have those, sorry.

The environment around you? You finished some college degree—or at least got halfway there if you could have managed it. And you actually have the nerve to claim you have absolutely zero support from those closest to you? I mean, whose food are you eating right now, where are you living, who’s covering the utilities, and are you walking around without shoes on your feet? That is support. At 26 years old, demanding more than that instead of actually putting in the work is—well, it's just disrespectful.

Employers? Sure, they don't want to pay someone who clearly doesn't want to be there. You have a right to feel that way, go ahead and feel it. But maybe try changing your attitude.

The average salary? Honestly, you aren't the average. You're talking about jobs that require zero qualifications, yet you expect an average salary because you technically attended some college? Though, let's be real, you wouldn't even do those jobs because they'd be "too hard." Then again, you wouldn't do the other jobs either, because even there, you'd have to put in some effort—even if it was just using different parts of your body.

People who actually make it in life generally don't sit around waiting for someone to hand them an opportunity on a silver platter; they build their own opportunities. It's the exact same thing with luck.

Yes, there is a tiny, microscopic percentage of people who are born with a silver spoon in their mouths and live a completely different reality from day one. You aren't one of them, so grow up and come to terms with that.

Bungee jumping? You'd jump, right, just like that? If someone walked up to you with a Bungee jumping setup and paid for every single expense, I bet you'd still find some excuse not to do it.

northerncobra27 said:There aren't any shackles holding you back here, other than your own lack of initiative and a certain streak of laziness. Where exactly do you think you'd expand to? If someone were to hand you a cushy, high-paying office job that didn't actually require much effort, would you take it? Well, look, to get a gig like that, you usually need some heavy-duty connections within a major government agency or a massive corporation, and it's pretty obvious you don't have those, sorry.

The environment around you? You finished some college degree—or at least got halfway there if you could have managed it. And you actually have the nerve to claim you have absolutely zero support from those closest to you? I mean, whose food are you eating right now, where are you living, who’s covering the utilities, and are you walking around without shoes on your feet? That is support. At 26 years old, demanding more than that instead of actually putting in the work is—well, it's just disrespectful.

Employers? Sure, they don't want to pay someone who clearly doesn't want to be there. You have a right to feel that way, go ahead and feel it. But maybe try changing your attitude.

The average salary? Honestly, you aren't the average. You're talking about jobs that require zero qualifications, yet you expect an average salary because you technically attended some college? Though, let's be real, you wouldn't even do those jobs because they'd be "too hard." Then again, you wouldn't do the other jobs either, because even there, you'd have to put in some effort—even if it was just using different parts of your body.

People who actually make it in life generally don't sit around waiting for someone to hand them an opportunity on a silver platter; they build their own opportunities. It's the exact same thing with luck.

Yes, there is a tiny, microscopic percentage of people who are born with a silver spoon in their mouths and live a completely different reality from day one. You aren't one of them, so grow up and come to terms with that.

Bungee jumping? You'd jump, right, just like that? If someone walked up to you with a Bungee jumping setup and paid for every single expense, I bet you'd still find some excuse not to do it.

It’s always a good idea to actually read something with a bit of comprehension before you start typing away...

Going through your sentences one by one to argue is just pointless, because honestly, it feels like your mind is already made up and nothing I say is going to change it...