I feel you and send you a hug and lots of positive energy! At the height of the recession, our entire department was laid off.

From January 2009 to July 2011 I looked for a job. Every day, I sent out my CV or connected with friends through FB, networked, contacted Headhunters, etc. (I must have sent out over 350 CVs and Cover Letters). I was only contacted a few times and other than that I believe my information went to a location only the Hubble Telescope could detect Big black hole in the sky.

The situation is very, very difficult. I lost 2 1/2 years...and it all went by in a blur. I got increasingly despondent and depressed over that period of time ... to scary depressed.

Sorry, I am new here so I may be asking a question that you've been asked before but ... do you have a T that you can speak with?

Besides reaching out through here and connecting with all of these wonderful people, it really helps to speak with someone who is non-judgmental, that you can trust, and you'll get out for a 50-minute hour

For me, family and friends, although they felt bad about my situation, chalked it up to the poor economy and to just "keep trying". They had no idea what I was going through in terms of how it affects mood, self esteem, life, how depressing it gets and how isolated one becomes.

*The one thing I wish I'd had the opportunity to do more of is get out of the house. Even for an hour. The only interaction I had was an occasional convo with the lady at the local market or with the baristas at the coffee house. I isolated so much that it became pointless to leave the safety of the house, and it also did not help with agoraphobia, major anxiety, social anxiety, and C-PTSD issues. Especially when I got back out into the workforce (thankfully, I have the support here and of my T & P, along with a family member).

I know it's much easier said/written than done, but if you can, exercise your basic social skills IRT/L...you WILL find a job...but in the meantime, perhaps set little daily goals for yourself, and check them off the list each week And also if you are able, can you create a "vision board"? That helps a lot, too! (to have a visual of what you are working toward while you are in between jobs).

Good luck!! Please come back and let us know how you are doing.