I know what you mean. Story time. I was 'let go' from a job where I butted heads with another guy who also had untreated bipolar. He drank constantly and was a real *** so we did not get along. After 4 years and the third time to HR they decided to let us both go.
It was such a relief to not have to work with him anymore. But then I couldn't find another job at the same pay as I had been making. I had to take a huge pay cut and work at an entry level job.
So yeah this entry level job sucked. It was menial, repetitive work. A couple times I feel I tried to take on more and show what I could really do but my boss and coworker both felt threatened somehow and they put me in my place. I was so miserable. For a while my boss layed into me, made me do menial tasks. I had to just suck it up because I couldn't get another job.
Then I figured out how to change my perspective. I realized my job was a piece of cake and that made me relax some. I focused on doing my job and doing it well. It wasn't fulfilling, which was really hard, but I did get some satisfaction from a job well done.
I started my job search again. After a year I FINALLY got another job. Because of my anxiety and low self esteem I didn't interview that well so they hired me at another entry level position instead of the mid position I was shooting for. At that job I had to again suck it up but it was alot easier because there was alot of work to do and it was interesting and challenging. So I just dove in and did my job to the best of my ability. The boss saw that I was compentent and gave me more projects and after two years I was promoted. Then promoted again a year later, and then again a year later.
So the moral is if you suck it up and do the best job you can, in time people will notice and you will be acknowledged and rewarded.