[Hopefor2012]

I was laid off about a year ago, and have struggled to find work since. Recently, I started my own business, but it's generating very little, not enough for me to live on. I've tried looking for contract work and have applied for other positions, but I keep getting rejected. The latest rejection was just a few minutes ago via e-mail from the local county, merely stating that they chose someone else.

I feel so hopeless, and my heart hurts. My family is supporting me financially, but I know they're also worried about me because I'm depressed. I want to try to be positive, for their sake and mine, but it's so hard when everything seems stacked against me. I don't know what to do with my future. I'm over-educated, under-experienced, and it feels like society is saying that I'm not needed. I feel trapped. How can I feel hopeful again? How can I feel positive about the future again?

[agma]

I'm sorry that you are struggling so much right now. I have a job, but it is a very toxic environment, and so I have been unsuccessfully looking for a new one. My job is the cause of my current depressive episode and is often the reason behind my cutting. It makes it seem like I have no future. I understand the wanting to be positive for other people. I try to be positive for my husband and parents, but it is very hard. Sorry I'm not much help. Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.

[Rohag]

Hello & Welcome, Hopefor2012!

Yes, you are in a scary, traumatic place. In effect, you are fighting two battles at once -- psychological and vocational. How to distribute your limited personal resources between those two struggles is an important issue.

In some ways the psychological battle is the more critical. Losing that battle means you'll have little or no resilience to pursue the vocational. On the other hand, a vocational victory may mean a psychological victory, too.

Do what you need to build the resilience necessary to pursue your career goals. That may mean general counseling, or psychological, or vocational, or...?

What are your ideas?