[pugs1986]

I'm struggling with the fact that as of two weeks ago, I have no income. Long story short, I accepted a full time job and they laid me off after 3 days. I was getting unemployment since September 2014, but it just ran out. I've been applying for jobs and have had a few interviews, but nothing looks hopeful. I still live at home and had to admit to my parents that I literally have no money left. I've always had a job and I don't know how to handle this. I had to cash in my change today just to have money to have lunch with a friend... I've been struggling with anxiety and depression my whole life, but it has gotten worse over the past few months. I have this sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach and it won't go away... I don't know what to do anymore. I'm struggling to even feel like I have any worth. Can anyone relate?

[Fuzzybear]

Yes, I have been in that situation before. It is pretty terrifying. I was "cash-free" for about a year before a pension from a former job became available to me. (I was around 40 then and waiting for a Social Security disability judge hearing.)

I finally went to apply for SNAP/food stamps. I also sold most of my belongings (pawn shops, consignment shops, garage sale.)

Do you still have access to healthcare? I hope so.

If you are having a problem finding healthcare or access to therapy/counseling, United Way at 211 can be helpful in telling you what resources are available in your community.

It's good that you told your parents about your situation. I don't know how they are reacting, but in my experience, you have to try to be sensitive to their feelings if you're living with them.

When I was in the no cash, no income situation, I had filed for disability. I imagine it's a little different if you're looking for a job.

In either situation, though, there's the feeling of having fallen through the social "safety net".

I believe that a person's intrinsic worth has nothing to do with whether or not they have a job or money. Even believing that, it was extremely difficult for me when I was in that position. There is a constant anxiety.

I don't know how old you are. I would encourage you to get treatment for your depression and anxiety if you aren't already. It's good that you have a place to live.

Volunteer work was helpful to me when I was in my no-cash year. It helped me to get out and connect with people and to feel useful.

This forum is a great place to air your feelings. I hope you'll post here more.

[pugs1986]

Originally Posted by jo_thorne

Yes, I have been in that situation before. It is pretty terrifying. I was "cash-free" for about a year before a pension from a former job became available to me. (I was around 40 then and waiting for a Social Security disability judge hearing.)

I finally went to apply for SNAP/food stamps. I also sold most of my belongings (pawn shops, consignment shops, garage sale.)

Do you still have access to healthcare? I hope so.

If you are having a problem finding healthcare or access to therapy/counseling, United Way at 211 can be helpful in telling you what resources are available in your community.

It's good that you told your parents about your situation. I don't know how they are reacting, but in my experience, you have to try to be sensitive to their feelings if you're living with them.

When I was in the no cash, no income situation, I had filed for disability. I imagine it's a little different if you're looking for a job.

In either situation, though, there's the feeling of having fallen through the social "safety net".

I believe that a person's intrinsic worth has nothing to do with whether or not they have a job or money. Even believing that, it was extremely difficult for me when I was in that position. There is a constant anxiety.

I don't know how old you are. I would encourage you to get treatment for your depression and anxiety if you aren't already. It's good that you have a place to live.

Volunteer work was helpful to me when I was in my no-cash year. It helped me to get out and connect with people and to feel useful.

This forum is a great place to air your feelings. I hope you'll post here more.

Thank you so much Jo_Thorne! Luckily I do have some type of health insurance through the government. I qualify for medi cal so most of my dr visits and prescriptions are free. I've been in counseling for about 3 years now. Although I have learned many coping skills, I still struggle with thoughts of not being good enough and depression. I went through a bad period of health anxiety from March-April of this year. My parents are thankfully very supportive and they understand how much I've been struggling over this past year. I'm 29 years old, btw. I'm currently looking into different volunteering opportunities and have an appointment with an advisor to start applying for grad school. The hardest thing about this is seeing everyone else be successful and move forward in life when it seems like I've been stuck ever since I graduated 2 years with my Bachelor's. It's also hard for me to meet new people because I dread telling them about my situation. What's a good way to tell someone you aren't working at the moment? Did you have a good support system during that time in your life?

Hm, I don't know a really good way of telling people that you aren't working. You could say that you're doing some volunteer work and looking into grad school.

I agree that it's very hard if you compare yourself with your peers. I would urge you to try to focus on your own life goals and also not to make them all "work" or "school" but more intangible things like what kind of person you want to be, character development, how you treat others, connections with others, etc.

I'm glad that you have medical coverage and are going to counseling. That's very important.

My "no money" period was preceded by about a decade of health problems (mental health and other problems too.) By the time I got to the "no money" period, my friendships and social support system was greatly eroded. I did get good support from some friends from church for a while, but I eventually ended up moving because of money reasons.

Our stories are not the same. (Be glad!) My no-money period came about from being too sick to work and having it take years to get approved for disability.

I hope that your no-money period won't last for too long. It *is* a learning experience. Not one that anyone really wants to experience, but I can't deny that I learned a lot during that time.

[pugs1986]

Originally Posted by jo_thorne

Hm, I don't know a really good way of telling people that you aren't working. You could say that you're doing some volunteer work and looking into grad school.

I agree that it's very hard if you compare yourself with your peers. I would urge you to try to focus on your own life goals and also not to make them all "work" or "school" but more intangible things like what kind of person you want to be, character development, how you treat others, connections with others, etc.

I'm glad that you have medical coverage and are going to counseling. That's very important.

My "no money" period was preceded by about a decade of health problems (mental health and other problems too.) By the time I got to the "no money" period, my friendships and social support system was greatly eroded. I did get good support from some friends from church for a while, but I eventually ended up moving because of money reasons.

Our stories are not the same. (Be glad!) My no-money period came about from being too sick to work and having it take years to get approved for disability.

I hope that your no-money period won't last for too long. It *is* a learning experience. Not one that anyone really wants to experience, but I can't deny that I learned a lot during that time.

Thank you so much for your responses. You are right about focusing on more intangible things. Sometimes I get so obsessed with worrying about money and my future that I find myself isolating myself from friends. I stopped going to church for about 4 months and I'm trying to go back. That always helps me feel better and more connected. I know this is all for a reason and I will learn many things about this time of my life... I just hope things start looking up soon.

[wa(o)rrior]

Dear friend

just keep trying and you will get a good job. be grateful you have a place to live and getting food. thank your parents sincerely for that. learn compassion and share some hugs in here.

[jayblaze]

Hi,

I been through a lot so I feel you on this.
It cost you also a lot and more; I even came close to be committed to a mental institution.

Possible trigger:

I suffered a nervous breakdown and psychotic episode that could have landed me facing a murder charge, but I was saved by heavy sedation and my faith in God.

Know this it's bad there's no denying this fact, but you have to stay the course and be positive.
You have to want it more than anything else.

[waterknob1234]

Pugs your story sounds so similar to mine. I left a miserable job where I worked 60 hours a week and still could not keep up with my workload to take a job that looked easier and fun. After about a month the new job did not work out. So now I am unemployed and I seem to be running into difficulty getting unemployment. I may be told I am not eligible for unemployment. That has happened to me before many years ago. I can afford to get by for about 2 months. I am hoping to find work soon.

I am glad you have your parents to help you. Do check with United Way. There may be something they can do to help. I know you can qualify for Obamacare and possibly Medicaid. If possible, get treatment for your depression. I am hoping and praying things get better for you. Church is helpful too. You are right in that all this ugly stuff happens for a reason. That's hard to understand until we look back 5 years down the road. Hang in there and best of wishes.