I don't know what to do at this point

Hi I'm new and I really don't know where to even put this category in forum so I thought I should leave it here.

I have been down in the dumps lately and it's really affecting me as a person now. Starting 7 months ago I was arrested for grand theft, went to jail for a few hours and went through all the legal issues. It'll be dismissed in July and my expungement process will start then, it takes 6 months for the process to go through and then that's when I can start finding a job. I was fired from my retail job and I have been jobless ever since.

I'm afraid to even look for a job because I know I'll be rejected. I decided to try anyway and I have been denied for every job I applied to so far and I'm just so sad. I've been living with my parents for a while and I was expecting to move out this summer but I have no job and no money.

On the bright side I recently graduated from college studying psychology, and I have so many opportunities to go into research and lab, but I can't due to this record that is still pending. I'm so sad, I'm stuck for another year doing nothing and I want to further my psychology education and experience but I can't even do that.

I've been crying everyday lately and suicide has even come up in my thoughts. What I did was the most dumbest thing I ever done, but everyone makes mistakes though.. Right? I just feel so unworthy, especially when McDonald's doesn't even want to have an interview with you due to this 1 CHARGE. This is also my first offense, I never even received a traffic ticket nor did I even have detention.

I don't know what to do at this point. I'm stuck and I feel extremely stagnant, and I feel like I can't go on any further because of this offense.

Please help..

Sorry you're having to go through this. At least your record will be expunged and then you can start afresh looking for a job. Why not enjoy your time off and pursue other interests until then?

I've been painting again lately and going to try some cake decorating. I guess this anguish I have doesn't help when my mother and sister encourages it. I know they pity me that I'm just stuck in the house, asking my mom for money, going out with friends. I'm being pressured to go to school for my masters this fall but we just don't have enough money for now but she wants me to go ahead and go to school for something else anyway, just so I have "something to do in the meantime".

Can you pick up under the table jobs, like dog-walking or pet-sitting (assuming you like pets)?
Mow lawns, do small labor jobs for elderly or busy neighbors? Baby-sit (and use your psychology degree on the kids)? Elder care/companionship? Craigslist is sometimes a good resource to find these gigs, although of course be wary of meeting new people, use a public space, etc.

There are also free online college classes available. Just an example, there are many more: https://www.edx.org/school/harvardx

At the very least you can say you're taking classes at Harvard. Good luck.

Thanks for this link, Woodchuck! I'm going to check these out.

--Ceara1010

coursera,com is another great place to take online classes. Many are free or low cost and the classes are from lots of different universities.