Anyone else think about just getting in your truck/car with a mini RV and just go park in the middle of nowhere out west and see how it goes? When do you give up trying to play this job searching game to prove you're worth something? 3 years? 5? How about when it's been 10 years since you've had a full time regular employee job with benefits? When is it enough? Maybe some people are just not made for this world? Any thoughts?

27 Comments

1. AnonymousJuly 15,2024 at 7:59PM UTC

   Don't give up! If anything, it's the best time to double-down on yourself and tap into the skills/gifts/talents that you have inside.

   I'm totally there with you on how frustrating the job hunt is! However, having a creative outlet that could become a side hustle or business for yourself is something you should consider.

   What are you naturally good at? See how you can plug into that and make money. Since you expressed driving across country, have you thought about documenting that experience online and monetizing your content? Consider how you get sponsors on board to help finance your trip / experience. Who knows? Maybe you'll become a travel vlogger!

   You have a lot to offer this world and I know things look chaotic right now and I don't know your situation fully. I sincerely hope you consider looking alternative options for work may it be freelance work or consulting to. Gig work is IN! Even a temp job / part-time work is always something we should remain open to.

   Also, when it doubt, going back to school! There are so many options for free online education. Don't underestimate going to your local library too for resources as well!

   All in all, take a mental break from just applying! That's okay too. The trip might do you some good to just clear your mind and break up the day-to-day hustle. I wish you the best of luck. Most importantly, thank you for being here!

2. AnonymousJuly 16,2024 at 1:17PM UTC

   Thank you so much for trying to give ideas. I wish I could say I haven't tried anything you suggested- I've tried it all. I not only have some college - I have a BS. I actually was a teacher originally and have tried the substitute route with no success. I don't have felonies and in fact am about as straight arrow as they come. I've been working with agencies and they don't bother either. State won't help because I have "no dependents, special needs or inclusion criteria status and am between the working ages of 18 and 55" (this is their wording they sent in an email). So they will not even consider helping me find a job. Which very much along with the fact that temp agencies and others that won't give me the time of day has me hearing "you are not important in this world and nobody will help you". I've seen people say I've been lucky I can "afford" to hop in an RV and take off. First, the RV is basically a bed- not a giant house on wheels. It was a whim thing I bought during COVID for $2000 because I was concerned what would happen with COVID. It's 10 feet long. Second- I can't afford it- it just might be my only option. It probably speaks volumes about the world right now if being able to "afford " to be homeless in a camper in the woods without a soul in the world who cares except your dog is lucky. (having my dog IS lucky). I have 12 weeks and then the camper is where I will be living. Whether I want to or not. College didn't help, experience doesn't help, being a hard worker who missed 1 sick day in 3 years didn't help (temp job still didn't keep me after 3 years). It doesn't matter what I do does it? It's never going to be good enough.

3. AnonymousJuly 17,2024 at 4:50PM UTC

   Thanks for the advice and kind words. I used to think I was good at some things but I would say in the past 3 years the only thing I'm good at is failing. I tried etsy for sewing, (no sales) UpWork for admin since I'm good with systems admin and Microsoft Office(or thought I was- not a single response), Rover for dog walking (not a single call), I tried posting blogs/writing and made about $30 month. I tried Ubering but got attacked and didn't think it was worth it (maybe I should reconsider). I've taken 9 seminar courses on optimizing job searching, resumes, AI etc.. from FlexJobs. I'm signed up with 4 temp agencies one for whom I already work (for 3 years and they won't even talk to me about future jobs even though my contract ends in 12 weeks). I've done much more but this is just a sample. I can't afford a trip to clear my mind. I'll be living in a 10x5 camper with no income for gas or food in 12 weeks. I'm starting to accept the inevitable now but need to figure out a home for my dog. I'm thinking Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah as I've volunteered there every year since 2019 and I know he'd at least have a place even if he would be confused and lonely. He's almost 13 and I hate to do that to him but I can't have him die in a box in the woods with me. He's a great little dog and deserves so much more.

4. AnonymousJuly 15,2024 at 11:45PM UTC

   The square peg in a round hole dilemma. Honestly sometimes you have to recognize that a certain path is not for you and you are destined for success on another path. The way you know is life is so much harder than it needs to be. You have anxiety, you have depression and you just don't feel comfortable in your own skin.

5. AnonymousJuly 16,2024 at 1:14PM UTC

   Thank you so much for trying to give ideas. I wish I could say I haven't tried anything you suggested- I've tried it all. I not only have some college - I have a BS. I actually was a teacher originally and have tried the substitute route with no success. I don't have felonies and in fact am about as straight arrow as they come. I've been working with agencies and they don't bother either. State won't help because I have "no dependents, special needs or inclusion criteria status and am between the working ages of 18 and 55" (this is their wording they sent in an email). So they will not even consider helping me find a job. Which very much along with the fact that temp agencies and others that won't give me the time of day has me hearing "you are not important in this world and nobody will help you". I've seen people say I've been lucky I can "afford" to hop in an RV and take off. First, the RV is basically a bed- not a giant house on wheels. It was a whim thing I bought during COVID for $2000 because I was concerned what would happen with COVID. It's 10 feet long. Second- I can't afford it- it just might be my only option. It probably speaks volumes about the world right now if being able to "afford " to be homeless in a camper in the woods without a soul in the world who cares except your dog is lucky. (having my dog IS lucky). I have 12 weeks and then the camper is where I will be living. Whether I want to or not. College didn't help, experience doesn't help, being a hard worker who missed 1 sick day in 3 years didn't help (temp job still didn't keep me after 3 years). It doesn't matter what I do does it? It's never going to be good enough.

6. AnonymousJuly 16,2024 at 1:29PM UTC

   Who doesn't?

   I'm counting down the days to retirement... (not really, I've got years to go) but three weeks ago there was a layoff in my company due to a small reorg and realignment of priorities. 7 people laid off from a company of 300.

   I lost a colleague and almost wish it had been me. it would have forced me into making a move...

7. Juanisha ShippJuly 16,2024 at 3:28PM UTC

   Indeed! I'm just not made for this world...100% It's really hard when you're "just too nice of a person" with no degree or certificates and 14 years of experience to find a full-time spot where you can thrive and survive. I just want to be a good person to good people.

8. AnonymousJuly 17,2024 at 1:00PM UTC

   I’m a borderline people pleaser which has worked in my favor some of the time yet only to find out I was too young and naive to see I was being taken advantage of and manipulated- I’ve been working with smaller businesses but the bad side (sometimes) is the family “part” of business uugghh

9. AnonymousJuly 16,2024 at 7:02PM UTC

   Agreed Kara- at this point I'm honestly only bothering to function for my dog. I'm tired. This society doesn't allow for alternatives. My favorite saying is always "well that's just the way it is deal with it". Wrong. That's the way we made it.

10. AnonymousJuly 16,2024 at 8:44PM UTC

    There are so many alternative options these days. It just takes a lot of ingenuity and initiative. It's not easy but can be done.

    I actually saw the advantage of working as a consultant remotely since I desperately wanted to move out of 9 to 5 traditional office work. I figured out a way to get the training and certifications to specialize in a niche compliance area of legal ops that normally is not well known but highly valuable to companies in certain industries.

    I approached a couple of former employers during the pandemic and was offered the work. I bill them at 3x my former rate and work while traveling with my husband in our RV. It took me about 6 years to put everything in place before quitting my W2 job. So it is possible but not easy at first.

11. Cindy GloverJuly 17,2024 at 12:57PM UTC

    Did you write everything down so I can do it lol - in all seriousness- I happen to be quite good with business automation- just grew on me over the years - I don’t know the first thing about working for myself but would possibly give it a shot

12. AnonymousJuly 17,2024 at 2:20PM UTC

    I began with a simple business plan, had a few sessions with a business consultant to figure out my plan. Watched videos, read books. Worked my side hustle and invested the added income into my home office, an accountant and a lawyer for my LLC. When I was all set up I quit my W2 job and went solo. It was scary but I needed to ward off ageism and get away from the daily 9 to 5 grind. It worked and I've never regretted it for a moment. I am on my way to 68 and very self sufficient. I controll my time and my life balance.

13. AnonymousJuly 17,2024 at 4:31PM UTC

    I am so glad it worked out for you :) It's always good to hear it does actually work out for some good people! I probably should have thought about it sooner and done something like what you did but I guess I never expected to be a homeless pariah in advance. Too late for me but it really did put a smile on my face to hear it's worked for you!! And I'm glad you have a husband so you have a support of sorts as having absolutely no-one is much tougher than it sounds. I wish and hope for you all the continued best in the world. <3

14. AnonymousJuly 17,2024 at 11:29AM UTC

    I’m so exhausted and I’m so afraid of being homeless I just don’t know what to do. Every day is a battle and no one cares.

15. Cindy GloverJuly 17,2024 at 12:55PM UTC

    You have alot of chics here that DO CARE

16. Cindy GloverJuly 17,2024 at 12:54PM UTC

    Where shall I send my address so you can pick me up - I’m happy in a tent feel free to bring the RV!

    I was pretty successful a few years ago and now I struggle- it’s absolutely ridiculous

17. Cindy GloverJuly 17,2024 at 12:55PM UTC

    Dawn?? What time zone

18. AnonymousJuly 17,2024 at 3:51PM UTC

    For many of us in this community, work is supposed to be meaningful and fulfill some sort of purpose. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. For a lot of people, work is just work. It's a business transaction. You do what you do and you get what you get. Lots of happy people still work in the more blue collar fields and have happy and fulfilling lives. It really can be just about paying the bills and that's OK.

19. AnonymousJuly 17,2024 at 4:21PM UTC

    The good news is I'm completely straight arrow and don't have anything odd I wear. I probably look like a middle age librarian to most people :) And don't wear perfumes etc. I'm what you would probably call "plain" or "boring". Oh.. plus... I haven't gotten an interview in 3 years so now worries about looks or smells anyway :)

20. AnonymousJuly 17,2024 at 4:26PM UTC

    Hi Elizabeth-- you are very kind in the things you say and thank you for being so compassionate and throwing out so many ideas! I wish again I could say I haven't tried all of the things above but I have. I've been trying non stop for 3 years. I can't get public assistance either- not even food- when I asked- I got this answer from the state I live in: "no dependents, special needs or inclusion criteria status and am between the working ages of 18 and 55". I don't have any family that cares if I live or die. I literally have my dog and myself. But you are right.. I'm lucky to have my dog for sure. And maybe selling everything I owned on a whim to get a camper was a good choice after all. I guess I'll need to figure out where to bring my dog as I don't want him to suffer with me. He deserves better and I don't want him starving to death in a 10x5 box in the woods with me. That's what I should probably concentrate on rather than fooling myself into thinking I'll get a job.

21. AnonymousJuly 17,2024 at 7:43PM UTC

    I can't let him suffer my fate. Even if I could get him food at a shelter (I don't think we have no-kill in this state) where would he go? I am in the Carolinas. Southeast coast. Honestly as much as I appreciate your other ideas- at this point it appears I'm obsolete. I'm done begging to work and treading water.... I don't want to live in a women's shelter. I just want a safe place for my dog.

22. AnonymousJuly 17,2024 at 7:50PM UTC

    You start to ask yourself different questions. I decided long ago not to follow a traditional path. I look for alternative ways to build wealth and design my life. I consult, create content, provide services, etc.

    Not made for this world implies you don't have free will.

23. AnonymousJuly 18,2024 at 6:19AM UTC

    I don't have any thoughts. I feel everyone has value and can offer something.

24. AnonymousJuly 18,2024 at 1:04PM UTC

    Of course but I always persevere and eventually things turn around. I think you need to ask for mental help so you can actually see that you have choices. Goof luck.

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