No job, no goals, no idea

I'd been working in customer service jobs for 20 years until late last year when I finally broke and admitted how much I hate it and how detrimental it was to my health. Daily panic attacks at work ended what was, to date, my best job yet (at a cannabis dispensary). My anxiety is off-the-charts bad, and yet, I tortured myself for 20 years because I have no other life skills. I needed jobs that were easily escapable.

Now I'm going on 2 months unemployed again after being unemployed for much of the last 3 years, living on dwindling savings, and have no energy or willingness to look for a new job. I just cancelled my health insurance because I can't afford it. Go USA...

The only thing I've ever cared about is being a musician and a writer, yet no one in my life supports that. My "pragmatic" support group makes sure to remind me there's no money in it, it's too difficult to achieve, and I should have bigger priorities. That's easy to say when they're employed with a steady career. And my couple musician friends have abandoned me for their own lives.

Any recommendations for even part-time jobs that are low-stress/low-anxiety and non-customer facing? The cannabis grow facility had too many unvaccinated individuals for me to consider switching there (I'm immunocompromised).

[Louie35]

Look up social services in your area, maybe you qualify for medicaid, as far as work maybe look through Craigslist, find an odd job here or there until you find something more permanent to your liking. I wish i could help more, reach out to family or friends!!

Its not like you are starting from scratch, you have 20 years experience, post your resume on monster or one of those websites!!!

[Hidden in reply to Louie35]

Thanks, I don't qualify for Medicaid currently where I'm at.

[Hidden]

That's an idea I've considered before. Hopefully if I get some will back, I can reconsider it again. Thanks!

[Ryanlion]

If you believe in your talent for music and writing, dont give up. Dont listen to those who discourage you, listen to your heart. That is where all your passion is. It took 7 rejections before J.K.Rowlings work was accepted. If your born to be a musician and writer, do it in your spare time but have a job to feed yourself. It doesnt have to be anything special. The care assistant sounds like a good option. If everyone believed what theyre told, about it being too difficult to get into. There would be no musicians in the world .IGo for it.

[Hidden in reply to Ryanlion]

Thanks Ryanlion for your kindness, I do believe in myself on good days, less so on bad days. The hardest battle it seems is developing a confidence in myself that has never existed prior. I took a step earlier tonight, and hopefully I can take another one soon.

[Knit11]

Perhaps giving private music lessons in a community center or playing music for babies in preschool.

[Hidden in reply to Knit11]

Thanks for the suggestion. That's an option I've tried in the past (teaching) but it made me realize I'm more of a writer and less a teacher. Like I don't know technique and stuff, I just enjoy the act of creating. At least I learned that though.

[metalminded]

Though it can be hard work but non-customer facing and plenty of entry level jobs available, warehouse work. We are similar in that I’ve been in warehouse and logistics for over 30 years and like you I have had enough.

I love music and wish I would have done something in the industry in the years before streaming.

I’m not a musician though, I envy your talent!

Are there any recording studios near you? That would be a great place to target for work too.

Like others said, get a full time job and work on your music in your down time. Earn money to buy some home recording equipment, there’s software for computers too.

Don’t give up your passion it may take time but you can do it!!

[Hidden in reply to metalminded]

Thank you for the suggestion and insight! That is an industry I've never tried but have been curious as about due to it being non-customer facing. I'm sorry to hear you're feeling similar feelings of burn out.

[metalminded in reply to Hidden]

You’re welcome! And thank you.

What instrument do you play?

What genre of music do you enjoy and play?

[Daveacr1959]

There is a shortage in the blue collar trades. Sometimes working with your hands can take your mind off things and learn and get paid . Do guided deep breathing exercises with long breath holds free on you tube. Cool shower helps with anxiety and depression. Even better a 5-10 minute cold dip.

[Blueruth in reply to Daveacr1959]

Trades is a great idea I forgot about. There is a major shortage and it pays decent to start and really well with experience. I’m actually a little jealous…the stigma is still high but that just means more opportunities for people that know better. With the UI the displaced worker program should cover training.

[Blueruth]

I think you have not looked into aid that is available to you. Medicaid is available. During open enrollment you get subsidies. I am guessing you overestimated your income during that last enrollment period because it should be nearly free.

There is a displaced worker transition program that funds education into another field. You can continue to collect ui while you train. My state also has an additional program. This is actually the thing you would most benefit

You can take advantage of free employment and interview skills training at your local workforce center. They also have computer training there and at your local library…online even. Most have an agreement with LinkedIn learning for free. Google has some free training too. You need spreadsheet and word skills for any office job.

I have transitioned to new careers several times. It is actually expected now.

Writing and music…Writing can be a career all alone. Content creators are in high demand and are expected to continue to. You usually start by writing for those how to sites. Pay is nothing but you build a portfolio. Become an expert in something music and write about it. Write about customer service and post on medium then share on the many Reddit sites …What a timely topic. Companies hire content creators to write quality blog posts which alone can draw people to their website. That pays well. Your group is dead wrong. This is where those fed funds help, in fact it is an ideal career that they would fund.

[Blueruth]

I do agree with your group that you should have bigger goals and priorities. A cannabis job is just as dead end as a cashier job. I always tell people to ban the word job and replace it with career and stop relying on a single company for your livelihood. That is guaranteed disappointment.

[Hidden in reply to Blueruth]

I recognize this is your opinion, but it's actually the opposite of the support I'm seeking. I really enjoyed my job at the cannabis dispensary and had hoped to continue there. There are some wonderful people there. It is not a dead end job by any means and that's pretty hurtful to hear someone say in a forum like this. It is not guaranteed disappointment at all.

[Blueruth in reply to Hidden]

Okay, I made a wrong assumption. I think there is a point that you are not seeing though. If you are making a career of it then I hope you are calling it a career not a job. That is precisely my point. There are good careers in cs. Rereading your post is a little confusing. Is that a cs job or are you working in the manufacturing side? Regardless you could use some of the advice you didn’t respond to and taking some training would mean you aren’t in a job that is miserable. I believe your definition of a deadened job is different than Mine.

If all you want is sympathy and not ideas like you asked for then I’ll end with …I’ve been there more than once and I ended up better off in the long run. You may too.

[Hidden in reply to Blueruth]

I see your point, I just don't care for the way you're going about making it. It's ok if we disagree, but your posts come across as demeaning and aggressive. I'm someone who has been heavily traumatized by aggressive people in the past, so to receive that kind of dialogue on this site is very upsetting to me.

[JohnPB]

I did some work for around 20 years that involved quite a bit of customer service. I could probably get a customer service job working from home, but the thought of dealing with problems all day long feels overwhelming just thinking about it. You sound like your strengths and interests are being creative since you like music and writing. Have you thought about or done freelance writing, such as writing articles?

It is true that it can be difficult to make sufficient money from being a musician or a writer. Who knows you may be able to be one of those who will be able to generate enough money.

Having direction, goal(s), and a purpose usually helps us feel better. Consider seeing if you can get some financial assistance for short-term employment training that is better suited to your interests. Check with local government employment support programs in your area.

[Hidden in reply to JohnPB]

Thanks John! I did actually do some freelance writing in 2020/2021. It was fun to write about things I liked, although there are still some minor hoops you have to jump through (making sure your topics are "hot" and such). But yes, a great suggestion and one I had kind of forgotten about.

[JohnPB in reply to Hidden]

Hi BrownPaperLeaf, Glad to hear my suggestion was helpful. I am working on submitting some articles on the topic of what is like to be age 60 plus and carless in Colorado. I have had many adventures getting around primarily by bicycling and walking. In February of this year, I walked about 2 and a half miles to work through the snow in 5 degree weather. No one had to tell me to chill out.

[Blueruth]

A career doesn't need an employer. It doesn't need a specific employer. That is the point. You could be confusing work with a job. Careers and jobs require work to be successful. Always. They are intertwined.

I can't tell you how many times in IT or business services I meet someone who thinks they have job security doing some tedious process manually every day only to lose their job. They were doing the same thing for so long it was not work. Now they have dated skills and no job. I do feel bad for them but if the person had actually automated it themself they would have transferrable skills the day that company lays everyone off. At one time I was too dependent on Microsoft for my paycheck. I didn't work for them. I worked with their products. They were nearly a monopoly in corporations. By then I was getting jobs. I didn't have a sustainable career. I didn't feel comfortable with that so I deliberately got training in other systems. Today I don't even use windows or office but I could. There is just a ton more alternatives out there. I am freelance.

[Blueruth]

Your situation sounds different. In open enrollment there are subsidies for low income. Outside open enrollment if cobra is a burden I you can switch to different insurance through the exchange. If you cancel first you might lose that advantage but might as well look it up. Subsidies are based on information you provide. I actually guessed too high in 2019 which was a real bummer. The guy told me I should guess low and I didn't follow the advice.