In my opinion, since early 1999 my life has been, what seems to be uncharacteristically challenged or just plain abnormal compared to the rest of the world. I've worked for huge corporations since the age of 17, I'm now 42.  I experienced my first job loss April of 1999 due to cutbacks in my field.  My then husband, threw me out of a house which I invested more time, money and sweat equity in then he.  This was because of a traded-off for another woman. (That experienced caused me to be homeless for a couple months, until a long time girlfriend took me in.)  Since then, I have experienced unemployment accumulating 3 years in the past 6, (length, partially due to the timing of first job loss and the events of 911). My fiance, was diagnosed with cancer, in 2003 but is now in remission. (I believe that aged me about 10 years in only 15 months.)  He and I purchased a house, which, unknown to was filled with 5, of 7, caustic molds and created the loss of 90%, of all our interior walls, as well as the removal of the kitchen and bathroom walls, and cabinets.  My last employer accused my of falsifying my attendance records, then told me to go home and substantiate my attendance on three miscellaneous days of the past 6 months.  They did not allow me access to my colleagues, (which I stupidly, respected),  or access to my work space, computer or paper files.  I wasn't able to figure out where I was, on planet earth, during that 3 day suspension, so they fired me.  Now I have a tarnished record and no corporation worth a dam will hire me.  I believe my immediate supervisor, (whom I was becoming more estranged from had something to do with that little ditty.  The biggest blow was the loss of my grand father in early 2004 and my nephew in August of 2004.  I was especially close to my nephew.  He was only 21, and was in my everyday since his birth.  Lastly, (I hope!)  Good old uncle Sam is evaluating my 2003 taxes, which I'm having difficulty in substantiating since everything in our house was half/hazredly boxed and shipped off into a storage facility.  I have to wade through a sea of unlabelled boxes to find anything.  A stove is difficult to identify in the space.  All this in 6 years.  I don't know how to function anymore.  Am I just being a baby?
132904
no, ur not bien a baby. life can be a bitch. how i figure it is dont look @ what u've lost or what u dont have 'cause that will just bring u down. instead think of evry thing u do have and b appreciative of it. im only 17 & i have taken more hits than u could imagine, but i'm happy 'cause i dont dwell on what happened in the past. u dont walk backwards do u? then y should u live in yesteryear? live the now instead of then & be happy that u can still expierce the bumps & bruises from life.
89091
Well, I'm middle-aged too (44); we're not ALL kids out here!\nOne thing that surprises me most at this stage of life is how far I've gone with very little education.  I'm merely a high-school graduate, but have a fun, interesting, well-paying job and a bright future.  I'm living proof that even the dumbest among us can succeed!\nAnother thing that surprises me is how screwy my friends' lives are.  Between divorces, dalliances, ventures into some of the...ahem...darker areas of life, and debt, some of my friends are really teetering on the crumbly edge!   I thought I had a monopoly on leading a screwed-up life!\nThe last thing that surprises me is how much I enjoy going back to school.  Last year I started taking pre-engineering courses at my local community college.  I'm very satisfied with my progress, and have something to look forward to when I retire in another 11 years or so.
347686
If you already started one job, and quit suddenly, what would those people think that hired you and you quit?  They wouldn't hire you at all in 4-10 years right?  So you need to find out which job is more important to have right now, because you are living in the now, not 4 years. If the other job is better, and is more promising for your future, you have already started, so it's too late to quit that one. You already made your mistake so you've got to live with it, unless you really think that other job is so important that you should not leave it.  All I'm saying is that you need to put your all into one job, not be divided between two jobs. If you don't quickly decide and follow through you might end up with no job. Why did you take another job unless it's better paying or better for you?
246743
I've been there when my kids were young. I've been evicted because I didn't have a job or a way to pay the rent. I've also had to turn off the heat because I couldn't pay the bill. So you could see your breath in our home. I felt like a terrible mother.\n\nNow, many years later, I'm doing great and so are my kids. My experience motivated me to work on the board of directors for our local homelsss organization. We recently put up an apartment house for people who needed to get on their feet. It's free rent, free food, free job help, etc. People can stay for up to four months while they make progress toward getting on their feet, and we have the support of local government and businesses because they know it is a well-run program. \n\nWe also have a halfway house for people trying to get off alcohol and drugs. They must remain clean, they must sign in and out, they must attend AA meetings, etc. It has an 85% success rate. They can stay up to 18 months, but most people leave earlier because they successfully got off drugs and found a job an a place to live.\n\nWe also have a day center where people can take showers, do their laundry, store their belongings, get job counseling, have two free meals a day, etc. In the winter, our local churches open up to allow people to sleep in the community rooms, and we bus them there. No drugs or alcohol are allowed.\n\nI think more communities should be doing this. Too many people are just one paycheck away from the street, especially because today's businesses have no loyalty to their workers. You can be fired for no reason at all. Read the paperwork you sign when you take your job. It specifically says you can be let go with no warning and with no reason. I think that's absolutely shameful.
82205
1. Consider yourself blessed. If your bosses would just pick up and close shop the way they did, did you really want to be loyal to a place like that.\n\n2. Call unemployment and file as quickly as possible.\n\n3. Did you have a 401k plan? If so, you may be able to    \n   withdraw against it (There are tax and early withdrawal \n   penalties involved) But if you need the money,   \n   sometimes you do what you gotta do.\n\n4. Call all utilities and get on their budget plan. This \n   will begin to help you formulate a budget if don't  \n   already have one. And you'll know what your basic bills \n   wlll be each month.\n\n5. Write a letter to all your creditors telling them you  \n   will be making lower payment amounts because your income \n   situation has changed.\n\n6. Update your resume.\n\n7. Ask any and everybody, do they know of any place hiring.\n\n8. Surf the net for possible leads.\n\n9. Post your resume to a job search site like Monster dot \n   com.\n\n10.Volunteer somewhere doing something.  Sometimes you can \n   find the answer to your problems by helping someone else \n   with theirs. And who knows this may be where you get  \n   your best leads from. \n\n11.Exercise. If you don't already, start a routine that \n   will help you reduce stress.\n\n12. Finally, is there a dream in your life you haven't \n    reached for? Maybe now is the time to do what you were \n    sent here to do. When you are reaching for something  \n    you have always wanted, you'll encouter stumbling  \n    blocks but you'll never fail. Self employment might be \n    calling your name. You have 30 years of service, you \n    can't tell me you don't have the background to succeed \n    at whatever you want to do.\n\nI wish you Godspeed and the best of luck.
237589
Your health could be better if you went to the doctor to get proper treatment to lesson your anxieties, which can lead to depression and illness.  The laughing stock and no one respects me is blown out of proportion in your mind.  Things always look more grim when we have hit bottom.  Nothing good or bad ever lasts that you can be sure of.  If your career is going nowhere, then find something else.. keep persevering, don't give up..  Some of the most famous people in history failed more times before they were finally successful.  They were resilient and did not give up.  Sometimes a kick in the teeth does wonders for us.  It makes us wake up to what is working and what not is working.  Change is not often liked but is the one thing we can be sure of.  A dramatic change in your family might have some positive outcomes down the track, but you won't certainly see it now, and in the end and at the end of the day family is all that truely matters.  Broke..!  If your reasonably intelligent you can always make more money, start again.. if you have to wash dishes.. do it, don't think about it until you find something better..  Most of all believe in yourself because nobody else will..  Hope you get on your feet again soon..  Best Wishes..
515413
You'll not know that until it happens. I'm told some never find anything they like, but I was lucky and found something I loved. I used to enjoy getting up in the morning and going to work. The money was good after I learned more about it and I stayed doing that job (42 years) until I retired 2 months ago. I still miss it. You'll know when you have it if your lucky. Trying to plan what your career will be would be very difficult I would think. If you've never done the job before, how do you know if it's what you want? The one thing I knew for a fact was I didn't want to work in a factory or even in the same building forever.
502971
Yes I have and I played the role like everything was fine out in public and behind closed doors I was a mess. I cried for no reason and stopped taking phone calls from friends and never left my house nor let any one in. I can say that I'm finally coming out it and realizing that you can't do it alone. You really do need positive people in your life and you need prayer. When yo surround your self with positive prayful people who truley have your best interest at heart that tends to bring you out of your funk. I'm thankful everyday for my life and for God giving us Jesus. Be thankul for you life and for having this moment to make a difference. I think if you actually find soemthing to make your life meaningful whether it's voluteering in a food bank or just giving back to the community in some way; it should make you feel happy and blessed and hopefully help you realize that your life is great. You're alive you have access to a computer, you can read as well as write. Just that right there makes you better off than a whole lot of people. Love yourself and love your life right now because you never know when it may end; so give them something to talk about.  I love you in Christ and I wish you healing and blessings.
191146
I'm 25, already have a baby, I work full time in an international chinese company in Mexico...I'm just so busy all the time. I'm actually wondering if it's gonna be like this for the rest of my life. I wish I could just quit my job to spend more time with my baby before he grows up and doesn't need me anymore. See...I think this is a crisis.
648952
We're all placed in stressful situations sometimes that are difficult to cope with. My best advice to you is to look at the positive side of things. The fact that you have a job and an income is a good thing. The fact that you are using a computer to access the Internet is a great privilege (believe me it's a privilege). The fact that you were raised in this great nation is an opportunity. You sound young and you entire life is ahead of you. This is only a chapter in your life. A chapter is bound to end when another begins. Have patience and faith in yourself and in your ability to change your perception of your situation. Thank God for the moments that you have. Remember, this is life, not a dress rehearsal. Make everyday count. And finally, I have personally found that I feel a lot better when I stop focusing on my own problems and try to offer help to someone else. We get so focused on self sometimes that we forget that there are people out there who are in a much worst situation than us. Try to lend a helping hand to someone, and you will see how blessed you will become.
239313
Oh My God, that is a terrible and sad story. I really wish that I knew what to tell you or at least had some good advise. Being kicked out of my girlfriends house just a few months ago, I can relate to some of what you are going through. You will have hard times and sadness for a long time no doubt. But believe it or not, it does get easier as time goes by. That does not help you right now I know, and for that I am also sorry. There really isnt anything that I can tell you or that anybody can tell you really that will ease your pain and suffering. But for sure you need to keep your head about you and do whatever it takes to get you and your son through this horrible time in your life. I can be your e-mail pal/friend if you want, and again I wish I had some quick-fix remedy. Keep your chin up. (smile)
74327
That's life, you don't plan for things like that, they just fall on your lap and you gotta deal with them. So you've been fired after 15 years on the job, well, look at the brightside: you've got no choice now but to get yourself together and move on to bigger and better things. It sure sucks to loose a job, but in the end what would have 15 more years in the same company brought to you.
420280
You have asked a challenging question.  It is impossible to tell in a few sentances what has happened in the past 5 years. Even from one year to another, it is  hard to give  accurate details . . .  but you know what, you are doing great!  you  have given  answers to Yahoo questions and it does'nt look like you need much help on what is going on. You must have been watching TV while you were in your coma.
141326
Have you thought about going into business for yourself, say human resources consulting given your experience?  Given the amount of information needed to start your own business, that search will keep you occupied for a few weeks minimum.\n\nAnd if you're like most people, there's always the "I'd like to start a business in..." something totally unrelated to what you've been doing before.  Now's the time to get busy!\n------\nI have to agree with other posters who say that getting fired over trivial mistakes over employment dates is a crock.  That's a sign the employer is firing for some other reason, possibly discrimination.  If you think that may be the case, talk with a lawyer....
302089
THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT! IM 29 AND RECENTLY MOVED BACK IN WITH MY PARENTS CAUSE I HAD A STRING OF BAD LUCK AND FINANCIALLY COULDNT DO IT ANYMORE,I ALSO HAVE A GOOD PAYING JOB BUT THATS NOT THE POINT YOU NEED A LITTLE BREATHING ROOM TO FIGURE YOURSELF OUT THATS WHAT IM DOING I WONT BE HOME FOREVER BUT UNTIL THEN IM MAKING A NEW BEGINNING FOR MYSELF WITH A CLEAN SLATE
617956
Maybe you want to consider starting your own business.  When I lost my job a few years ago, I felt about like you did for about 1 day. After that, I made a decision that while searching for another job (which is Just Over Broke) I would search for something I could do to start my own business. \n\nDid you get what I said? I "made a decision" and then took action.\n\nIf you can't do this then don't expect things to get better any time soon. Should you consider your own business, you can get some ideas on this site.\n\nWhatever you decide to do (and you have to decide yourself) \ndo it with great passion and you will succeed.
28950
I thought it was illegal for a company to fire you.  They don't have to hold your old job but they have to have a job for you. I would like to thank you for your sacrifice, it's because of people like you that I can enjoy my freedom. Shame on all of the companies who don't honor our veterans. As the wife of an active duty soldier it really burns me up.  good luck to you, and again THANK YOU!!!! Maybe call your local news affiliates and bring it to thier attention.