Hi. I'm not completely jobless, but I'm underemployed and definitely underpaid in a security guard job. Normally I'd have two sources of income, this job and a side business videoing events like weddings. Between the two sources of income, I'd normally slide by the bills and have a little money saved.. Thanks to COVID, social gatherings like weddings have been kaput, so I'm relying on this security guard job as my one and only source of income. At $10, maybe $11 an hour, some weeks only 30-35 hours, the pay is pitifully inadequate and I'm at the mercy of my employer's last-minute scheduling changes, working me all kinds of weird hours, any day, any shift, morning, evening or overnight, putting me in gatehouses and other potentially hostile situations dealing with the general public. Sometimes I'm sleeping in my car if I'm reasonably sure where I'm working next, to be close to the job site, save money on gas and car repairs, as well as get an extra hour per day of sleep. This perpetual uncertainty, not being in control of my life, being at the whims, the beck and call of my employer, who could give a rat's ass about my mental and physical health, just needs to get their shifts filled, is negatively affecting my emotions, is causing me to sink into depression, is spiking my anxiety, as well as frequent bouts of anger, for sure. In between shifts in the security guard job, I'm trying to get a third income off the ground producing audiobooks, while I look for another steady job (I'm leaning toward Amazon or Costco Wholesale warehouse) and I'm not seeing any openings where I live right now. I wish you success in your job quest. What type of work did you do before the COVID lockdown?

Hello Fries. Welcome to DS.

Does it count that I'm on the other side of that conundrum? I desperately need to hire help and am paralyzed by befuddlement over the social instability of Coronaville. Since March, I have not been confident buying groceries, much less interviewing employees. I am not afraid of The Virus, but that social instability is knocking the sensibility out of me.

A year ago I was in the midst of a farm restoration project which was a piece of the start up puzzle for an LLC (Limited Liability Corporation) Hubs and I were working as part of our retirement dreams. Neither Hubs and I much like doing nothing. Our retirement dreams were of a more sensible way of staying busy. The dreams were going remarkably well when a series of unfortunate events with our adult children brought the entire operation to a screeching halt with the need for us to pitch in with the care of our 3 grandchildren, ages 6, 4 and 9 months. Both my son and his wife (Mommy and Daddy) were killed in a traffic accident in September, moving the child care from "pitching in" to the start of a second parenting career at the ages of 63 and 65. We believed we were on the verge of stabilizing that tragic turn of events when along came Corona. All our hard won progress was derailed by global germaphobia.

Girl howdy, we need help, buttttttttaaaaa. . . That world **Out There** looked too crazy to trust before the Maskite takeover. Coronaville looks too crazy for words. 6 feet is nowhere near enough social distance for us these days unless it is 6 feet under.

I am so sorry that you’re going through this. So many people have lost their jobs and lives have been put on hold because of COVID-19. I finally get to a place to where I feel like I can go to school and COVID-19 shows up and knocks it all down. I love to do nails and eyelashes and am currently doing them out of my home...but with COVID I’m too scared to take on more than my regulars. I’m new to this site but I’m always here if you need someone to talk to. Xoxo

Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

Best wishes finding your better balance.

Koolman-

Thank you for your story, Ironically enough, I too was in the wedding industry as a planner so can totally commiserate with your story. I'm thinking about picking up some retail work now that things in NYC are beginning to open up just to give myself something to do and feel semi-fulfilled. Keep me posted on your hunt, too!

Arfie,

Good God I am so saddened hearing your story. The world needs more people with your spark because even after reading such tragedy, I can hear the optimism and hope in your typing, God bless your family and thank you for your kind words of encouragement,

Pinkglitter- thank you so much for sharing. I'm sure you're so talented in your craft and Corona has detailed your plans to help other women feel beautiful and you fulfilled.. Please hang in there and don't lose your drive to go to school because YOU WILL have the opportunity when the world bounces back. I have faith. I'm so happy to have met so many wonderful people already and have friends who understand how I feel xoxo

I lost my job of over 10 years. Boss (ex) got stressed out and took it out on me. I did nothing wrong but she said I had a bad attitude +.
Every day I felt like I was living on the edge of a razor blade. Still am but no job anymore.
I finally had one month of $11 an hour and about 28 hours a week. Felt like hog heaven to me. Now unemployment and waiting for phone call to interview. Never thought I would have to beg for a job at my age but I am there.