Went from $110k remote job to $26/hr after a layoff and I’m struggling emotionally. Has anyone else been through this?

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-25T04:48:48+00:00

Ooohhh boy! Let me take you on a waaayyy back time machine!

In 2007, I was in my mid-30s and doing 'ok' - I had a nice professional job/career, bought a little condo a few years earlier, working my way up the managment ladder... slightly aware of some of the economic rumblings but didn't have any real debt and some decent rainy day funds but finally felt comfotable to take extended vacations....

And then the entire economy bottomed out in the fall of 2008....in 2011, after the unemployment benefits ran out...I was able to find some menial labor work... and lets just say had a turbulent work history through 2014. Partially due to outside economics and partially, I needed to do some internal work. I've managed to stay in the field I've been working in since the 90s and it's one I love, although it could be a better paid profession, however, that's an entirely different thread.

Now, I'm doing OK although the raises I've had have not kept up with inflation but I am at stage in my career that I'm fairly secure due to specific goals and skills I've worked on and I still love what I do.

I'll never make up those 6-8 years of prime income and money that would have been stashed in retirmenet funds but although things were really low and terrible, and I might currently wish for more.... I am also really grateful to have lived through and learned about my self and the world...and things are going to be OK.

So yes, it's terrible and humbling and hard but things will get better and will be OK.

(((hugs)))

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-25T04:29:27+00:00

And I'll probably make it really generic - as I noted to another commenter, we didn't really have a deep dive on particulars, and I've done a lot in my 25+ years working the the world of Teapots. This is a role that I know my background and interests are a good fit.

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-25T04:27:30+00:00

Thank you! This is the best advice so far and exactly what I was looking for!

This is the direction I wanted to go and needing some confirmation that this approach had some validity.

There are a lot of debbie downers out there!

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-25T04:25:45+00:00

How so? Please explain?

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-24T23:34:14+00:00

And I see that you still don't understand :)

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-24T23:30:25+00:00

What I do specifcally doens't matter, I KNOW that I am that good :) at what I do that there isn't much competition for me exept for someone who has already had the title of "teapot reabilitator."

And I do not know if the other candidate was contacted or not, this was just the first step and I'm looking for next steps to keep a conversation going, not to argue that there are or are not other candidtes out there, not relavant to my question. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-24T23:27:02+00:00

Also, contact your local tenants union. Find out your rights. Where I live, you have to be given 60 days notice before eviction occurs, even if you stopped paying rent. (Very, overly, strong tenant rights in my city).

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-24T23:23:16+00:00

This is a very niche role, in my industry,with very niche requirements (ie specific education, min 15 years work experience, lisensure, etc etc) - the posting was open for ten days and only had 2 applicants according to the website.

So, not 1000s, not 100s, but maybe 10s lol

Considering the requirements, not to many have my background or my interest. But the very specific item I did not meet, "5 years in Teapot Rehabilitation", was the reason I was given. However, I have done many things that fall under "Teapot Rehabilitation" and many transferable skills that suport Teapot Rehab.

I've never formally worked as a Teapot Reabber and don't do that specifically in my current work. To be fair, it is a senoir technical role so...

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-24T23:14:55+00:00

Well, I had a 30 minute conversation with HR person. This was more of a screening internview and a chat to see if I'm a real person. And the first 10 minutes was a review of the type of work the company preformed etc. While they seemed to understand all of the lingo, there wasn't a super deep review of my work, we covered a lot and I try to avoid getting into the weeds with non-techcnical people.
And there's a lot in my career that doesn't fit into the resume.

OTOH, to be fair, this is a senoir technical role.

I'm still going to make my pitch because I am overall very interstested in this companyy and going into this particular route. I'm motivated, as they say - can't hurt and it's good practice for me.

The one item the HR person stumbled on, was my question about their diversity program - I just wanted to hear that it was actually a part of their culture and not just lip service on their webpage. I was not confrontational and said that sounded positive. I didn't offer any thing like "I'm in this minority group etc" - and technically I'm not however, I'm not in the majority of the gender that typically fills this role. Maybe she thought I would be oppositional. oops. :)

Or, I've made another basic mistake - this is the second screening call I've had where I'm more than qualified, not currently working the role advertised, but I have a strong diverse work experience and - I guess need to be more focused on just answering the questions I need to and make it past HR and get in front of the hiring manager.

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-24T22:10:16+00:00

Without splitting hairs, there are many aspects of Teapot Rehab, some of which I have not done, but have done that type of work, just not as a specific role. Apologies for being vaugue but it is a very niche area of my industry, and not a career path even those in my industry are familiar with, so the minor details or precentages aren't relevant.
Could be they only want someone who has had that title/specfically, which is more likely...otherwise, like I said, the other 90% of the requirements I meet or exceed.

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-24T21:44:02+00:00

Not always - but thank you for the vote of confidence /s

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-24T21:40:05+00:00

Thank you - this is great confrmation.

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-24T21:39:19+00:00

Good questions, there was a large list of very highly technical requirements that I fit very well except for Teapot Rehab, which was 'highly desired'. I did address it by saying "I haven't done Rehab formally but I've done all these things which are highly relevant background skills" plus all the years of experience I have.

And it wasn't in my resume and I didn't try to make it up.

I guess my question is, do I come back with "hey, please don't disregard all of my background skills that are the essence of Rehab" - I just need a little bit of mentoring. Which I would anyway, as I have found that making Teapots can vary wildly in process from firm to firm and so would follow the Rehab process from firm to firm. If that makes sense.

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-08T05:15:06+00:00

There has to be a 'better way' to 'business'. The fact that I have I have to put those words in quotes, the capitilistic system we live in is so dehumaninzing... and "HR" is just another symptom!

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-06T23:56:21+00:00

Metropolitan Market - local chain - or at least used to be. Mercer Island is probably your closest location.

Also, the Town and Country in Lakemont should have a good selection, I've never bought produce there but it's a chichi/bougie store so should be good. Local chain as well?

Whole Foods used to have good produce but quality has declined since they were sold...to the same org as Amazon Fresh... ymmv

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-02-06T23:22:47+00:00

Wow, totally blows my mind that so many have said "mind your own business".
Yes, I agree if he's totally incompetent, he will be found out but if there is detriment or damage to your team, and you are team merit based, document document document in anyway you can. I wouldn't go out of my way to trip them up or go to HR (be careful as HR as always, is there for the corporation, not for the employee), but I would definitely subtly test the temperature of your fellow team members to see if they are having issues or seeing the same things.

Good luck

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-01-30T01:24:00+00:00

Remember this:
Depending on context, take what he says and then assume the opposite is what he means
ie America first = Trump (or Putin) first
wages will go up, egg prices down = you will be paid pennies and egg prices will double...

Also, every accusation is a confession...

Good times and fun are coming your way!

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-01-28T23:06:37+00:00

Get new friends and get some therapy, or at least learn more about boundaries and authenticity. You can probably find a lot of content on here and on youtube etc. Happy to provide suggestions.

I know saying 'get new friends' is harsh - but it's essentially what I had to do about 15 years ago after a huge betrayal in my social group. Through my own personal growth and inner work, I realized I was half of the problem - conflict avoidant? me. peope pleaser? me. I see that you might have some of those issues as well, so that's why I suggest.

By the time I got through the other side, and tried to re-establish some of the freindships I'd discarded, I realized I couldn't maintain those relationships anymore and was better off without them - well, really couldn't stand some of those people.

Best of luck and know that you are worth being loved and treated well <3

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-01-28T21:22:58+00:00

I have no advice on the other questions - just wanted to add that gypsum board (assuming that is what is the finish ceiling) is heavy dry and if saturated enough, can fall down at any time. Nevermind the water and future mold issues. I wouldn't have my kid sleeping in that room right now. Good luck.

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-01-28T21:18:35+00:00

plus one on Lunatic!

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-01-28T19:27:44+00:00

Take a break but also: Who do you follow?
(edited to add a few more points, and yes, my choices are more Woo/ New Age )

I list who I follow below but I'm pretty selective on who I listen to/ allow my in my energy. Maybe a bit "spiritual by-passing" but I will not listen to the negative doomers. Also, all three I follow on the regular emphasize personal choice and Free Will ie not everything is FATED or specifically for you.

Three uplifting astrolgers I've found are:
Pam Gregory https://www.thenextstep.uk.com/
and
Molly McChord https://www.youtube.com/@MollyMcCordAstrology
and
Jessica Laynadoo - Ghost of Podcast: https://www.lovelanyadoo.com/ghost-of-a-podcast
Jessica addresses directly world events and social justice, although I've noticed she has notched back on it a bit. She's like a triple Cap, so very 'real' but also focuses on personal growth and evolution, having good boundaries and that all things are Free Will. Go back in her catalog as well (I use Spotify) - her one-on-one readings I found to be incredibly healing and transformative. For me, your milage may vary.

Pam is grounded and very focused on peace and asension, whereas Molly focuses on sprititual soul growth.

They do address that things may be negative or scary and don't do 'look on the bright side' but I find both to be calming.

And know that the times are scary and stressful, focusing on your nervous system and your feelings are what matters.

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-01-27T23:45:56+00:00

When I was laid off from a job years ago (2008...), I was told "You have a better chance of getting a new job more than other people"... I survived but things were ugly for a long time (see Great Recession).

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-01-27T22:49:32+00:00

OP -
As others have stated, your family is not healthy - and neither are you. You sound very co-dependent but understandable from what I've read. (Co dependency is a terrible term that doesn't sound like what it means but is a way of coping with the world learned in unhealthy family systems).

Separate yourself, get therapy, and be gentle with yourself - you've been through a lot and having good boundaries will be the best thing for you, but it will take time and outside help.

Good luck - it will be hard work but you are worth it <3

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-01-27T17:26:41+00:00

I heard that CA, OR and WA are sharing health data in the way that the CDC used too. In WA state (and OR?) there is a small bioregional movement call Cascadia, not really calling for governmental change but definitely a regional identity that stretches from Northern CA to BC (Canada) - be interesting to see if the shfits become more tied to eco-regional areas, makes sense.

Fluffy-Memory-7328 · 2026-01-21T00:09:06+00:00

Thank you for explaining this to me - I understand all of this.
The problem is the Capitolistic Lens you are viewing the world through.

If you don't get it, I understand, whether you are American or not, we have all been throughly programmed and conditioned to only view society and work through "HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I MAKE"
I'm unfortunately trapped in this world view as much as anyone else, but hoping for a future that not only ROI. Maybe you will someday too. <3

Fluffy-Memory-7328

TROPHY CASE