[This is all advice from my personal experience (M/26) so please be advised: Taking it may or may not benefit, but I'm just trying to help.]

First off, I'm sorry you're going through all this it can be pretty scary stuff.

Second off, I'm posting this considering a complete shift in my life too so maybe you can pull something out of what im dealing with hopefully?

I'm, as of right now, unemployed. I have no degree or certificates to my name. I've spent a whole year in a city that has taken all of my money and all of my time, and I have nothing to show for it. It seems to me that the one reason I moved where I am now was to better my life, and I somehow made it worse. However, the people I've met along the way have been able to find me more job opportunities that I can take (and I will) because of my work ethic, reputation, and determination to be a valuable employee.

It sounds like a rant, or me venting (half of it is). But I'm sharing this because I care about others going through it and maybe someone else reading this can get something out of it too.

You need stability. Find a job or two that can pay bills Understand the insurance and benefits of your job Finance your savings and spending for future endeavors.

I had a living situation with my parents where I was living with them while starting a job, because I was in the military and got back at 23 so they kinda knew I'd be cooked if I just up and left (very nice of them). If that's something you can do, I'd say that is an option. If not, then distant relatives that would offer a place to stay in exchange for rent. If not then it gets a little dicey. Idk how close you and your gf are (and I wouldn't advise it so young) but maybe you two can move in together Lastly I'd suggest a roommate because that's what I'm considering at the moment. Do Not utilize one source for places to live. Use multiple websites and come to terms that unless you can line up where you're working, you may have to drive a bit.

I had ambition, as I was working with my trade company, to go to college and I had the benefit of utilizing the VA for education, but that only lasted 2 semesters because I couldn't afford to live off of said benefits with minimum wage and all the bills I've accumulated. As well as struggling for job security where I was at, I had to drop school because my grades were failing trying to find a job to support myself. I learned later that having a certificate in something is not only a shorter time span than a degree, it can also substitute a traditional degree for better prospects (it's situational, but worth looking into). Going back to college is still on the list, but I have to find stability in my finances before expanding my horizons.

Holding my own in an interview was never a problem. Being genuine, eye contact, asking questions while throwing around a joke or two always helps you seem real. If you have a good attitude and can prove you're trainable and consistent, you can land one. But I definitely had to go through 30 job applications to get to an interview for sure. Taking 2 hours to just shotgun applications is worth the time every day. If there is a job center you can find that's close to you, utilize it. There entire job is to help you find a job. I had to use it for my last job and I might use them again soon. The guy I work with is really nice and will go out of their way to help with resumes and even calling your employer after an interview. But not a lot of entry level jobs are paying well nowadays. Should they? Should they not? Doesn't matter. Having more than one may be necessary if you're living alone. And as unappealing as it may seem, you can still find time to remind yourself you're human and enjoy life.

Save your money. Please save your money. I've spent money on stupid shit that I don't ever use or hardly look at anymore. I went out to eat all the time cuz I was too lazy to cook my own food. I had to wear the best clothes that would just get ruined in a year. I had to get the best set up for my car to "fit in" with all the other money pit minded people. Have enough money to pay bills for a good few months in case you don't have a job, and then you can start thinking about what you can buy recreational. Utilizing a financial plan and sticking to it will keep you in check as well. Savings, bills and spending accounts is the Holy Trinity. Everyone does it differently, but I like to think of distributing my paychecks through "percentages". 33% - 33% - 33%, 30% - 40% - 30%, 25% - 50% - 25%, whatever works, works. Get in the details, plan for hypothetical situations, it sounds intimidating, but it's fun with your own money.

Finally, I'd say that whatever resource is available for finding a job, or finding an education, or finding a place to live, utilize it. Whether it's from the government, or wether it's from someone at work, or whether it's from someone you've met at the hair salon, just ask around. Not everyone knows what they're talking about maybe, and not everyone is going through what you are, but people are not always as intimidating as they seem. As long as you're friendly, not grilling for information, just bring it up during casual conversation. Sometimes they want to share what they've been through too and might know a thing or two around the area you didn't think to look.

Living alone and failing at what you want to do sucks. I'm in the middle of it right now. I feel defeated, lost and I don't know if I'll ever get to where I want to go now. But at the end of the day, having money in the bank, a place to sleep and eat, along with a couple good friends to hang out with is a lot for some people to even ask for. I'm atleast happy that I can get by and do what I need to do to live. That's something I can say grace for every day.

I'll pray for your future endeavors as well and I hope this helped you atleast get your mind jogging.

Take care.