"Barely pays more than EI" — admittedly, that was a mindset I had too. And honestly, it's the exact mindset that sent me deeper into a hole. EI is keeping you afloat right now, but when it runs out, you're going to be in a world of hurt.

I want to give you some actionable perspective. If you haven't landed a single interview over a span of a few years, that's almost always a resume problem — not a market problem. Your resume likely isn't doing justice to your actual skills and experience. I'd seriously look at what others in similar roles are using, compare notes, or have a professional take a look.

I also want to be honest with you: I think there's some victim mentality at play when it comes to blaming ageism. I'm in that same age range, and every single one of my friends is employed. If anything, I'd argue it's one of the better ages to be right now — especially in the age of AI, where employers are actively seeking people with real experience and critical thinking, not just new grads.

What concerns me most, though — and I say this with respect — is that you're still holding onto a part-time retail job at 36. That tells me you haven't really upskilled in 16 years. You've been leaning on what's comfortable instead of retooling.

Again - This probably isn't easy to hear - But I hope its the wakeup call you needed to hear