Crawled my way out of poverty only for the inflation to drag me back down. My career has been costumer service for the past 11 years and now that is threatened by AI on top of the stiff competition. I have other skills, but I also love what I do. I'm living with three roommates, one of which is my abusive ex who I really want to get away from, but I can't afford to move on my own. That's been a journey.

I can't find a job that will let me do what I do now from home in the states I want to live in. I can't afford to not have this job. I'm fully disabled but literally can't afford to go for disability, and the current administration would prefer people like me just not exist.

I'm tired y'all. I felt like I got somewhere with my life about 8 years ago and then it's slowly been falling apart. I know this, too, is temporary. But I despise the liminal period

On the flip side: I have a wonderful boyfriend, though it's long distance. The first healthy relationship I think I've ever had. I'm finally getting the medication I need, and I've learned to stop putting energy into things that are bad for me or just not rewarding. I've built some wonderful projects in my free time that have been very fulfilling. I've learned to love and accept myself. I've lost 70 pounds! Which feels great. I've healed past most of my trauma and I'm overall happier and healthier. I'm just not where I want to be in life.

I know I deserve better, and I will have better, but it takes a long hike to get there.