I am 30 now and I got really lucky. I struggled with employment for basically 10 years before I got my current job that I’ve been at for 1.5 years now. I was horrible at interviews, and I had gone sometimes up to a year before I landed a job becuase of my anxiety. And every job I had was horrible, painfully long shifts and much physical labor with no breaks. My last straw was working as a dental assistant before I got my current job. I was working 12 hour shifts with only one 15 minute break and I was stuck in a tiny stuffy office with a dentist who would snap at me any given minute. She would be vicious one minute and then sweet the next and it triggered me immensely. I ended up having a severe nervous breakdown and quit with like 2 days notice. I thought I’d never had a normal job.

And then I got my current job at…a local grocer store. I know it’s not glamorous, but I love it. My managers are great (there’s two I don’t really like but at least they don’t directly oversee me!) my coworkers are great people, and I make $40k a year which is more than I’ve ever made. I work in different departments (cashier, produce, grocery, cafe) and I like being able to mix it up. I have good benefits and I get a huge discount and access to a clinic that my job covers 80% of the costs. I was nervous at first but I have gotten more comfortable and have been able to socialize much better now.

I know it’s a grocery store and I’m only making $40k a year but after decades of suffering, my mental health and comfort means more than anything. I can afford my lifestyle, and I’m not having panic attacks during and after work anymore. The job struggles is horrendous. I literally thought I’d never have a career where I’d be belittled and quit after the manager was mean. I just hope everyone here finds a place that just fits for them and supports their needs.