I think I might have some advice

[Velvet]

Okayyy... I turned 26 last week and am going through quite the QL crisis. I hate it even though it has taught me some things about myself. One thing I realized was that I had spent my whole life judging myself according to my accomplishments. I used my successes to deflect pain. I told myself, it doesn't matter if a friend dies or my parents divorce; the main thing is I'm smart and I get good grades and all that is going to make me a lot of money someday. What a lie I built for myself. I am now being forced to love myself for who I am, which is not what I drive or my salary. I'm bigger than that. But I digress...
One thing that I think might help a lot of people our age is to think more like entrepreneurs. If no one will hire you, hire yourself. There are so many good books out there about starting your own business. It's probably not for everyone, but sometimes when you've scoured the help wanted ads and lied your ass off only to get turned down for jobs you never wanted, it's the only place to go. I have also been reading a lot about financial management, with the intention that even though I don't have as much money as I'd like to, I have the power to manage what I do have. I have even started saving for retirement. Hope this helps someone; I have been hurting for a long time but I've got to pull out of this. It's not going to drag me down permanently.

[hungoveragain]

Yes know what you mean. Am just reaching that 'maybe I'll start my own business stage'! Just keeping positive, you've had it when you start getting mopey!

[AdamantlyFree]

Velvet,

I totally agree with you about starting your own business. My fiance and I have both done that this year. He started a handyman business and I started a babysitting service. We made up fliers with cards on them and put them around the neighborhood. Luckily we live near people with money who would use and pay a handyman and a babysitter. We've both been quite sucessful and are very happy with our choices. One thing, though, image is a big part of it. You have to look and seem mature, competent, responsible, personable... trustworthy. You have to have confidence that you're providing a valuable service or product. I was fired at the end of January from an ok job with a company I hated and last year my fiance was seriously injured on the job so we both found ourselves having to find new work. Creating our own jobs has been great for us. It's not for everybody. There are pros and cons to being your own boss. No one else is there telling you what to do, but you set your own hours and salary, within reason. There are no established benefits like a 401K, paid vacation days, or insurance. You get to be selective in who you work for. You have to be disciplined in getting back to your customers, setting up a workable schedule, and you have to have realistic expectations. For anyone who's good at getting themselves going and is motivated by going out there and grabbing work for yourself, I would recommend the starting your own business thing. If you like the security and safety of a guaranteed paycheck and an authority figure who is ultimately responsible for what goes on in your job, then it might not work. It is a risk, but it can be worth it.