Dsg1695's journey

I was let go from my job last week, and I'm feeling pretty defeated. I'm a 31-year-old woman with a bachelor's degree, and I've been working in higher education since I graduated at 24. Over the years, I've held three jobs, with my most recent one being the longest at just over two years. I genuinely enjoyed this last position; the company culture, benefits, and my interactions with students made me happy, despite the stress. However, I had a tough semester last year that led me to take three months of FMLA leave in the spring. When I returned last month, I was fired due to performance issues. My former boss had concerns about my pace, which contributed to my declining metrics. I only worked at full capacity for the last two weeks before my termination, as the first two weeks were an adjustment period. Currently, I'm living back with my mom, which I've been doing for almost four years to save for a house after selling my condo. I have around $20k saved up from that sale, and my car is paid off. My credit score is decent, ranging from the mid to high 700s. While I could potentially move out or buy a small condo, I don’t want to settle; I’m aiming for a home that meets all my criteria. Now, as I navigate unemployment, I've applied for unemployment benefits and SNAP. I can't help but compare myself to others my age who seem to have their lives more together—settled down with partners, stable jobs, and homes. I don’t want kids and I'm unsure about my attraction to men, which adds to my feelings of defeat. Given the current job market, I worry I might be unemployed for a while or end up in a role that doesn't align with my aspirations like my last job did.

I am a 31-year-old professional who has been with my current employer for just under two years. This role was a long-awaited opportunity for me, as I had applied multiple times before finally being hired. The company offered me a higher salary and better benefits compared to other positions I had considered. Initially, I received positive feedback, being told I was a quick learner and impressive. My supervisor and her manager even suggested that I might consider a supervisory role in the future. However, the workload has been overwhelming, and I’m not the only one feeling this way; my coworkers have expressed similar concerns in surveys. I recently went through a tough semester that heightened my anxiety, leading me to seek psychiatric help and take three months off on unpaid FMLA. After returning, I received a negative performance evaluation, which affected my confidence. It felt like management was more focused on correcting my work than before. Just a month after my return, my supervisor scheduled an unexpected check-in and indicated that my current pace could lead me back to the overwhelming feelings I had before. She acknowledged that the organization is undergoing significant changes, which has made it harder for everyone to adapt. I explained that I prioritize accuracy, which sometimes slows me down, and she reassured me of my capabilities, suggesting that I might just be overthinking things. She even offered to set up a meeting with HR to discuss possible accommodations if I needed them. I asked to leave early on Friday to gather my thoughts, and I’ve been feeling anxious about my situation all weekend. I genuinely enjoy my job, the students, and the workplace culture, but I’m starting to question if this role is the right fit for me given the recent challenges.