mangodrives's journey

I was laid off from my corporate job in April and received a generous severance package that will last me for nine months. Since then, I've been collecting unemployment, which will continue until November. Despite sending out over 200 job applications and going through more than 15 interviews, I haven't had any luck landing a new position. This has really taken a toll on my mental health, and I'm feeling lost without a structured routine. After four months of being unemployed, I find myself struggling to detach my identity from the corporate world, even though I often disliked my previous job. I’ve always been frugal, so I have an emergency fund that can sustain me for about five years, which is a relief. However, I still feel this desperate need to find a corporate job just to feel a sense of belonging. To regain some structure in my life and to feel useful again, I've accepted a part-time dishwashing job that pays $11 an hour, starting next week. It's not about the money for me; I just need to do something to fill my days and hopefully ease my anxiety. I can’t help but wonder if I would feel lost in retirement, like my father, who has been in the corporate world for over 30 years. I’m not sure if anyone else feels this way, but I appreciate you reading my story.