Mindofthequill's journey

I've been on the job search for a couple of months now after finally getting my SSDI sorted out and addressing some personal issues. My last job was at a grocery store bakery where I worked for five years, but I had to leave because the new management didn't accommodate my needs. They started scheduling me alone more often, which triggered my schizophrenia and led to mental episodes. Now, I'm looking for a simple part-time job, ideally around 20 hours a week, like being a personal shopper. I want a role where I can use an earbud to listen to music or podcasts, as it helps quiet the voices I hear. I've applied to about 30 jobs, but I only get automated responses, which really messes with my head. The voices constantly tell me I'm not good enough and that I should give up, pushing me into a depressive spiral despite my medication. I started strong, applying daily, but now I'm down to just 2 or 3 applications a week because even thinking about it is overwhelming. To cope, I've been focusing on distractions like working out, playing video games, and watching videos. I'm really struggling to stay motivated in this job market and would love to hear how others keep their spirits up during this tough time.