I’m currently unemployed and navigating the job market while dealing with chronic mental health issues and some unfortunate luck. I’m 23 years old and live in Southern California, one of the largest cities in the state. Despite having over four years of experience in customer service, retail, and grocery, I haven’t been able to find a job for almost two years now. In 2022, I started working at Walmart after spending five years at Subway, but I lost that job in 2024 due to excessive absences linked to a deep depression. My mental health took a hit after a series of personal tragedies, including the loss of my grandparent and a close friend, as well as a breakup with my partner of three years. This led to a lack of motivation that kept me from even leaving the house. Since then, I’ve focused on my mental health with support from family, starting SSRIs, and attending therapy. I’ve also been selling handmade crafts and taking art commissions to keep myself busy. Now that I feel more stable and ready to re-enter the workforce, I’m struggling to even get interviews. I’ve spent hours tweaking my resume based on advice from others, but I keep receiving rejection emails. Transportation is another hurdle for me due to vision problems and a panic disorder from past accidents, so I’ve been applying to jobs within a 30-mile radius, including restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and warehouses, but I haven’t heard back from anyone. I have family and friends who help with rides, but I want to be financially independent and contribute back to them. I’m considering taking classes for a work-from-home job, but I’m unsure where to start since I’ve always been focused on working rather than studying. I’m frustrated with the job market and my ongoing mental health journey, but I’m open to exploring various options. I’m looking for job suggestions that might suit my experience and interests. I’m a creative person who enjoys crafting, digital drawing, and organizing. I’m not picky about the type of job, but I prefer roles that involve helping others or repetitive tasks that I can do without overthinking. I’d appreciate any advice on where to start looking for jobs or how to improve my chances of being hired. Any encouragement would also mean a lot. Thank you for reading.