I was recently laid off from my position as a graphic designer after just six months, and it happened to be on my birthday. I started this full-time role in March 2026, feeling incredibly grateful after struggling to find stable work since graduating college in 2020. My first job post-college was also as a graphic designer, but I was laid off in May 2021 due to financial issues at the company. Since then, I’ve been working as a contract designer, taking on freelance jobs, and even working in retail to make ends meet. In March 2025, I landed a marketing coordinator job, but I was fired just a week before Thanksgiving, which was particularly hard as I had just lost my grandpa that summer. I feel like my peers are settling into their careers while I’m stuck in a cycle of job instability. I live in a government-supported apartment, which helps with rent, but it’s still a struggle to get by. I have a service dog that assists me with daily tasks, but I just want a steady job in my field and a quiet life. I’ve never been in a relationship or married, and I don’t plan on having kids. I’m tired of constantly applying for jobs and just want to reach a point where I can relax and not worry about work. At 29, I already feel exhausted by life and long for the day I can retire.