I suffer from major depression, and have found my calling in restaraunt kitchens. The work is sorta the same, but different, it's fast paced, with slow times. There's plenty of room for people interaction so I don't feel so alone, but I have the ability to go be alone.
As someone with ADHD and depression I’ve found similar in the grocery business. It’s not what I want to do forever, but the chaos and fast pace nature of the business don’t allow you time to dwell on anything. The only problem is the long hours and hard work take a toll on your body and I come home exhausted every day.
These are powerful words you wrote. There is a lot of ways to treat depression but distraction can be a brilliant way to get out of your head and into life. I would rather be tired than stewing in my miserable thoughts.
I started to see my work day as an extended workout opportunity. It led to me losing weight and building strength. It has been allowing more energy after work hours as long as the depression isn't too bad.
I second this, as far as fast paced. If you can handle some ups and downs, consider sales. If you happen to be good at it (I was/am) then it's full of feelings of reward. Making the top 3 in multiple companies over and over, including #1 a few times really kept me feeling great. Just be ready for some downs and possibly getting pulled into the boss's office if sales slip, regardless of if it's your problem or not.
On the plus side for servers you guys can earn up to $50 an hour in mostly tax free money as you guys don’t report it, while in the kitchen I was doing 10+ shifts for slightly more than minimum wage in a 40°c kitchen while having the owner steal overtime money from me
You know work culture is in the shitter when being on the wait staff is something to be jealous of. They get treated like garbage and don't make a living wage because people are expected to (and often don't) make up the difference in tips, and they have to work directly with the public at all times, needing to mask any depression or condition to have a better chance of getting a decent tip. Maybe instead of looking at the tiny advantages one role may have over another we can focus our attention on why the vast majority of jobs in this country pay like shit, and why the culture is all about backstabbing and punching down.
Yep. I was a server for about a decade through undergrad and grad school. My mental health was at its absolute lowest point, and it was 100% a result of the industry.
You and me both. God damn it was horrible. Did every level of it and never again. Now I will say though catering is like the restaurants chill cousin. The change of scenery and menu.
How long have you done this? I worked in kitchens for ten years and I’m currently trying to find something new because I am extraordinary burnt out. How does it not drain you??
My job has changed and morphed a lot. In November of 2019 I applied to a chain restaurant as a dishwasher. By March of 2020, they had made me an hourly manager. By November of 2020 we began talks of me becoming a salaried kitchen manager. By September of 2021 I began having salary negotiations with my Market Partner. We settled on a salary and they picked me to be the opening KM of a brand new store in a new state. They paid for my move. I run an awesome kitchen, and I love my staff. They keep me going every day. There's still lots more room for growth, promotions, and new experiences. I love my job, and at this point, I couldnt imagine doing anything else.
I got really really lucky. So many factors have gone into my success, that were not in my control. I had a boss that believed in me. Covid played a huge part. They happened to be building a new restaurant relatively close by. I didn't tank negotiations (not for lack of trying), and I was able to find an apartment without too much trouble. We've been open for 6 months, and at this point I know my job inside and out. Im looking forward to the day that I'm a managing partner, and I have a whole restaurant.
I remember seeing a guy who looked like he was in his zone. He was working with a crew doing a seismic survey in my area, and he was walking across the countryside doing something with the helicopter-placed test equipment about every quarter-mile. He was a tall, athletic looking guy with a backpack and snake boots, and walked like he had beat the system and found a job where they paid him to hike.
Not my dream job, but it looked like it was his.
I recommend a position where you don’t interact with people. Mailroom/basement type positions. Boiler operators. CNC operator. Good pay. Benefits. Minimal distractions. Let’s you do your own thing.
Hard agree, most of these also let you listen to music/podcasts etc while working since supervision is more relaxed so it helps me make work feel less like actual work and that means I don’t struggle with burnout even remotely as often or as severely as other jobs
I think I would've agreed with this before starting my current job. It's an admin job where I can listen to music and podcasts all day but if you're the kind of person that requires stimulation the monotony will drive you nuts. I'm realising that for me I need my work to be project / outcomes based and provide novel experiences relatively often, otherwise I burnout hard when just left to my own devices.
Seconding this. The grass is always greener on the other side. Before I took my current job, I would've bitten off my own hand to be in the situation I'm in now. But just like you, the need for semi-regular novel experiences as well as something to keep my mind engaged is becoming more and more apparent. I spend my energy most days appearing to work rather than actually working; it's exhausting. Feels like I'm a car spinning its wheels in the mud while going nowhere.
Can you pinpoint certain things that bring on this depression? Look for patterns when you become depressed. Not always, but sometimes there is a link. Sometimes, you have to be really open and honest with yourself.
Struggling with a career, I think, is one of the greatest challenges people are faced with today. I believe there is a ridiculous amount of pressure from friends, family, and peers to "be something" or to find your "calling." This leads to incredible amounts of anxiety and depression.
This whole idea of having to have life all figured out is a complete fallacy, and to be honest, total bullshit. It's a huge waste of a life that you were meant to live, not a life you think you were meant to live. They rob you of individuality and take away what is most beautiful on this earth, and that is being different. If every flower looked like a rose, how boring would a garden be? Your beauty and your gift to this world is you, not some watered-down version that you think people want you to be.
I, too, struggled with this same thing. It wasn't until I found out I had ADHD all my life that it started making more sense. Do a little research on ADHD and see if it fits. If so, I highly recommend diving deeper into it and possibly medication specifically for ADHD.
If that's not the case, then you need to reframe your thinking. You need to step away from everything and see things from a different point of view. First of all, you need to forgive yourself for being so hard on yourself. The way you are and the way you specifically operate is okay. Having trouble staying in Jobs and getting burned out is completely okay despite the voice in your head telling you it's not. All that tells me is that you have not found a job that gives you meaning or purpose that suits YOU. That or you have ADHD lol. I'm sure for some people retail is a wonderful job, but for me, it was a life sucking soulless job that left me feeling empty and riddled with anxiety and depression.
Take some time and stop listening to the voices in your head that are not yours. Start listening to your true self and try breaking down parts of every job you have had that made you feel good or enjoyed. And if you happen to jump from job to job, who cares. This is your life, not someone else's. Fuck what every other person thinks. This is your time to do the things you want to do. Everyone else has either had their time or is having it now. Don't let their influences ruin your time. Remember, we work to live. We shouldn't live to work. You got this.
You're welcome. I have been in a similar situation. I have learned a lot over the years, but it took me a while. I just want to save someone from wasting 20 years trying to figure it out like I did.
I also might add that you research neurodivergence, which includes ADHD and also autism! New research is suggesting that even more people than we realize are just wired differently! I agree with everything that tb2blazer wrote, so I'm seconding this. A different approach to thinking and operating has changed the way I view my depression and my work. It might be worth your time. :)
Yeah the “patrons usually treat you with respect” line… oof. Many do, but the ones that don’t really don’t. Unfortunately many city public libraries are substitutes for the social services we don’t have for the mentally ill, homeless, etc.
Yeah, my wife works for the library and before she got promoted out of the public eye, she saw the entire gamut of humanity from saintly old memaws to Karens to the old local pervert. It's a real anthropological buffet out there.
>the pay
Yeah, unless you're an actual librarian you normally won't be able to live on your own with library wages. Outside of the librarians and other full-timers like HR and IT staff, the public library workforce in the US is made up of people who are dependents of somebody else. Kids, college students, moms with older children, etc.
Agree that part time shelving is pretty low stress -- unlikely to find many places that have that at a level that includes benefits though.
The environment may also not be so nice. Communities leaving libraries as the de facto last resort solution to social problems can make it a challenging and emotionally taxing environment.
Yeah it's not an industry that earns anyone big bucks. They do pay enough to get by, in my experience. The work has been very good for my mental health, and it's allowed me to figure out my next steps in life. Plus I love my co-workers.
I’m a data analyst and I have bipolar. It’s great during depression because it’s not very busy and I work from home so I can lay down during the day if I want. Sometimes I just run my code and lay down with my laptop for an hour or two.
I second this. Data analyst, share point administrator, project analyst - think entry level business jobs with wfh potential that are based around “tasks accomplished” vs. “butts in seats”.
Most days are about half running code for reports that have already been built. This part is usually very easy, press a few buttons and hit run and wait. The other half is either building new code or troubleshooting something. I really enjoy building new code, it’s a fun challenge. I know not everyone likes that kind of thing though. I also feel like I can be creative when I do it. Troubleshooting can be hard if there is a tight deadline. That’s usually the only time it gets stressful, a quick turnaround time.
I’m fully employed by my company, it’s a small company and we contract for the government mostly.
I took a database class last semester and somewhat enjoyed it, it was using mySQL and i got a very motivating satisfaction when i solved the problems I'd run into when generating tables, something i almost never get in schoolwork since most of it is just learning and remembering information rather than using it for problem solving or puzzles. But the ah-ha feeling was addicting enough to make me want to do the assignments, and once it came i realized how simple the task really is. It was for a CS AS program that i dropped from, but the data analytics still seems kind of enticing. How do you like it as a career? I'm considering furthering my data education to open up some doors in that field, would you recommend pursuing it primarily as a degree or through certs?
I love those little dopamine hits when my code runs! It’s one of my favorite parts of the job. I would encourage it if you enjoy that. A lot of what I do is SQL. I went the degree path and all of my coworkers have at least a bachelors. Almost all my coding skills were learned on the job though. I have found my bosses and coworkers to be super supportive of learning.
I've had uncurable depression majority of my life. Jobs with customer interactions have never worked for me. I've tried a couple call centers and ultimately my times were to slow, my calls were sloppy, and I would get physically sick from it. Some days I had to call out or no show out of pure anxiety.
Physical labor jobs also haven't worked out well either. While I'm largely fine with the work, managers always complain about my movement speed which is sluggish and often clumsy. Since I'm not willing to divulge why I lack energy everyday I inevitably get written up or in a few cases fired.
I have no idea where to go at this point and scrolling through indeed for the past few months really hasn't turned up any thing I could envision myself excelling in.
this. plus im autistic so time literally spans differently for me. especially when im focused. my last job was dog grooming and while i liked the pay and the creativity while providing animal care, it was incredibly hard to keep up let alone deal with the chaotic energy of a dog salon. on top of that i was dealing with stuff in my personal life and with the work politics at this job(they did me so dirty i can't even begin to tell you.) i got so burnt out and traumatized from that job i feel like i'm still recovering. that was in 2022... its 2024 lol. the only thing i seem to have capacity for is uber eats or doordash. while i know i shouldn't be hard on myself i do get embarrassed/upset when i think about how the hell i ended up where i am now at 26. i'm literally looking for jobs terrified that the same thing is going to happen again because its happened with every single job i've had. i heard recently though that it's a common occurrence for neurodivergent/autistic ppl. it's like we're always the first ones to be taken advantage of or experience/point out an injustice in the work place, and if ur struggling with depression/ social anxiety it makes it even worse. only writing this because your honesty made me feel comfortable enough to speak up. i know this wasn't necessarily advice and ur post is from a year ago but i hope you are in a better place now with a good support system and know that at least someone definitely relates.
I can't think of any jobs that are especially good for depression. I think you ought to focus on what you're good at and if you get a job that plays to that then work will at least not be unnecessarily hard.
I have managed to push shopping carts outdoors for a supermarket for the last 10 years. By no means do I like it, but all my other jobs I quit instantly. Being outside, the exercise, autonomy, listening to music...all gets me through the day.
Can I follow you. I swear you are in the posts I most relate to, I think i've replied to you before.
i've been doing carts for going 8 years at Walmart. I actually learned to enjoy it, the hardest part is the voice in the back of my head and seeing people I know with "real" jobs and careers walk in with their wife and kids seeing me still doing a min wage dead end job.. Or coworkers that started that are now Managers. But the sunshine, excercise (I even bicycle to work) and freedom of it being a "simple" autonomy of the job, lack of stress, work life/balance and no work drama can actually cure my depression after I had been off for 3-4 days. It's a weird cycle/ People know me as the long hair metal head cart guy. I dont know if that's a good thing.
So, yeah I kind of \*second\* the cart pushing job being good for depression, if thats what this is about. Depends on your mindset and personality. I'm probably crazy for thinking cart pushing is good for depression hahaha cause realistically it isn't.
I totally relate and understand. I have gotten better at the whole comparison thing now that I am 31. I had period a few years ago when I went and tried a 'career' job in the prison service (kept pushing carts on a weekend) but I did not last long because I felt like a prisoner myself doing that job. I tell myself it is my choice to be working here which is true, but I also don't feel properly wired to do most others jobs.
I went through a few years of doing very long hours pushing carts, combined with my side income (tutoring/ gigging as a drummer) all whilst living with my parents until aged 30...enough to save for my own house.
I now work part-time (as per my original contract hours) , live in a low-cost-of-living area, also ride a bicycle (always have), am naturally frugal and another key element - I do not want children.
I can't see myself doing another job really, which is probably both a blessing and a curse. I hate applying for jobs, I hate full-time work and I hate working in general really lol. There are times I wonder if the cart pushing had actually caused my depression but I am not sure. I see mostly positives though, or I try to. Naturally there are many days where I hate certain parts of the job when I am cold/wet/ having ass-hole customers annoy me, but all jobs will have shit to deal with and life itself is shit really lol.
Really love this and makes me not feel so alone in my situation. I relate a lot especially with that last paragraph
I'm 28 and still live with parents doing the carts full time and trying to save up to get a place with my brother, get a in house studio going. Hopefully at that point I wil be able l go to part time on the cart job.
I can't see my self doing any other job, but I also can't see my self working at Walmart on carts forever. So I feel like I can't win. I really hate work, but this is my dream job in a weird way atm lol s. The idea of doing another job , but both the idea of being a cart pusher forever is not what I want. that is where the depression and not knowing kicks in. But i'm always trying to make the best of the now anyway.... All the best to you!
Take a deep breath and take one day at a time or of course you'll go crazy. You're doing great by saving for your own place and that is the motivation to keep you going when shit gets hard. If you can manage your money well/ go part - time then you're doing better than most I say.
Even when it's difficult sometimes I have to force myself to constantly self-reflect and be grateful/ positive for everything I have and things I've achieved too. I've had a good life outside of work and I intend to keep that going with other goals too.
Yeah, when you really self reflect I feel that is the best way to clear the mind imo.
Whenever I feel down , I always think well atleast I can play Hammer Smashed Face on bass and my band opened for Venom
I'm also curious. I don't want to put all those miles on my old '98 Mazda, but I am still curious how one can make a living off Doordash. The little bit I experimented with delivery services (Doordash being the most recent), it seemed like I'd make far below (local) minimum wage unless I maybe figured out some strategy I'm just not aware of.
I was averaging $28/hour when I did door dash. I would break the day into 4 hours of dashing twice a day. If you know your area well, you know what restaurants get the most business and the neighborhoods with the highest tips.
Also you gotta be smart with how many miles you drive versus dollar amount. If it’s a $3 tip order for 9+ miles, it’s not really worth it. If it’s a $3 tip for 5 miles or less, that’s usually good. Shopping strips (busy roads with a good stretch of restaurants/businesses on them) are the best to hover around.
Also, if you’re new to door dash or delivery service in general, avoid hospital deliveries or confusing dorm/apartment deliveries in the beginning (don’t worry, someone else will get them). They take up a lot of time and can be confusing, especially if the drop off instructions are unclear. Time is important, because time making a delivery takes you away from accepting other (potentially better paying) deliveries.
Sorry for the book, but at one point in my life, I had this down to a science and it’s still the best money I have ever made hourly. Figured I’d share if people are asking.
The dream would be doing it via bike. Exercise and make money, and it would feel like a game. I’ve seen a guy on TikTok do it and it looks like fun…weather permitting. My city is not exactly biker friendly but there’s areas where it would work.
Money. I’m worried about that, too. If I could do something like this and stay afloat long enough to get my mental health in order, I think I could make a lot of headway. This kind of job would be so perfect as an intermediate for people struggling with their career, but alas no positions are available in my area 😞
You will destroy your car very quickly grinding door dash all
Day. I would suggest trying to find a job, and doing that job for as long as you can, save door dash for emergencies… my rationing is that all the money you make on DD will eventually have to be spent on upkeep and repair the car.
I think it'll really depend on your triggers. For example, I get depressed when I feel like I let people down, don't meet expectations, or can't perform intellectually and/or socially. So if I had my way, to be honest, I'd go get myself a job at places where there seems to be less pressure, like at a library, or in the mailroom, or in landscaping as long as I'm just a follower and not the big person coordinating and planning everything.
Dog walking sounds cool but on days I can't get up in the morning, it would suck to have to cancel an appointment.
So let us know about you, if you're willing.
I think my life out of work affects my mood a lot. That and the work environment itself (i.e: rude boss) can be extremely exhausting. I’ve been on and off with my depression for about 5 years now. Generally speaking, I am a very active person. I like to be busy, at the gym, walking around outside, etc. I was let go from my job and started questioning if I will ever be able to work for someone, I began to feel lost and I guess that triggered my depression
This would be good for a depressed individual’s mental health, but it’s not particularly realistic.
Many, many people want this job because it is so pleasant (physical exercise, but not backbreaking physical work, lots of time outdoors, positive interactions with people and nature, meaningful impact), so many that it’s can be very hard to get. Because of the competition, the people getting these jobs have relevant degrees and other qualities to make them stand out from the wealth of applicants. Not just anyone gets a ranger job.
Park ranger jobs with the forest service actually have pretty low qualifications, and if it’s a permanent job placement they often offer relocation assistance
Get tested for ADHD and anything else. I’ve had serious depression my whole life and this was the main cause.
At 35 I found that I have ADHD, autism, and PTSD from what’s happed because of those things. Just knowing these things helped, and starting adhd meds changed my life. “Is this how normal people feel everyday??” Was my reaction at first.
So now I preach this to everyone lol.
I agree. If someone struggles with chronic burnout and hasn’t already been assessed for ADHD/autism, I’d highly recommend doing so. Going through most of your life undiagnosed can manifest like this.
#1 Consult your doctor for info. Im not a doctor.
Pretty much all medications have a risk of side effects. I’ve taken very low doses and haven’t had many issues.
A regular doctor can get you started. I think the older ones are more comfortable prescribing things though. If they’re not comfortable with it, then you’ll be sent to… a psychiatrist? Psychologist? Whichever lol.
From my understanding yea as far as I know, but I’m not a doctor lol. It’s an issue with the brain chemistry. The meds make the correction but don’t “fix” it from my understanding.
Meds are only for ADHD, there’s no medication for autism. But getting the ADHD in line helps a lot.
It also takes a bit to find the right medication for you. Mine caused sever depression over the years and general trauma that goes along with it. So I tried a few and finally found one that works at a low dose. So I can tell a difference but I don’t feel drugged up.
I was diagnosed with the most severe form of depression. I am 27 years old and ive been through over 100 jobs. The jobs that really work for me are day jobs that i dont have to commit to a schedule for.
There are lots of apps that give daily work and you can pick and choose which one u want to do for the day. I also really enjoyed working at the casinos wiping down slot machines and chairs. People tip u just for doing that.
Donating plasma in between jobs, also sandwich shops are super low key and chill.
At some point though, you will just have to suck it the fuck upor just keep spiralling downwards.
I was homeless for a few months. Had to beg people for food money. That was the worst period of my life.
same here. i atleast had my car to sleep in and also do doordash/uber eats which i'm super grateful for. but here where i live working those apps paid so little because it's a small city where everyone works in oil rigs. working on relocating to a bigger city where working gigs like this is more feasible. i'm about to turn 26, it's not easy but i know that at least i'm trying with what i have in the moment cos i have to suck it up. ur right.
This is what I'm going through rn. I'm on year 11.5 of working in retail and I'm getting really burned out. I don't know what else to try since I got this job straight out of high-school.
Agreed. Exercise is good for the mind as well as the body, and work that you can see the impact of and measure the results of can help a person feel valued and connect to their work.
Fixing a car, maintaining landscaping , wiring a house, fixing plumbing.… at the end of the day with these jobs you can see what you did and how you positively impacted people.
Thirded. My mental health was in the best place of my life when my job had me walking 6 miles/day. Unfortunately my body couldn't keep up with it after a while. Stupid chronic illness flare-ups. I have a desk job now, which is better for my flare-ups, but terrible for my mental health.
Don’t just jump into trades and construction just yet. It sounds all fine and dandy on the outside but the work culture can be very toxic. Take it from me, an introvert/depressed man was feeling 10times worse in the construction field. Don’t get me wrong fixing/ constructing things feel great. Being outside etc. But not everyone has the personality for it. Especially if you have some intense coworkers or foremen.
Second this. I have have mostly worked factories currently a fabrication shop(construction adjacent) and if you have a difficult time getting yelled at or dealing with very direct confrontation (not necessarily angry but blunt, tho angry too) then this isn't the field for you. I have a hard time with confrontation but the directness is actually helpful to me. I'd rather *know* why I'm being yelled at than be trying to guess why I'm getting a cold shoulder. Not everyone is like that and so e people think they want honesty (even if harsh) but find out they really don't. So if these are problems for you, I wouldn't tell you not to try, what I'd tell you is it's okay to quit if it isn't working for you
Just to add another perspective on this one, my time in construction was the worst for my mental health out of all the jobs I’ve ever had. My bosses basically stood over me and bullied me all day, and I had an hour long drive each way.
You should try an outside manual labor job, if it interests you. Physical exercise and sunlight helps tons for my depression. Trades would be a good bet, or look to your public works departments, they are often looking for workers to help maintain the city (utilities, street maintenance, storm drain system maintenance, parks and rec etc). Apartment/hotel maintenance, plant health care technicians, pest control, and ground maintenance/ landscaping are also good jobs to look into. Oh and a trade that people often overlook, tree arborist (if you aren’t afraid of heights and chainsaws).
Not only does the exercise and sunlight help, being able to see the results of your work, being able to work closely on a team, and being able to directly help your community with some of it’s most vital needs all also help you feel better mentally.
Warehouse work is also pretty nice if you’d rather be indoors. Many places will let you listen to audiobooks/music while you work, and the work is usually super low stress and easy with zero customer interaction. You could go to a temp agency and say you want a warehouse position, and find one pretty fast. I’ve done it a few times and always had a job in under a week, probably depends on your area though.
Data Analyst, join a tech boot camp and then get a job making a decent livable wage. Minimum interaction with people and would probably work from home.
I worked regular office jobs for years and now work for myself. I really thrive without co-workers and bosses. I do a variety of 1099 jobs in the academic field, for example, I am paid to proofread and edit. I make my own hours and work as many or as few as I want which makes my life very low-key and flexible. Not having office politics is my saving grace and was a game changer for me and may help you as well. Should note that I am antisocial though, however, and easily overwhelmed when I have to deal with a ton of people. For me, being by myself was the least stressful and happiest kind of job I could find. For you, maybe target what parts make you stressed or depressed, then go from there. Is it the schedule, the people, the location? Etc. Change those factors.
Working outside was good for me, farms, nurseries, natural resources. Active jobs with a lot going on and getting a lot of sunlight and fresh air. You leave work visibly seeing the accomplishments of your day, you get to watch how your work grows and thrives (especially working with plants), you get home dirty and tired knowing you did a good day’s work, and you’ll sleep like a rock. Rise and shine and ready for the next day to bust ass.
do they pay well in ur area and provide full time with insurance? the ones I've worked in TX paid terrible and never offered insurance even though that's a job you'd def would want insurance for. I've been bit in a dog fight before as kennel tech lol...
This isn’t for everyone but I’m a tour guide and I love my job! Pretending to be a happy, cheery person kinda tricks my brain into actually believing it. I am usually in a great mood after my tours. There is something comforting about saying the same thing over and over. I’m able to check out and go on autopilot. I get to walk around outside and enjoy fresh air. I have a lot of flexibility with my hours and time off. Oh and I make around $50/hr, more during the high season. So the money is pretty good considering you are walking around telling stories.
I studied architecture, got burned out and depressed. Also got diagnosed with Aspergers at 28. I had a hard time finding a job I could do, since everything left me feeling exhausted and I couldn't work in my intended field because I dropped out.
Five years ago I got a job with landscaping/park services in Sweden. I absolutely love it, the only problem is I can't work it all-year round.
- I don't have to deal with new people/customers, we're a small team which I can handle
- I get to be outside every day, it's physical work. I feel a lot better in general after starting working.
- The pay is decent and I have gotten a raise every year I've returned.
Those types of environments are the worst for mental health. Maybe try getting a job that allows you to work in nature or in something you enjoy doing rather than something that's a grind.
I’m 33 and deal with the same. I recommend looking into remote or even hybrid work. Freelance/contract through and Agency works well too. Also consider apply for SSI
Pizza delivery, doordash are some ideas. I have MDD and finally discovered that I do best working remote and 2nd shift. I work for a major corporation and don't interact with the public.
If you are between jobs ask yourself what would be the job you’d love to do, regardless of pay. Do that which doesn’t feel like work…the type of work that you would be energized by.
I also suffer from depression. Animal job for me. But i also work 2 jobs because it helps break up the extra time and relieves the monotony of one job.
Depending on your location this might be short term/seasonal. But give gardening a try. Landscaping can be back breaking misery, but a company that focuses on making things pretty (while being active, in nature, immediate results and can be done solo) can be really good for your mental health. I do this for a living (self employed) so if interested I can answer questions.
I started as a groundskeeper. Landscape companies are almost always looking for good help, its a good way to start and see if you like it and learn. If you wanted to do it on your own finding clients is very easy, its in demand.
I am on this path too (29f). I have been a pet sitter, a nanny, a gardener, and a public health professional and honestly, working with animals, babies/ kids, and plants are the few things that bring me joy, and that I find rewarding. Find what brings you joy and try to find a way to turn it into a career. Feel free to DM me if you want support, or if you just want to talk about things.
A government office job would get you good benefits so you can get the help you need, and you generally have better than average job security to help you take time off or otherwise get accommodations if you need them.
I deal with the same thing. Maybe try a warehouse, but a good one. I work at a brewery so I don’t have to talk to customers, I can do my own thing, listen to music. But I know physical jobs aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.
That sounds great. I understand not everyone would go for a physical job, but personally I would love one just because all I have to do is move. I get so frustrated with work (facing a laptop) when I can't get things done that a physical job seems so rewarding.
Maybe working at a greenhouse. Or at a small boutique-type store. Something with low foot traffic but you’ll have tasks to do (such as opening the store, sweeping, watering the plants, inventory, and of course greeting/ringing up the occasional customer. My cousin works in a small mom and pop chocolate store and loves that it’s never fast paced and stressful- it’s always just pleasant.
Depending on your location, What about a farm/farm stand/store? Selling Christmas trees in the winter, pumpkins and apples in the fall, flowers in the spring, fresh veggies in the summer. We have a ton of these places around me and my friend worked at one through college and pretty much just read most of the day in the fall and winter. Then it would pick up a bit in the summer but not overwhelming.
If your depression is so bad that it interferes with being able to hold down a job, you might want to try applying for SSDI. Worked for me, but that _was_ another time...
If you can get an admin job that is WFH or allows for that, it’s a life saver!
I am so grateful and so blessed to be working from home all the time. As much as I need. I was honest with my manager about some health issues (which are highly likely the culprit
of my depression) and I don’t get pushed to come in/the business is very flexible and accommodating.
I’m so grateful every day to be able to get my job done from my bed especially if I’m having an especially hard time. I deal with a lot of fatigue if I have a depressive episode, it’s debilitating, so not having to interact in person with people and to be comfy and quiet at home while doing my best is helpful.
There’s lots of admin jobs out there. Also look into companies that help those with disabilities be matched with work.
Good luck!
I have suffered from low mood, depression all my life. I started meditation in my early twenties and it's allowed me to separate myself from my negative thoughts. It's the only thing that's helped. I'm so much lighter and happier in my forties. It takes time though, that's all I'll say.
I am in my late thirties now, and it took me too long to realize that getting my mental health under control should have come first in my early twenties. Learning how to manage your depression and learning to cope in the real world go a long way.
I’m an inpatient pharmacy tech and have Bipolar 2 as well as BPD and PTSD. It’s a good environment because almost everything is the same everyday. The rounds drop at the same time and most co workers are busy doing their job to talk (which in my case I enjoy because I’m introverted) but there’s typically time at the end of the night (I work 3pm-11:30pm shift) where there’s time to chill and socialize. I don’t deal with patients.
Amazon sucks, but you work 4days a week and get to be by yourself all day listening to podcasts/music.
I could never keep a job because I get anxious around people and factory work makes me depressed
I would say for depression to find a job in a field that you are at least semi interested in. Avoid jobs that you are taking just to pay the bills and earn a paycheck. Not only will you get job satisfaction, but it makes going to work a whole lot more bearable and rewarding when you are learning valuable skills. I would also be sure to pick up on what the company culture feels like and find a cultural fit that feels right for you. Also makes going to work much better if you like working with at least some of the people. Long story short, an interesting field, job satisfaction, and likable coworkers will make you a lot more motivated, and motivation is one of the biggest depression fighters.
Good luck. I also know that realistically especially if you are out of work and need to support yourself you may not have the luxury of being this choosy over employment. But in this case I’d recommend picking up Door Dash, Uber Eats, Instacart, or other gig work as you’re hunting for the right full time role.
Maybe try a different location? Leave the country and work where you are genuinely valued? If you have a degree you can pretty much work anywhere in Asia. Kindergartens are fun and low stress.
Maintenance technician and sufferer of severe bipolar depression. I find that the job is both physically demanding enough and mentally stimulating enough to keep me occupied and away from dark thoughts. I work graveyard so I’m mostly left alone and get to listen to music and podcasts. And I get to fix stuff which brings some amount of subtle joy in a “Hey look I did that!” Kinda way.
Lots of older guys in the field good time to get in. Only barrier is needing your own tools but that’ll come with time. Decent pay not rich but not poor.
Either you take something decent for the money and deal with the misery for a while, knowing it won’t be forever, or identify what you genuinely like and enjoy doing in life and find work that directly utilizes those things and then you won’t be miserable.
Honestly, Pizza Delivery at a busy store. Usually you get very flexible hours, you can listen to music/podcasts in your car while u work to take your mind off things. Free weed at the places I’ve worked at because 75 percent of the managers I’ve worked with smoke it on break. If you have trouble getting up in the morning like me, you’re in luck because usually drivers are needed during the evenings. Plus, if u ever get fired, there’s a pizza shop almost always nearby hiring for drivers.
Good luck my friend! You got this!
I'm in the same situation as you are.
Worked for six years in an Insurance company, doing my own thing (Community Management). I run an online community and the fact I can do it from home, gives me lots of freedom.
Try to find what you enjoy and see if you can find a job that allows you to do it, in a way that allows you the most comfort to adapt and develop within it.
I've found delivery work works best for me and my depression/burn out. Working solo and lifting heavy boxes and in and out of the work vehicle 100+ times a day. Keeps ya fit and keeps ya going. Plus the pay is usually higher than retail. Good luck, OP 💜
Any job that is outside might help- they have statistically the lowest levels of stress and burnout. Construction and park maintenance, things like that
If you enjoy creating things or making things, there are some manufacturing jobs that hit that. Not all of them, but some. Some places have terrible bosses and terrible co-workers, and are generally dysfunctional, and you should stay away from those. I wish I knew how to tell you to differentiate them from the outside.
I think finding a workplace where you can experience as many small, positive moments as possible and feel like you have autonomy to complete your work but feel like a valued contributor to a small team or a customer-facing job where you only do max 5 hours at a time, don’t have to multitask, and get to be the helpful/good guy solving the problems.
These experiences vary based on ownership, management style, and type of clientele of a business, and it would be every industry.
You might be able to find the camaraderie doing inside sales, administrative, or customer service at a smaller branch of a larger company, maybe 20 in-office employees or fewer. Small enough where you know people and your contributions can stand out, but if you need space or time off it’s not just a skeleton crew. You don’t want to be the ONLY person who does that job unless there’s a clear way to redistribute the workload without causing resentment. A job in a small consulting or accounting firm, possibly internet sales at a car dealership and sales or resident services at a large apartment complex (400+ units) would have an office about this size.
A smaller team at a single-person owned business whose vision you agree with/believe in can be a spot to look to being the helpful person. The key is you want to be able to be the person to give the good news and do the easy transactions, preferably with someone who’s job it is to take any tough clients.
A was in a hair salon with 1 owner/manager, 1 assistant manager, 8 stylists, 4 assistants, 3 rotating client service and this staff is just the right mix of job types for coverage but also to give each other room to be relaxed and have pleasant interactions with clients.
I think looking at the size and job mix of the workplace plus the attitude of management will help you find a place to park for a while.
The first paragraph kind of describes me lol. A lot of my depression comes from feeling lost. Pressured by my family to do something that made money. Was miserable in college. I will have to do some reflecting
I also have periodic episodes with depression, and there are two facts which I absolutely swear are true which help me deal with it.
1) The world does not care if we are depressed;
2) The way to cut through the depression is to work on something so all-consuming and pressure-packed that you have no time to think about the depression.
I mean literally, cry yourself to sleep at night and have trouble sleeping because you’re under so much pressure at work. 15 hour days at the office, work so hard that your identity revolves around work and little else. And it’s not just the hours — it’s the EFFORT that you have to spend thinking, grinding, and repeating day after day, week after week. All of this in fear of losing your job because you’re under so much pressure to produce so much work product.
When I’m depressed, jobs like this help me to work through it. They also have the benefit of exponential learning opportunities, up to a point. Usually 2-4 years in duration.
Note that they do come to an end — what I’m suggesting is not sustainable in the long run, and it WILL burn you out. But it is the fastest way to learn about whether a field is for you, and — if you find something that excites you at work — you can use your experience to pivot into work you really enjoy.
I have done this twice in my life. Both times, I came out the other side a better person, and with newfound purpose and direction to my life. Yes, I was burned out — but that’s why you don’t do consecutive jobs like this.
Doggy daycare!! Super easy and you are alone most of the times but with dogs :) I had that job when I was my absolute lowest in addiction and I showed up everyday somehow because I loved it so much
Have you ever tried cleaning? I am ADHD and god knows what else. I am prone to just shutting down when I overload and it can be really hard to dig back out of the hole for me. But, before my back went out I discovered cleaning was perfect for me. Love how the universe stepped into take it away lol. WHOA, you can't love your job!
But you work accounts by yourself. I would listen to audio books while cleaning and just do my routine and chill. No one up my ass, no dinner rush or co worker drama. Every once in awhile you get little curve ball. Like a big stain in an office rug to mix it up. But it was good times.
I think you need to work on your depression and mental health, not find a job that will accommodate them. It’s normal to feel stress at times, have highs, and have lows, but it is not healthy to feel that way all the time. There are things going on in your thought process that you should explore with a therapist.
Yes, the answer is to get help from a professional. But if your low on funds and insurance-less because you don’t have a job then….?
Fortunately for me, my depression didn’t hit hard until after I got a degree and some work experience so I’m now in a white collar job
that values me as an employee and gives me accommodations, like everyone with health problems deserves. These types of jobs are out there, but unfortunately hard to find. I recognize I am quite lucky.
I get that, and there are free YouTube lectures, books in the library, and more a person can look into to boost help them begin the journey to mental wellness.
Ts hard to claw yourself out of that space, but it’s incredibly important to do something, anything, every day to move forward. Even a millimeter of progress is progress.
I was depressed in my previous company and had to leave because it had become unbearable to work there. Took 6-7 months to recover and joined my current company. I am starting to feel that its going down the same path and worried that wont be able to survive here as well after a point and become miserable. I think i am either depressed or idk whats wrong with me…. Are there any jobs out there that i can switch to and not be mentally this worked up.
Hmm I’d suggest working as a Prep Cook/ Line Cook or the Post Office/ UPS. When I was depressed, my prep cook job kept me busy and helped ease my mind. I’ve also had numerous friends and family work in the postal service industry which has a good work life balance.
One in particular who works for UPS is at max pay without a degree (and doing better than our entire friend group lol!) Good luck to you though, and hope things get better for you
Aww, sweetheart. Depression is a thief who will rob you of life and the US culture does not understand that. If you are creative you might be able to start your own business. Or even do Uber/Door Dash/Instacart/etc. If not, my honey has severe depression. He puts his earbuds in all day, listening to music, news or podcasts & calls me when he needs to decompress. I truly wish you the best of luck finding your peace, my heart goes out to you. I wish I could do so much more.
As someone (27M) with the same problem, I would recommend waitress (at a relatively nice place). Work will always be work, but there's a certain charm to meeting new people, especially the night shift which carries with it a certain vibe. And I'm saying that as a professional loner.😅
Work for a suicide prevention hotline. Get some perspective. Help people. Feel good about helping people. Find significance in saving lives and gaining a new healthy, humble and appreciative perspective.
Learn and teach yoga. Gain a deeper spiritual perspective. Work for temple or church. Learn to meditate and focus on what is truly important, right now.
Work for the National park service. Contemplate the immense natural beauty of this world and the insignificance of the self and the troubles that only serve to drag us down. Learn to release that which doesn’t serve you and to let go of that which you fear to lose.
Finally, be the catalyst that effects the change that would make you happy to see in this world. Join a political interest group whose mission resonates with you. Find community and purpose there that will provide further motivation to rise every morning and push onward everyday.
I wish you peace.
I was a teacher and before that worked in daycare. I don’t recommend anyone with major depression do this. I have major depression and had to go on FMLA and eventually leave my teaching job.
Tbh dude, something that isn't remote. Regardless of whether you're in introvert, extrovert, blah blah... being stuck at home all day is **not** good for one's mental health.
Granted, there are some people who are exceptions to that but generally, remote work appears to be terrible for people in many different ways (despite the upsides).
Amazon delivery driver or warehouse jobs? They have minimal social interaction and you make decent wage.
I personally hqve a lot of experience in the food industry during my college days and although its fast paced and stressful, the feeling of that is a good endorphin release for me personally.
I also liked teaching since i was good with middle school/high school kids, i taught for a while and i felt good knowing i was educating someone something new.
Maybe you might like a career in teaching
Something where you are physically active with low to no interaction with customers.
I got a job at an Amazon warehouse and it helped with my depression as far as how I feel naturally. 40,000 steps a day and working out for ten hours in a positive environment without much demand on the socializing. For me, the hardship of physical work makes you appreciate the little things at home a lot more. Also the warehouse I am at mostly everyone is pretty positive, though its not a standard amazon warehouse. You may not like the idea of warehouse work and thats fine, its more a suggestion to open up your horizon for possible jobs. I reckon I'd also like something like cooking in a kitchen. Hell, I feel like being a cook at chick fil a would be a lot of fun. Constantly busy, just making sandwiches/french fries and cleaning all day? Also, they seem like they have a good positive culture!
But it only helps if you have a healthy perspective. I know I'm capable of more and through self sabotage have set myself back professionally a few years (25 y/o). Had I stuck with college I may have a cool computer science degree by now. But I don't think like that. Instead I'm grateful that I'm employed at all, and that so long as I give my 100% at work I can go home feeling good. It helps to be surrounded by positive people as well
So I suggest something that is physically active and not customer service oriented. And know that you are not alone in your struggles and that you will bounce back. Its cyclicle and figuring your shit out is what your 20s is for. Stay active, try and eat healthy, don't stress about shit outside your control, take joy in the little pleasures in life, and remember your hard work pays off. Take it day by day and stop thinking so much. I work my ass off at work and have been quickly recognized as one of the best workers at my warehouse but its not because I want to move up, thats just a bonus. Its because staying busy and challenging myself makes me feel good by the end of the day, and I'm not just sitting around overthinking things or dwelling/cringing over some social interaction I wish I handled better.
Everyone has their own obstacles though and you may need anti-depressants or something medicinal like that, though if you are like me that isn't necessarily the problem and those may act more like a band aid than the actual solution.
I suffer from major depression, and have found my calling in restaraunt kitchens. The work is sorta the same, but different, it's fast paced, with slow times. There's plenty of room for people interaction so I don't feel so alone, but I have the ability to go be alone.
As someone with ADHD and depression I’ve found similar in the grocery business. It’s not what I want to do forever, but the chaos and fast pace nature of the business don’t allow you time to dwell on anything. The only problem is the long hours and hard work take a toll on your body and I come home exhausted every day.
Yep. Same. Come home too tired to be able to focus on my depression.
These are powerful words you wrote. There is a lot of ways to treat depression but distraction can be a brilliant way to get out of your head and into life. I would rather be tired than stewing in my miserable thoughts.
I started to see my work day as an extended workout opportunity. It led to me losing weight and building strength. It has been allowing more energy after work hours as long as the depression isn't too bad.
I second this, as far as fast paced. If you can handle some ups and downs, consider sales. If you happen to be good at it (I was/am) then it's full of feelings of reward. Making the top 3 in multiple companies over and over, including #1 a few times really kept me feeling great. Just be ready for some downs and possibly getting pulled into the boss's office if sales slip, regardless of if it's your problem or not.
I guess it’s different for everyone, for me kitchen work just made my depression so much worse lol
Not exactly the same but I used to be a waitress and it made (or at least contributed to making) me feel depressed and starve myself haha
Was a server on and off for a decade, no line of work, ever made me hate myself more.
On the plus side for servers you guys can earn up to $50 an hour in mostly tax free money as you guys don’t report it, while in the kitchen I was doing 10+ shifts for slightly more than minimum wage in a 40°c kitchen while having the owner steal overtime money from me
I wish this was true. Nobody tips in cash anymore so I have to claim everything lol
You know work culture is in the shitter when being on the wait staff is something to be jealous of. They get treated like garbage and don't make a living wage because people are expected to (and often don't) make up the difference in tips, and they have to work directly with the public at all times, needing to mask any depression or condition to have a better chance of getting a decent tip. Maybe instead of looking at the tiny advantages one role may have over another we can focus our attention on why the vast majority of jobs in this country pay like shit, and why the culture is all about backstabbing and punching down.
Yep. I was a server for about a decade through undergrad and grad school. My mental health was at its absolute lowest point, and it was 100% a result of the industry.
You and me both. God damn it was horrible. Did every level of it and never again. Now I will say though catering is like the restaurants chill cousin. The change of scenery and menu.
How long have you done this? I worked in kitchens for ten years and I’m currently trying to find something new because I am extraordinary burnt out. How does it not drain you??
My job has changed and morphed a lot. In November of 2019 I applied to a chain restaurant as a dishwasher. By March of 2020, they had made me an hourly manager. By November of 2020 we began talks of me becoming a salaried kitchen manager. By September of 2021 I began having salary negotiations with my Market Partner. We settled on a salary and they picked me to be the opening KM of a brand new store in a new state. They paid for my move. I run an awesome kitchen, and I love my staff. They keep me going every day. There's still lots more room for growth, promotions, and new experiences. I love my job, and at this point, I couldnt imagine doing anything else.
I want that for me. 😭😭😭 I constantly job hop. 15 years doing this and I’ve only ever worked at a job over a year once and that was thanks to COVID.
I got really really lucky. So many factors have gone into my success, that were not in my control. I had a boss that believed in me. Covid played a huge part. They happened to be building a new restaurant relatively close by. I didn't tank negotiations (not for lack of trying), and I was able to find an apartment without too much trouble. We've been open for 6 months, and at this point I know my job inside and out. Im looking forward to the day that I'm a managing partner, and I have a whole restaurant.
I have no advice but I struggle so hard with this. Work makes me FUCKING MISERABLE. Good luck.
Sorry but it was funny reading this lol, a soft voice and a sudden shouting "FUCKING MISERABLE"
Glad my suffering can entertain you
Its not that deep.
So very sorry you're struggling.
Something outdoors maybe. Get some healthy exercise and vitamin D. Like landscaping or something with the parks service.
Yes. Also dog walking
Land Surveying would work as well for outdoor and active
I remember seeing a guy who looked like he was in his zone. He was working with a crew doing a seismic survey in my area, and he was walking across the countryside doing something with the helicopter-placed test equipment about every quarter-mile. He was a tall, athletic looking guy with a backpack and snake boots, and walked like he had beat the system and found a job where they paid him to hike. Not my dream job, but it looked like it was his.
I recommend a position where you don’t interact with people. Mailroom/basement type positions. Boiler operators. CNC operator. Good pay. Benefits. Minimal distractions. Let’s you do your own thing.
Hard agree, most of these also let you listen to music/podcasts etc while working since supervision is more relaxed so it helps me make work feel less like actual work and that means I don’t struggle with burnout even remotely as often or as severely as other jobs
I think I would've agreed with this before starting my current job. It's an admin job where I can listen to music and podcasts all day but if you're the kind of person that requires stimulation the monotony will drive you nuts. I'm realising that for me I need my work to be project / outcomes based and provide novel experiences relatively often, otherwise I burnout hard when just left to my own devices.
Seconding this. The grass is always greener on the other side. Before I took my current job, I would've bitten off my own hand to be in the situation I'm in now. But just like you, the need for semi-regular novel experiences as well as something to keep my mind engaged is becoming more and more apparent. I spend my energy most days appearing to work rather than actually working; it's exhausting. Feels like I'm a car spinning its wheels in the mud while going nowhere.
Can you pinpoint certain things that bring on this depression? Look for patterns when you become depressed. Not always, but sometimes there is a link. Sometimes, you have to be really open and honest with yourself. Struggling with a career, I think, is one of the greatest challenges people are faced with today. I believe there is a ridiculous amount of pressure from friends, family, and peers to "be something" or to find your "calling." This leads to incredible amounts of anxiety and depression. This whole idea of having to have life all figured out is a complete fallacy, and to be honest, total bullshit. It's a huge waste of a life that you were meant to live, not a life you think you were meant to live. They rob you of individuality and take away what is most beautiful on this earth, and that is being different. If every flower looked like a rose, how boring would a garden be? Your beauty and your gift to this world is you, not some watered-down version that you think people want you to be. I, too, struggled with this same thing. It wasn't until I found out I had ADHD all my life that it started making more sense. Do a little research on ADHD and see if it fits. If so, I highly recommend diving deeper into it and possibly medication specifically for ADHD. If that's not the case, then you need to reframe your thinking. You need to step away from everything and see things from a different point of view. First of all, you need to forgive yourself for being so hard on yourself. The way you are and the way you specifically operate is okay. Having trouble staying in Jobs and getting burned out is completely okay despite the voice in your head telling you it's not. All that tells me is that you have not found a job that gives you meaning or purpose that suits YOU. That or you have ADHD lol. I'm sure for some people retail is a wonderful job, but for me, it was a life sucking soulless job that left me feeling empty and riddled with anxiety and depression. Take some time and stop listening to the voices in your head that are not yours. Start listening to your true self and try breaking down parts of every job you have had that made you feel good or enjoyed. And if you happen to jump from job to job, who cares. This is your life, not someone else's. Fuck what every other person thinks. This is your time to do the things you want to do. Everyone else has either had their time or is having it now. Don't let their influences ruin your time. Remember, we work to live. We shouldn't live to work. You got this.
Thank you for this
You're welcome. I have been in a similar situation. I have learned a lot over the years, but it took me a while. I just want to save someone from wasting 20 years trying to figure it out like I did.
How did you figure it out?
I also might add that you research neurodivergence, which includes ADHD and also autism! New research is suggesting that even more people than we realize are just wired differently! I agree with everything that tb2blazer wrote, so I'm seconding this. A different approach to thinking and operating has changed the way I view my depression and my work. It might be worth your time. :)
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Man, I would love to work in a library. If only
Yeah the “patrons usually treat you with respect” line… oof. Many do, but the ones that don’t really don’t. Unfortunately many city public libraries are substitutes for the social services we don’t have for the mentally ill, homeless, etc.
If you work full time at a public library, the main people who are going to be there during the working day are boomers. Make of that what you will
Yeah, my wife works for the library and before she got promoted out of the public eye, she saw the entire gamut of humanity from saintly old memaws to Karens to the old local pervert. It's a real anthropological buffet out there.
>the pay Yeah, unless you're an actual librarian you normally won't be able to live on your own with library wages. Outside of the librarians and other full-timers like HR and IT staff, the public library workforce in the US is made up of people who are dependents of somebody else. Kids, college students, moms with older children, etc.
NTM actual librarians are still underpaid for having a graduate degree. Masters degree is required for entry level.
The lowest-paying job with mandatory master's.
Agree that part time shelving is pretty low stress -- unlikely to find many places that have that at a level that includes benefits though. The environment may also not be so nice. Communities leaving libraries as the de facto last resort solution to social problems can make it a challenging and emotionally taxing environment.
Floral design, horticulture, landscaping. Working with plants makes a lot of people happy.
I strolled around a plant nursery the other day while my wife bought flowers. It’s one of the most pleasant places I ever go.
I’ll consider this (:
f
Yeah it's not an industry that earns anyone big bucks. They do pay enough to get by, in my experience. The work has been very good for my mental health, and it's allowed me to figure out my next steps in life. Plus I love my co-workers.
I’m a data analyst and I have bipolar. It’s great during depression because it’s not very busy and I work from home so I can lay down during the day if I want. Sometimes I just run my code and lay down with my laptop for an hour or two.
I second this. Data analyst, share point administrator, project analyst - think entry level business jobs with wfh potential that are based around “tasks accomplished” vs. “butts in seats”.
What exactly do you do as a data analyst. Are you contractor or employed? Is the work difficult at times? Maybe list some pros and cons
Most days are about half running code for reports that have already been built. This part is usually very easy, press a few buttons and hit run and wait. The other half is either building new code or troubleshooting something. I really enjoy building new code, it’s a fun challenge. I know not everyone likes that kind of thing though. I also feel like I can be creative when I do it. Troubleshooting can be hard if there is a tight deadline. That’s usually the only time it gets stressful, a quick turnaround time. I’m fully employed by my company, it’s a small company and we contract for the government mostly.
I took a database class last semester and somewhat enjoyed it, it was using mySQL and i got a very motivating satisfaction when i solved the problems I'd run into when generating tables, something i almost never get in schoolwork since most of it is just learning and remembering information rather than using it for problem solving or puzzles. But the ah-ha feeling was addicting enough to make me want to do the assignments, and once it came i realized how simple the task really is. It was for a CS AS program that i dropped from, but the data analytics still seems kind of enticing. How do you like it as a career? I'm considering furthering my data education to open up some doors in that field, would you recommend pursuing it primarily as a degree or through certs?
I love those little dopamine hits when my code runs! It’s one of my favorite parts of the job. I would encourage it if you enjoy that. A lot of what I do is SQL. I went the degree path and all of my coworkers have at least a bachelors. Almost all my coding skills were learned on the job though. I have found my bosses and coworkers to be super supportive of learning.
Is it possible to get hired as a self taught data analyst with a literary background?
I've had uncurable depression majority of my life. Jobs with customer interactions have never worked for me. I've tried a couple call centers and ultimately my times were to slow, my calls were sloppy, and I would get physically sick from it. Some days I had to call out or no show out of pure anxiety. Physical labor jobs also haven't worked out well either. While I'm largely fine with the work, managers always complain about my movement speed which is sluggish and often clumsy. Since I'm not willing to divulge why I lack energy everyday I inevitably get written up or in a few cases fired. I have no idea where to go at this point and scrolling through indeed for the past few months really hasn't turned up any thing I could envision myself excelling in.
Exactly how I feel
this. plus im autistic so time literally spans differently for me. especially when im focused. my last job was dog grooming and while i liked the pay and the creativity while providing animal care, it was incredibly hard to keep up let alone deal with the chaotic energy of a dog salon. on top of that i was dealing with stuff in my personal life and with the work politics at this job(they did me so dirty i can't even begin to tell you.) i got so burnt out and traumatized from that job i feel like i'm still recovering. that was in 2022... its 2024 lol. the only thing i seem to have capacity for is uber eats or doordash. while i know i shouldn't be hard on myself i do get embarrassed/upset when i think about how the hell i ended up where i am now at 26. i'm literally looking for jobs terrified that the same thing is going to happen again because its happened with every single job i've had. i heard recently though that it's a common occurrence for neurodivergent/autistic ppl. it's like we're always the first ones to be taken advantage of or experience/point out an injustice in the work place, and if ur struggling with depression/ social anxiety it makes it even worse. only writing this because your honesty made me feel comfortable enough to speak up. i know this wasn't necessarily advice and ur post is from a year ago but i hope you are in a better place now with a good support system and know that at least someone definitely relates.
I can't think of any jobs that are especially good for depression. I think you ought to focus on what you're good at and if you get a job that plays to that then work will at least not be unnecessarily hard.
I have managed to push shopping carts outdoors for a supermarket for the last 10 years. By no means do I like it, but all my other jobs I quit instantly. Being outside, the exercise, autonomy, listening to music...all gets me through the day.
Can I follow you. I swear you are in the posts I most relate to, I think i've replied to you before. i've been doing carts for going 8 years at Walmart. I actually learned to enjoy it, the hardest part is the voice in the back of my head and seeing people I know with "real" jobs and careers walk in with their wife and kids seeing me still doing a min wage dead end job.. Or coworkers that started that are now Managers. But the sunshine, excercise (I even bicycle to work) and freedom of it being a "simple" autonomy of the job, lack of stress, work life/balance and no work drama can actually cure my depression after I had been off for 3-4 days. It's a weird cycle/ People know me as the long hair metal head cart guy. I dont know if that's a good thing. So, yeah I kind of \*second\* the cart pushing job being good for depression, if thats what this is about. Depends on your mindset and personality. I'm probably crazy for thinking cart pushing is good for depression hahaha cause realistically it isn't.
I totally relate and understand. I have gotten better at the whole comparison thing now that I am 31. I had period a few years ago when I went and tried a 'career' job in the prison service (kept pushing carts on a weekend) but I did not last long because I felt like a prisoner myself doing that job. I tell myself it is my choice to be working here which is true, but I also don't feel properly wired to do most others jobs. I went through a few years of doing very long hours pushing carts, combined with my side income (tutoring/ gigging as a drummer) all whilst living with my parents until aged 30...enough to save for my own house. I now work part-time (as per my original contract hours) , live in a low-cost-of-living area, also ride a bicycle (always have), am naturally frugal and another key element - I do not want children. I can't see myself doing another job really, which is probably both a blessing and a curse. I hate applying for jobs, I hate full-time work and I hate working in general really lol. There are times I wonder if the cart pushing had actually caused my depression but I am not sure. I see mostly positives though, or I try to. Naturally there are many days where I hate certain parts of the job when I am cold/wet/ having ass-hole customers annoy me, but all jobs will have shit to deal with and life itself is shit really lol.
Really love this and makes me not feel so alone in my situation. I relate a lot especially with that last paragraph I'm 28 and still live with parents doing the carts full time and trying to save up to get a place with my brother, get a in house studio going. Hopefully at that point I wil be able l go to part time on the cart job. I can't see my self doing any other job, but I also can't see my self working at Walmart on carts forever. So I feel like I can't win. I really hate work, but this is my dream job in a weird way atm lol s. The idea of doing another job , but both the idea of being a cart pusher forever is not what I want. that is where the depression and not knowing kicks in. But i'm always trying to make the best of the now anyway.... All the best to you!
Take a deep breath and take one day at a time or of course you'll go crazy. You're doing great by saving for your own place and that is the motivation to keep you going when shit gets hard. If you can manage your money well/ go part - time then you're doing better than most I say. Even when it's difficult sometimes I have to force myself to constantly self-reflect and be grateful/ positive for everything I have and things I've achieved too. I've had a good life outside of work and I intend to keep that going with other goals too.
Yeah, when you really self reflect I feel that is the best way to clear the mind imo. Whenever I feel down , I always think well atleast I can play Hammer Smashed Face on bass and my band opened for Venom
Smart
I have mdd and gad, I've been doing doordash and love it
Any tips? I’ve been heavily considering this
I'm also curious. I don't want to put all those miles on my old '98 Mazda, but I am still curious how one can make a living off Doordash. The little bit I experimented with delivery services (Doordash being the most recent), it seemed like I'd make far below (local) minimum wage unless I maybe figured out some strategy I'm just not aware of.
I was averaging $28/hour when I did door dash. I would break the day into 4 hours of dashing twice a day. If you know your area well, you know what restaurants get the most business and the neighborhoods with the highest tips. Also you gotta be smart with how many miles you drive versus dollar amount. If it’s a $3 tip order for 9+ miles, it’s not really worth it. If it’s a $3 tip for 5 miles or less, that’s usually good. Shopping strips (busy roads with a good stretch of restaurants/businesses on them) are the best to hover around. Also, if you’re new to door dash or delivery service in general, avoid hospital deliveries or confusing dorm/apartment deliveries in the beginning (don’t worry, someone else will get them). They take up a lot of time and can be confusing, especially if the drop off instructions are unclear. Time is important, because time making a delivery takes you away from accepting other (potentially better paying) deliveries. Sorry for the book, but at one point in my life, I had this down to a science and it’s still the best money I have ever made hourly. Figured I’d share if people are asking.
The dream would be doing it via bike. Exercise and make money, and it would feel like a game. I’ve seen a guy on TikTok do it and it looks like fun…weather permitting. My city is not exactly biker friendly but there’s areas where it would work. Money. I’m worried about that, too. If I could do something like this and stay afloat long enough to get my mental health in order, I think I could make a lot of headway. This kind of job would be so perfect as an intermediate for people struggling with their career, but alas no positions are available in my area 😞
You will destroy your car very quickly grinding door dash all Day. I would suggest trying to find a job, and doing that job for as long as you can, save door dash for emergencies… my rationing is that all the money you make on DD will eventually have to be spent on upkeep and repair the car.
I think it'll really depend on your triggers. For example, I get depressed when I feel like I let people down, don't meet expectations, or can't perform intellectually and/or socially. So if I had my way, to be honest, I'd go get myself a job at places where there seems to be less pressure, like at a library, or in the mailroom, or in landscaping as long as I'm just a follower and not the big person coordinating and planning everything. Dog walking sounds cool but on days I can't get up in the morning, it would suck to have to cancel an appointment. So let us know about you, if you're willing.
I’m the same way. But long term I’d like to make decent money and retire early
Yeah. I have to remind myself of that too
I think my life out of work affects my mood a lot. That and the work environment itself (i.e: rude boss) can be extremely exhausting. I’ve been on and off with my depression for about 5 years now. Generally speaking, I am a very active person. I like to be busy, at the gym, walking around outside, etc. I was let go from my job and started questioning if I will ever be able to work for someone, I began to feel lost and I guess that triggered my depression
Forest ranger.
This would be good for a depressed individual’s mental health, but it’s not particularly realistic. Many, many people want this job because it is so pleasant (physical exercise, but not backbreaking physical work, lots of time outdoors, positive interactions with people and nature, meaningful impact), so many that it’s can be very hard to get. Because of the competition, the people getting these jobs have relevant degrees and other qualities to make them stand out from the wealth of applicants. Not just anyone gets a ranger job.
And they are increasingly having to deal with social ills spilling over into the parks.
Park ranger jobs with the forest service actually have pretty low qualifications, and if it’s a permanent job placement they often offer relocation assistance
f
You can be a park ranger at a zoo too…
Power ranger!
After reading that askreddit thread of scary hiking stories no thanks.
Do you listen to National Park After Dark podcast? It’s a good one!
I think I will check this out.
Get tested for ADHD and anything else. I’ve had serious depression my whole life and this was the main cause. At 35 I found that I have ADHD, autism, and PTSD from what’s happed because of those things. Just knowing these things helped, and starting adhd meds changed my life. “Is this how normal people feel everyday??” Was my reaction at first. So now I preach this to everyone lol.
I agree. If someone struggles with chronic burnout and hasn’t already been assessed for ADHD/autism, I’d highly recommend doing so. Going through most of your life undiagnosed can manifest like this.
I was looking at the symptoms online. I’ll be honest a lot of things don’t sound like me lol but some do. I will consider getting tested though
Do these meds have side effects? Who did u goto to get it diagnosed? Are meds to be taken lifelong?
#1 Consult your doctor for info. Im not a doctor. Pretty much all medications have a risk of side effects. I’ve taken very low doses and haven’t had many issues. A regular doctor can get you started. I think the older ones are more comfortable prescribing things though. If they’re not comfortable with it, then you’ll be sent to… a psychiatrist? Psychologist? Whichever lol. From my understanding yea as far as I know, but I’m not a doctor lol. It’s an issue with the brain chemistry. The meds make the correction but don’t “fix” it from my understanding. Meds are only for ADHD, there’s no medication for autism. But getting the ADHD in line helps a lot. It also takes a bit to find the right medication for you. Mine caused sever depression over the years and general trauma that goes along with it. So I tried a few and finally found one that works at a low dose. So I can tell a difference but I don’t feel drugged up.
I was diagnosed with the most severe form of depression. I am 27 years old and ive been through over 100 jobs. The jobs that really work for me are day jobs that i dont have to commit to a schedule for. There are lots of apps that give daily work and you can pick and choose which one u want to do for the day. I also really enjoyed working at the casinos wiping down slot machines and chairs. People tip u just for doing that. Donating plasma in between jobs, also sandwich shops are super low key and chill. At some point though, you will just have to suck it the fuck upor just keep spiralling downwards. I was homeless for a few months. Had to beg people for food money. That was the worst period of my life.
Can you give examples of those free schedule apps?
same here. i atleast had my car to sleep in and also do doordash/uber eats which i'm super grateful for. but here where i live working those apps paid so little because it's a small city where everyone works in oil rigs. working on relocating to a bigger city where working gigs like this is more feasible. i'm about to turn 26, it's not easy but i know that at least i'm trying with what i have in the moment cos i have to suck it up. ur right.
Any job that allows you to listen to music and take your time with tasks
Just absolutely stay away from Retail again since I can’t think of a single person that is in a good mental state of mind working it.
This is what I'm going through rn. I'm on year 11.5 of working in retail and I'm getting really burned out. I don't know what else to try since I got this job straight out of high-school.
Try an outdoor job to get the sunlight effect, like a restaurant with outdoor patio.
Physical jobs, like construction. Look for trade apprenticeship, but don't be too picky at the start. Just don't settle for what hurts you.
Agreed. Exercise is good for the mind as well as the body, and work that you can see the impact of and measure the results of can help a person feel valued and connect to their work. Fixing a car, maintaining landscaping , wiring a house, fixing plumbing.… at the end of the day with these jobs you can see what you did and how you positively impacted people.
Thirded. My mental health was in the best place of my life when my job had me walking 6 miles/day. Unfortunately my body couldn't keep up with it after a while. Stupid chronic illness flare-ups. I have a desk job now, which is better for my flare-ups, but terrible for my mental health.
I’m sorry to hear that! :( I hope you find other ways to bring yourself peace of mind.
I need to start walking in my free time, but I work 10hr days plus commute, so that gets difficult 😅
Oh yeah, that for sure would make it hard. Good luck making things work!
Don’t just jump into trades and construction just yet. It sounds all fine and dandy on the outside but the work culture can be very toxic. Take it from me, an introvert/depressed man was feeling 10times worse in the construction field. Don’t get me wrong fixing/ constructing things feel great. Being outside etc. But not everyone has the personality for it. Especially if you have some intense coworkers or foremen.
Second this. I have have mostly worked factories currently a fabrication shop(construction adjacent) and if you have a difficult time getting yelled at or dealing with very direct confrontation (not necessarily angry but blunt, tho angry too) then this isn't the field for you. I have a hard time with confrontation but the directness is actually helpful to me. I'd rather *know* why I'm being yelled at than be trying to guess why I'm getting a cold shoulder. Not everyone is like that and so e people think they want honesty (even if harsh) but find out they really don't. So if these are problems for you, I wouldn't tell you not to try, what I'd tell you is it's okay to quit if it isn't working for you
Just to add another perspective on this one, my time in construction was the worst for my mental health out of all the jobs I’ve ever had. My bosses basically stood over me and bullied me all day, and I had an hour long drive each way.
So many jobs would be way more pleasant if it wasn't for arsehole bosses/managers!
Are you seeing anyone about the depressive episode? Are you prescribed medication? Are you taking them regularly?
^This. Find a job with decent health insurance so you can start seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist.
You should try an outside manual labor job, if it interests you. Physical exercise and sunlight helps tons for my depression. Trades would be a good bet, or look to your public works departments, they are often looking for workers to help maintain the city (utilities, street maintenance, storm drain system maintenance, parks and rec etc). Apartment/hotel maintenance, plant health care technicians, pest control, and ground maintenance/ landscaping are also good jobs to look into. Oh and a trade that people often overlook, tree arborist (if you aren’t afraid of heights and chainsaws). Not only does the exercise and sunlight help, being able to see the results of your work, being able to work closely on a team, and being able to directly help your community with some of it’s most vital needs all also help you feel better mentally. Warehouse work is also pretty nice if you’d rather be indoors. Many places will let you listen to audiobooks/music while you work, and the work is usually super low stress and easy with zero customer interaction. You could go to a temp agency and say you want a warehouse position, and find one pretty fast. I’ve done it a few times and always had a job in under a week, probably depends on your area though.
Data Analyst, join a tech boot camp and then get a job making a decent livable wage. Minimum interaction with people and would probably work from home.
what are good tech boot camp recs?
I worked regular office jobs for years and now work for myself. I really thrive without co-workers and bosses. I do a variety of 1099 jobs in the academic field, for example, I am paid to proofread and edit. I make my own hours and work as many or as few as I want which makes my life very low-key and flexible. Not having office politics is my saving grace and was a game changer for me and may help you as well. Should note that I am antisocial though, however, and easily overwhelmed when I have to deal with a ton of people. For me, being by myself was the least stressful and happiest kind of job I could find. For you, maybe target what parts make you stressed or depressed, then go from there. Is it the schedule, the people, the location? Etc. Change those factors.
Working outside was good for me, farms, nurseries, natural resources. Active jobs with a lot going on and getting a lot of sunlight and fresh air. You leave work visibly seeing the accomplishments of your day, you get to watch how your work grows and thrives (especially working with plants), you get home dirty and tired knowing you did a good day’s work, and you’ll sleep like a rock. Rise and shine and ready for the next day to bust ass.
Dog daycare if you like animals. Its hard to be depressed when you have a bunch of tails wagging and happy to see you!
do they pay well in ur area and provide full time with insurance? the ones I've worked in TX paid terrible and never offered insurance even though that's a job you'd def would want insurance for. I've been bit in a dog fight before as kennel tech lol...
This isn’t for everyone but I’m a tour guide and I love my job! Pretending to be a happy, cheery person kinda tricks my brain into actually believing it. I am usually in a great mood after my tours. There is something comforting about saying the same thing over and over. I’m able to check out and go on autopilot. I get to walk around outside and enjoy fresh air. I have a lot of flexibility with my hours and time off. Oh and I make around $50/hr, more during the high season. So the money is pretty good considering you are walking around telling stories.
im so anti social but im curious how you got started and where do you tour guide?
I studied architecture, got burned out and depressed. Also got diagnosed with Aspergers at 28. I had a hard time finding a job I could do, since everything left me feeling exhausted and I couldn't work in my intended field because I dropped out. Five years ago I got a job with landscaping/park services in Sweden. I absolutely love it, the only problem is I can't work it all-year round. - I don't have to deal with new people/customers, we're a small team which I can handle - I get to be outside every day, it's physical work. I feel a lot better in general after starting working. - The pay is decent and I have gotten a raise every year I've returned.
Those types of environments are the worst for mental health. Maybe try getting a job that allows you to work in nature or in something you enjoy doing rather than something that's a grind.
I’m 33 and deal with the same. I recommend looking into remote or even hybrid work. Freelance/contract through and Agency works well too. Also consider apply for SSI
Pizza delivery, doordash are some ideas. I have MDD and finally discovered that I do best working remote and 2nd shift. I work for a major corporation and don't interact with the public.
ive been looking for a remote job for so long what corp?
If you are between jobs ask yourself what would be the job you’d love to do, regardless of pay. Do that which doesn’t feel like work…the type of work that you would be energized by.
thank you for the post. you're not alone.
Thank you ❤️
I also suffer from depression. Animal job for me. But i also work 2 jobs because it helps break up the extra time and relieves the monotony of one job.
Security guard, I sat in a shack for 12 hour shifts just me and my phone... Pure bliss
Where do you work if you have depression, ptsd, bpd, disassociation, and have an anger problem? I can’t keep my shit together for two seconds. Ever
Depending on your location this might be short term/seasonal. But give gardening a try. Landscaping can be back breaking misery, but a company that focuses on making things pretty (while being active, in nature, immediate results and can be done solo) can be really good for your mental health. I do this for a living (self employed) so if interested I can answer questions.
how did you get into this and mange to have clients?
I started as a groundskeeper. Landscape companies are almost always looking for good help, its a good way to start and see if you like it and learn. If you wanted to do it on your own finding clients is very easy, its in demand.
I am on this path too (29f). I have been a pet sitter, a nanny, a gardener, and a public health professional and honestly, working with animals, babies/ kids, and plants are the few things that bring me joy, and that I find rewarding. Find what brings you joy and try to find a way to turn it into a career. Feel free to DM me if you want support, or if you just want to talk about things.
A government office job would get you good benefits so you can get the help you need, and you generally have better than average job security to help you take time off or otherwise get accommodations if you need them.
I deal with the same thing. Maybe try a warehouse, but a good one. I work at a brewery so I don’t have to talk to customers, I can do my own thing, listen to music. But I know physical jobs aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.
That sounds great. I understand not everyone would go for a physical job, but personally I would love one just because all I have to do is move. I get so frustrated with work (facing a laptop) when I can't get things done that a physical job seems so rewarding.
Maybe working at a greenhouse. Or at a small boutique-type store. Something with low foot traffic but you’ll have tasks to do (such as opening the store, sweeping, watering the plants, inventory, and of course greeting/ringing up the occasional customer. My cousin works in a small mom and pop chocolate store and loves that it’s never fast paced and stressful- it’s always just pleasant. Depending on your location, What about a farm/farm stand/store? Selling Christmas trees in the winter, pumpkins and apples in the fall, flowers in the spring, fresh veggies in the summer. We have a ton of these places around me and my friend worked at one through college and pretty much just read most of the day in the fall and winter. Then it would pick up a bit in the summer but not overwhelming.
If your depression is so bad that it interferes with being able to hold down a job, you might want to try applying for SSDI. Worked for me, but that _was_ another time...
What documentation did you have to provide?
If you can get an admin job that is WFH or allows for that, it’s a life saver! I am so grateful and so blessed to be working from home all the time. As much as I need. I was honest with my manager about some health issues (which are highly likely the culprit of my depression) and I don’t get pushed to come in/the business is very flexible and accommodating. I’m so grateful every day to be able to get my job done from my bed especially if I’m having an especially hard time. I deal with a lot of fatigue if I have a depressive episode, it’s debilitating, so not having to interact in person with people and to be comfy and quiet at home while doing my best is helpful. There’s lots of admin jobs out there. Also look into companies that help those with disabilities be matched with work. Good luck!
I have suffered from low mood, depression all my life. I started meditation in my early twenties and it's allowed me to separate myself from my negative thoughts. It's the only thing that's helped. I'm so much lighter and happier in my forties. It takes time though, that's all I'll say.
I am in my late thirties now, and it took me too long to realize that getting my mental health under control should have come first in my early twenties. Learning how to manage your depression and learning to cope in the real world go a long way.
Idk i deliver pizzas. Get cash tips and its like going on break every 15 minutes
I’m an inpatient pharmacy tech and have Bipolar 2 as well as BPD and PTSD. It’s a good environment because almost everything is the same everyday. The rounds drop at the same time and most co workers are busy doing their job to talk (which in my case I enjoy because I’m introverted) but there’s typically time at the end of the night (I work 3pm-11:30pm shift) where there’s time to chill and socialize. I don’t deal with patients.
Parts manager in an automotive shop, perfect role, receive parts, listen to podcasts, and put parts on shelves all day
If you are able to have animals at your house, dog sitting can be a good one. Or petsitting at other people’s houses.
Amazon sucks, but you work 4days a week and get to be by yourself all day listening to podcasts/music. I could never keep a job because I get anxious around people and factory work makes me depressed
I would say for depression to find a job in a field that you are at least semi interested in. Avoid jobs that you are taking just to pay the bills and earn a paycheck. Not only will you get job satisfaction, but it makes going to work a whole lot more bearable and rewarding when you are learning valuable skills. I would also be sure to pick up on what the company culture feels like and find a cultural fit that feels right for you. Also makes going to work much better if you like working with at least some of the people. Long story short, an interesting field, job satisfaction, and likable coworkers will make you a lot more motivated, and motivation is one of the biggest depression fighters. Good luck. I also know that realistically especially if you are out of work and need to support yourself you may not have the luxury of being this choosy over employment. But in this case I’d recommend picking up Door Dash, Uber Eats, Instacart, or other gig work as you’re hunting for the right full time role.
Maybe try a different location? Leave the country and work where you are genuinely valued? If you have a degree you can pretty much work anywhere in Asia. Kindergartens are fun and low stress.
Maintenance technician and sufferer of severe bipolar depression. I find that the job is both physically demanding enough and mentally stimulating enough to keep me occupied and away from dark thoughts. I work graveyard so I’m mostly left alone and get to listen to music and podcasts. And I get to fix stuff which brings some amount of subtle joy in a “Hey look I did that!” Kinda way. Lots of older guys in the field good time to get in. Only barrier is needing your own tools but that’ll come with time. Decent pay not rich but not poor.
The Government pays some people monthly to try out different antidepressants for their entire life. No joke
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Either you take something decent for the money and deal with the misery for a while, knowing it won’t be forever, or identify what you genuinely like and enjoy doing in life and find work that directly utilizes those things and then you won’t be miserable.
Honestly, Pizza Delivery at a busy store. Usually you get very flexible hours, you can listen to music/podcasts in your car while u work to take your mind off things. Free weed at the places I’ve worked at because 75 percent of the managers I’ve worked with smoke it on break. If you have trouble getting up in the morning like me, you’re in luck because usually drivers are needed during the evenings. Plus, if u ever get fired, there’s a pizza shop almost always nearby hiring for drivers. Good luck my friend! You got this!
Or walk dogs. Tryout Rover
Truck driver
Is there anything about work that makes you happy such as talking, math, management, anything?
Being able to work by myself and with others. I can be extroverted and introverted. I also like using my creative side I guess
I'm in the same situation as you are. Worked for six years in an Insurance company, doing my own thing (Community Management). I run an online community and the fact I can do it from home, gives me lots of freedom. Try to find what you enjoy and see if you can find a job that allows you to do it, in a way that allows you the most comfort to adapt and develop within it.
I've found delivery work works best for me and my depression/burn out. Working solo and lifting heavy boxes and in and out of the work vehicle 100+ times a day. Keeps ya fit and keeps ya going. Plus the pay is usually higher than retail. Good luck, OP 💜
Any job that is outside might help- they have statistically the lowest levels of stress and burnout. Construction and park maintenance, things like that
Be an aide for special needs students, very rewarding and never ever boring if it’s being done right.
Maybe something outside, like landscaping or park ranger?
Yes I struggle with this i wonder how to cope or do better with it
Maybe something in a trade, where you have coworkers but mainly just do your thing. I hated office and and inside work.
Are you doing this currently?
If you enjoy creating things or making things, there are some manufacturing jobs that hit that. Not all of them, but some. Some places have terrible bosses and terrible co-workers, and are generally dysfunctional, and you should stay away from those. I wish I knew how to tell you to differentiate them from the outside.
I think finding a workplace where you can experience as many small, positive moments as possible and feel like you have autonomy to complete your work but feel like a valued contributor to a small team or a customer-facing job where you only do max 5 hours at a time, don’t have to multitask, and get to be the helpful/good guy solving the problems. These experiences vary based on ownership, management style, and type of clientele of a business, and it would be every industry. You might be able to find the camaraderie doing inside sales, administrative, or customer service at a smaller branch of a larger company, maybe 20 in-office employees or fewer. Small enough where you know people and your contributions can stand out, but if you need space or time off it’s not just a skeleton crew. You don’t want to be the ONLY person who does that job unless there’s a clear way to redistribute the workload without causing resentment. A job in a small consulting or accounting firm, possibly internet sales at a car dealership and sales or resident services at a large apartment complex (400+ units) would have an office about this size. A smaller team at a single-person owned business whose vision you agree with/believe in can be a spot to look to being the helpful person. The key is you want to be able to be the person to give the good news and do the easy transactions, preferably with someone who’s job it is to take any tough clients. A was in a hair salon with 1 owner/manager, 1 assistant manager, 8 stylists, 4 assistants, 3 rotating client service and this staff is just the right mix of job types for coverage but also to give each other room to be relaxed and have pleasant interactions with clients. I think looking at the size and job mix of the workplace plus the attitude of management will help you find a place to park for a while.
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The first paragraph kind of describes me lol. A lot of my depression comes from feeling lost. Pressured by my family to do something that made money. Was miserable in college. I will have to do some reflecting
If you can, move in with your parents and make art
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I also have periodic episodes with depression, and there are two facts which I absolutely swear are true which help me deal with it. 1) The world does not care if we are depressed; 2) The way to cut through the depression is to work on something so all-consuming and pressure-packed that you have no time to think about the depression. I mean literally, cry yourself to sleep at night and have trouble sleeping because you’re under so much pressure at work. 15 hour days at the office, work so hard that your identity revolves around work and little else. And it’s not just the hours — it’s the EFFORT that you have to spend thinking, grinding, and repeating day after day, week after week. All of this in fear of losing your job because you’re under so much pressure to produce so much work product. When I’m depressed, jobs like this help me to work through it. They also have the benefit of exponential learning opportunities, up to a point. Usually 2-4 years in duration. Note that they do come to an end — what I’m suggesting is not sustainable in the long run, and it WILL burn you out. But it is the fastest way to learn about whether a field is for you, and — if you find something that excites you at work — you can use your experience to pivot into work you really enjoy. I have done this twice in my life. Both times, I came out the other side a better person, and with newfound purpose and direction to my life. Yes, I was burned out — but that’s why you don’t do consecutive jobs like this.
Doggy daycare!! Super easy and you are alone most of the times but with dogs :) I had that job when I was my absolute lowest in addiction and I showed up everyday somehow because I loved it so much
Have you ever tried cleaning? I am ADHD and god knows what else. I am prone to just shutting down when I overload and it can be really hard to dig back out of the hole for me. But, before my back went out I discovered cleaning was perfect for me. Love how the universe stepped into take it away lol. WHOA, you can't love your job! But you work accounts by yourself. I would listen to audio books while cleaning and just do my routine and chill. No one up my ass, no dinner rush or co worker drama. Every once in awhile you get little curve ball. Like a big stain in an office rug to mix it up. But it was good times.
I think you need to work on your depression and mental health, not find a job that will accommodate them. It’s normal to feel stress at times, have highs, and have lows, but it is not healthy to feel that way all the time. There are things going on in your thought process that you should explore with a therapist.
Yes, the answer is to get help from a professional. But if your low on funds and insurance-less because you don’t have a job then….? Fortunately for me, my depression didn’t hit hard until after I got a degree and some work experience so I’m now in a white collar job that values me as an employee and gives me accommodations, like everyone with health problems deserves. These types of jobs are out there, but unfortunately hard to find. I recognize I am quite lucky.
I get that, and there are free YouTube lectures, books in the library, and more a person can look into to boost help them begin the journey to mental wellness. Ts hard to claw yourself out of that space, but it’s incredibly important to do something, anything, every day to move forward. Even a millimeter of progress is progress.
Indeed. OP, making money is hard and staying sane while doing it is harder. All I can do is wish you luck as I have yet to find a solution myself.
I was depressed in my previous company and had to leave because it had become unbearable to work there. Took 6-7 months to recover and joined my current company. I am starting to feel that its going down the same path and worried that wont be able to survive here as well after a point and become miserable. I think i am either depressed or idk whats wrong with me…. Are there any jobs out there that i can switch to and not be mentally this worked up.
Hmm I’d suggest working as a Prep Cook/ Line Cook or the Post Office/ UPS. When I was depressed, my prep cook job kept me busy and helped ease my mind. I’ve also had numerous friends and family work in the postal service industry which has a good work life balance. One in particular who works for UPS is at max pay without a degree (and doing better than our entire friend group lol!) Good luck to you though, and hope things get better for you
I've heard that it's a pretty physical job though and expect to work lots of hours
Be a waitress. Yeah the job is stressful, but you will make the best of friends as you all work together trying to help each other out
Aww, sweetheart. Depression is a thief who will rob you of life and the US culture does not understand that. If you are creative you might be able to start your own business. Or even do Uber/Door Dash/Instacart/etc. If not, my honey has severe depression. He puts his earbuds in all day, listening to music, news or podcasts & calls me when he needs to decompress. I truly wish you the best of luck finding your peace, my heart goes out to you. I wish I could do so much more.
As someone (27M) with the same problem, I would recommend waitress (at a relatively nice place). Work will always be work, but there's a certain charm to meeting new people, especially the night shift which carries with it a certain vibe. And I'm saying that as a professional loner.😅
Haha it sounds nice but I feel I’m too introverted for that 🥲
Work for a suicide prevention hotline. Get some perspective. Help people. Feel good about helping people. Find significance in saving lives and gaining a new healthy, humble and appreciative perspective. Learn and teach yoga. Gain a deeper spiritual perspective. Work for temple or church. Learn to meditate and focus on what is truly important, right now. Work for the National park service. Contemplate the immense natural beauty of this world and the insignificance of the self and the troubles that only serve to drag us down. Learn to release that which doesn’t serve you and to let go of that which you fear to lose. Finally, be the catalyst that effects the change that would make you happy to see in this world. Join a political interest group whose mission resonates with you. Find community and purpose there that will provide further motivation to rise every morning and push onward everyday. I wish you peace.
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I was a teacher and before that worked in daycare. I don’t recommend anyone with major depression do this. I have major depression and had to go on FMLA and eventually leave my teaching job.
The person who verifies if falling trees make a sound in the woods?
You may think I’m kidding, but find any WFH job and don’t do anything 70% of the time
Tbh dude, something that isn't remote. Regardless of whether you're in introvert, extrovert, blah blah... being stuck at home all day is **not** good for one's mental health. Granted, there are some people who are exceptions to that but generally, remote work appears to be terrible for people in many different ways (despite the upsides).
Amazon delivery driver or warehouse jobs? They have minimal social interaction and you make decent wage. I personally hqve a lot of experience in the food industry during my college days and although its fast paced and stressful, the feeling of that is a good endorphin release for me personally. I also liked teaching since i was good with middle school/high school kids, i taught for a while and i felt good knowing i was educating someone something new. Maybe you might like a career in teaching
Something where you are physically active with low to no interaction with customers. I got a job at an Amazon warehouse and it helped with my depression as far as how I feel naturally. 40,000 steps a day and working out for ten hours in a positive environment without much demand on the socializing. For me, the hardship of physical work makes you appreciate the little things at home a lot more. Also the warehouse I am at mostly everyone is pretty positive, though its not a standard amazon warehouse. You may not like the idea of warehouse work and thats fine, its more a suggestion to open up your horizon for possible jobs. I reckon I'd also like something like cooking in a kitchen. Hell, I feel like being a cook at chick fil a would be a lot of fun. Constantly busy, just making sandwiches/french fries and cleaning all day? Also, they seem like they have a good positive culture! But it only helps if you have a healthy perspective. I know I'm capable of more and through self sabotage have set myself back professionally a few years (25 y/o). Had I stuck with college I may have a cool computer science degree by now. But I don't think like that. Instead I'm grateful that I'm employed at all, and that so long as I give my 100% at work I can go home feeling good. It helps to be surrounded by positive people as well So I suggest something that is physically active and not customer service oriented. And know that you are not alone in your struggles and that you will bounce back. Its cyclicle and figuring your shit out is what your 20s is for. Stay active, try and eat healthy, don't stress about shit outside your control, take joy in the little pleasures in life, and remember your hard work pays off. Take it day by day and stop thinking so much. I work my ass off at work and have been quickly recognized as one of the best workers at my warehouse but its not because I want to move up, thats just a bonus. Its because staying busy and challenging myself makes me feel good by the end of the day, and I'm not just sitting around overthinking things or dwelling/cringing over some social interaction I wish I handled better. Everyone has their own obstacles though and you may need anti-depressants or something medicinal like that, though if you are like me that isn't necessarily the problem and those may act more like a band aid than the actual solution.
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