Struggling to keep it together

[rererestarting]

First post here. Sadly lots of problems and very little solutions.

I'm 32 and am struggling to keep it together after a string of bad decisions in my 20s coupled with some poor socialisation in my youth that has led me to a very desperate point.

I have been unable to find ANY work for almost 18 months. I used to be a youth worker in my previous role, but I couldn't find another agency that would hire me despite them being apparently desperate for staff, and being out of work so long means I've lost all my skills... I'm stuck in the holy trinity of unemployable: too old, zero experience, too much education with no qualifications from it.

I tried to complete a bachelor of nursing 2010-2015; but had to quit due to bullying, then moved to a bachelor of arts doing sociology that I have completed a minor in so far, but centrelink has cut me off from austudy. I did a certificates and diplomas in music industry before that and a whole lot of good that achieved... Basically I am no longer allowed to study to try and improve my employability.

I cannot even get a job pushing trolleys at coles because I'm not the "exploitable" type. It was dehumanising.

I tried volunteering with two separate community organisations in fields that I used to thoroughly enjoy; servicing the elderly migrants and teaching refugee kids English, but without any income my will to continue just evaporated.

I got a white card and several certificates that are useful for trades, but unless I'm under 20 tradies don't want a bar of me.

I didn't get my first job until I was 27 as an assistant in nursing and I cannot go back to the health and support industry due to PTSD from the bullying (undiagnosed, but avoiding the whole industry is all I need to keep it in check).

I have a string of issues that keep me out of certain industries: I can't work nights due to the mood destabilisation from sleep deprivation, I cannot work sales due to anxiety. I cannot cold call businesses due to anxiety either, and I struggle at the best of times to send in job applications because rejections REALLY badly affect me psychologically.

What are some suggestions for PAID entry level work. I need cash, not experience.

I am at the point of considering picking up a drug habit just so it would make a pension claim easier because of all the horror stories I have read of trying to apply with mental health alone 😞

[rererestarting]

Joining my local Men's Shed to try and do SOMETHING enjoyable with my idle time.

Got another "thanks but no thanks" email from an employer that a friend has consistently tried to get me into to no avail 😞

[Bluererer]

Hi there, I am somewhat older but experienced the same problem for a while. Here are some of the things I did:

Temporary work such as supervising exams (these are available for high school or uni exams) - no experience needed and added bonus: the person in charge gave me a reference for another job.

Christmas casual at Australia Post sorting parcels- from around October to Feb. I have done this for two years now and am on call when they need extra staff.

I now work as a disability carer in a private home. I had no experience but did a couple of short courses (manual handling, first aid). I work day and night shift but you could check on Gumtree or Seek; there are often people who are just looking for someone with similar interests or age rather than caring skills which can be learned on the job.

Years ago after a period of unemployment I got exployment in the insurance industry which I had no prior experience, but there are a lot of admin jobs out there who take on people with little or no practical skills relevant to the job.

It is hard but keep it up. Don't underestimate yourself, apply for jobs that you may not have considered even if you don't think you have the relevant skills 🙂