Question: I thought I'd post this because I'm...

I have a solution for you. I've been in the same situation and I felt even worse because I have limited abilities with driving, so I couldn't even get myself out of the house without someone elses' help, but here is what will help all these things:

Volunteer with a cause you care about while still looking for work.

It will...

1) give you something useful to do

2) instill a sense of pride and a good use of time--stopping depression!!

3) look fantastic on a Resume--just make sure it's not in a political/religious affiliation you're putting down--otherwise, it'll nix your consideration by default. Some neutral examples are working with animals, youth, or old people. Employers eat that stuff up.

4) help the world around you.

This is great so that potential employers can see you've done something --anything-- while job hunting and living at home. Good luck darling!! Go make a difference! :) ~Stephie

I can totally relate! I graduated and heading full steam with plans for finding a job, a home of my own and settling into an "adult" life. Three years later I'm still at the dead end job I took to make ends meet, and still living with my mom. I'm constantly looking for a job that relates to my field and pays something over minimum wage and am getting really discouraged with the lack of jobs, while being totally overwhelmed with all the decisions I have to make all at the same time. How can I choose one field, and be certain that I am willing to put in the next ten years working my way up the ranks with little to no experience. Plus none of the jobs pay beans! Living at home has been such a confidence defeating experience, I have reverted back to being in the same family situation I resented as a teenager, but cannot afford a place of my own on my salary. I left University with so many ideals and am sooooo frustrated with the letdown of reality.

I am in the same row boat as you ladies! I have always been a extremely independent- yet prideful person, so coming home after my college choice didnt work for me hurt my pride. I felt like a failure, unaccomplished and most importantly- dependent on another person. I love my mother with all of my heart, but after 18 yrs in the same house I'm ready to get out into the world. Unfortunately, the world we live in is a 'credit' based one and anything decent- such as a job, a nice car or a home is based upon a f#$%n credit score and it makes it hard for us young women to get out on our own.

Before I found my new job I was looking day and night for 8 months straight for a job and every answer was either a no or they never called back. I felt used and extremely confused, i isolated myself from a lot of my friends and family and was depressed 24/7. Once I checked into therapy, i began dealing with things I never wanted to and I believe that a person should go to therapy when they are most vulnerable, that way you have no distractions and can focus on purely you and yourself. When I tell you it was the best thing that ever happen to me. Not to say that my pride is not still hurt, but it help me deal with a lot of suppressed emotions that I had hidden inside and allowed me to really get to know myself better.

Unfortunately, I am still at home with my mom, but I finally found a poverty level job- but at least its paying my bills. I enrolled in online school classes and found out that online school is the best thing for me! I hate excercising, but I must say that bikram (hot) yoga is by far the best stress reliever since pain medications!

I know right now your spirit is crushed and most of us feel like failures, but we have to give ourselves credit that we desire to be better than what we are. Be proud and pray to your religious power that you are given these challenges because what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

One last thing I wanted to put out into the world is something that my grandmother use to always tell me: Always remember that somebody else has it worse than you. You complain about not having new shoes, while the person right next to you has no feet. Be thankful for what you DO have and try harder to obtain the things that you don't.

STAY STRONG LADIES! WE WILL PULL THROUGH JUST DON'T GIVE UP HOPE!!!!

I am in the same boat. I graduated from culinary school last December, specializing in baking/pastry, found a crappy job at a Food Lion bakery mostly slicing meat, cleaning up after people, and dealing w/ stupid managers, back in March. Then I had a nervous breakdown and quit my job. Then I started seeing a therapist and taking meds for my anxiety and depression. (That helped me so much) Meanwhile still unemployed. I volunteer at a community theater to help me release my creative side, and still try to look for a job. I also try to get out of the house as much as possible, my parents drive me crazy. They dont understand why I dont have a job and get mad at me but I tell them it is not my fault and that I am looking. It also does not help that they are retired and are home 24/7 either!

*hugs*

I am currently in the same boat. I graduated last December and coming back home has been very hard. There are days when I do not want to get out of bed because I feel like I failing. What helps me most days is trying to stay in a schedule, getting up at a decent time, looking for work, working on a project and volunteering. Also, I make sure I stay in touch with my friends from school with chat, phone or email dates. That actually helps me the most.

Its very hard going from your freedom of school to the restrictions of being home. What I hate the most is people saying "something will come, just be patient, you are too good not to find a job" I want to kick everyone who tells me this :)

I wish you and others in our situation best of luck! We need to remember that it is not all of our fault but that of the economy. All we can do is keep trying.

I'm in the same predicament. Don't really have much advice other than trying to find some hobbies and odd jobs to fill in the time and get you out of the house. If you can find a cheap fitness class, that would be really great since exercise also releases those feel-good endorphines- check into a local rec center. Try volunteering your time for a cause that's important to you, that might also cheer your spirits. I also house/petsit for people, and that gets me away from my parents for a while.