I don't remember the last time I was this unhappy with my life.

[Gravitycollapse]

I feel like I prepared myself pretty well for the soul crushing nature of life immediately after graduating from college. But it still hit me with hurricane force winds.

All I can think about is my ex (I seriously can't get her out of my head) and the fact that I don't have a good job and the mountain of student loan debt I have to start paying back in 5 months.

I'm either at my current job which pays shit and sucks the life out of me or at home moping around eating junk food. I'm bitter and resentful towards customers who display anything but the utmost of perfection in personality and demeanor.

In a little over 30 days I've turned into an aimless, asshole, retrograde.

I feel like I'm stuck on a deserted cruise ship drifting across a vast ocean. I don't know how to control this fucking thing.

[nirvana555]

1. Gravity collapse, in 2012, I was in a place mentally and emotionally

that is where you seem to be now. I couldn't find a job, my sister died,my beautiful and precious 12 y.o. kitty died and well, I wanted to die. I ended up getting on an anti-depressant (no, I'm not giving "medical" advice) but I feel it helped to save me. I joined a group that met every Monday morning of other professional job seekers where we could emotionally support each other, I had my network of friends and family (those who were compassionate as opposed to the "fair weather" folk), and I actually called suicide prevention at least twice per week. Things DID GET BETTER! try somehow to figure out what will truly help you and get that help. My thoughts and prayers are with you now....

[Agschmid]

2. Agree about the support groups...

There are many people in the same place and through support groups many people find a way out, or at least get comfort/support they need to battle on for another day.

[Marie Marie]

3. I'm so sorry that you are feeling sad and hopeless Gravitycollapse.

Sometimes life really seems to pile it on doesn't it? I can only hope that better days are ahead for you. We both know that they are, but sometimes it is too hard to see through the fog. Until things turn around for you, all you can do is get through it by doing your best every day and finding something out there that will bring you peace or even joy - no matter how small that something is. Meanwhile, sending a great big old hug your way.

[anasv]

4. eat healthy food and exercise

and be glad you have any job, suppose you didn't.

[Packerowner740]

5. Plus 1 on the eat healthy and exercise

The exercise alone will help improve your mood. Get a dog and exercise with your dog.

[mnhtnbb]

6. I'm sorry you are unhappy with your life.

We've all been there, in some form or another, whether with jobs, significant others, family...
you name it.

There's lots of good advice here already.

At work: focus on your customer. Be friendly. Find something positive to say to each
customer.

At home: structure some job seeking time every day to look for something else. Network, send out resumes,
research a company you'd like to work for and keep watch for openings or a way to meet someone who already
works there.

Leisure time: if you have the time, resources and inclination for a pet, think about getting a dog or cat.
If you like dogs, but can't afford one or don't have the time, think about offering to walk someone's dog
in the neighborhood or going to volunteer at your local shelter. Pets will give you so much love back for
the time you spend with them.

Good luck. Hang in there! And come back to DU for hugs and update us on how you're doing!

[pipi_k]

7. Sounds like

a case of depression to me. I've been dealing with depression for nearly 44 years, so it sounds familiar.

Anyway, someone suggested a support group, and I agree.

Since the first thing you mentioned was an inability to get over your ex, I would suggest starting with CoDA.


http://www.coda.org/

[Puzzledtraveller]

8. All of it is temporary

[Blue_Tires]

9. I'm in a different, but very similar boat

all I can say is I hope we both find our own ways out of this storm....

[raccoon]

10. Some good suggestions here. Hope things get better for you. nt

[Dash87]

11. It's hard.

You don't have to have everything figured out right now.

Graduating college wasn't just a new chapter for me. It was a whole new book. You'll eventually find your niche, but it takes time.

I graduated a couple of years ago.

[Phentex]

12. I'm sorry...

I like the advice others have given. I feel like you need something fresh and new in your life to bring back your get-up-and-go outlook on life.

[dawg]

13. It's overwhelming, isn't it?

My advice would be to take things one day at a time. Your life is shitty right now. But, each day, try to do at least one little thing that gives you pleasure. Even if it's just watching TV or reading a book.

And while you do that thing, be mindful of your enjoyment. For that matter, be mindful of everything in the "now" that pleases you. Notice how good the warm water feels on your skin in the shower, how pleasing it is to crunch into a mouthful of your breakfast cereal, and stop to think about the fact that someone on this Earth loves you and cares about you (even if it's just us lounge rats).

Don't worry too much about the future. There is a smart man who will be making all the choices that will improve your life for you. His name is "future" Gravitycollapse, and he's no dummy. In fact, he's even a little smarter than you. Whenever a good opportunity arises to improve your condition, he'll be right on it. Trust that guy. He knows what he's doing.