Help. Lost all confidence.

[aloneinthenight]

I'm in a bit of a pit.

I had a relatively successful marketing until my son was diagnosed with cancer and died.

I then returned to work in the middle of lockdown so everything was all over the place.

I staggered along for a bit bit now the work has dried up. Everyone is struggling, everyone has tightened their budgets.

I don't remember how to find new clients. I don't remember how to actually do the thing I'm supposed to do.

I would give it all up and get a job but I can't seem to even get an interview either.

I'm in debt and worried, my energy levels and mental health are still poor and I feel very alone.

DH is employed but we need both our incomes and it's been 3 years really since I've earned properly.

I feel like things would be tough in these circumstances for anyone. But also I'm broken and I don't know what to do.

I would just like some encouraging words please.

I'm so sorry you lost your son. 💐

Just bumping this for you.

I am so sorry your son died. Most of us can only imagine the grief you are experiencing. I don’t have advice per se but please be kind to yourself. None of this is something you are doing wrong. It’s terrible circumstances and timing.

Are you actually well enough to be back at work? Have you spoken to your GP about how you are finding things?

The job market is rough out there. Do you want help and advice about how other people are going about returning to the job market, or actually would just some recognition and sympathy help?

So sorry for your loss. What industry are you in? And is it b2b or b2c?

I'm so sorry OP. 🫂 this sounds awful.

I'm also a Marketer. I've found a few freelance roles on LinkedIn! In fact I found 2 new clients this way who now have 2 billable days a week each.

They were advertised like normal jobs which was a bit strange!!

You can do this! I'm just starting up and struggling with MH and self esteem. I keep self sabotaging myself.

Message me if you need x

I've also struggled finding marketing employment. You're right about budgets. 😔 the salaries are so low where I am (marketing exec is NMW!)

I hate freelancing would love a permanent role

@aloneinthenight

Firstly I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It's totally understandable how you've felt so low with your bereavement and COVID and you won't be on your own in feeling like this.

I used to be self employed and I went to some local networking events that the local chamber of commerce did which were helpful and I got a fair bit of work from them.

I used to supplement my self employment with a paid job aswell I had a 12hr a week contract with a local supermarket (in theory it was 3 x 4hr shifts) but there was always extras if you wanted it and a lot of the supermarkets will be taking on temporary Christmas staff now so could that be an option to get some money coming in while you get back on your feet??

I really enjoyed it and made some nice friends and there was other self employed people in the same situation just working part-time to keep a regular income coming in.

You poor soul. Can you make a plan? List seven steps that you’ll take, say over the next year or six months.

Make step one a proper break, e.g. over all of October, here you might visit to your gp to talk about counselling, or spend time just walking in nature (even an urban park), or reading books to help you through, or watching films, or whatever would bring you some headspace and clarity. I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through. It will be ok. But you need some TLC, and some time to gather energy.

im also having a shit time finding work, but I’m not dealing with the loss of a child. Fwiw I’m finding some small freelance jobs, they do exist, and your background in marketing (if I read that rightly) will always be in demand. It sounds, understandably, as though your confidence and definitely your spirit has taken such a knock. Hugs.

Thank you everyone.

I need to give myself a bit of a break I think.

I feel like I've given myself time to recover, but actually just been getting into debt so I feel like I've run out of time.

I took ADs for a while and I have therapy, but it might be time to revisit.

It's just layers and layers of toughness at the moment.

I think I want sympathy, but also some practical tips on how on earth I decide what I want to do. I feel like I need to be passionate and enthusiastic to get a job or new client, but it's just don't have it in me.

My CV is not very standard so I'm not even getting interviewed.

I write a lot, and would live to do that more, but again the competition is tough.

I would like to do something different, but I don't know what to retrain in!

I'm just a bit lost and want to lie down.

Have a lie down @aloneinthenight

Where abouts in the country are you? Here we have small CIC's that help unemployed people get back into work (including career break people!) and we have some CICs that help new / returning self employed people find clients by providing mentoring and support.

How's your LinkedIn profile? X