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I'm lucky to have never been in that situation so I cant give any advice other than stay strong! You can do it.
Hopefully everything works out well for you. Xx

When I was working at a clothing retail store, I had good days and bad days--per the usual. The worst day I ever had though, was a couple months before I quit. I wasn't even scheduled for a full shift, it was only like four hours, but on the way to work I just couldn't fathom coming out of the day okay. As I was driving, I started having problems breathing, then I couldn't see too well through the tears in my eyes. I bawled for a few moments before getting my crap together long enough to get to work--as upset as I was, I didn't fancy crashing my car.

As soon as I put my car in park and looked at the front doors, I just broke down all over again. I cried and choked and sobbed and tried desperately to get myself under control. I'm not the type of person to lay my feelings out on the table and I had a moment where I hated myself for being so pathetic. It was miserable and when I realized I couldn't stop my mental breakdown, I called my dad.

I can't remember the exact words he said to me, but I do remember that just talking to him and hearing his voice calmed me down. I took several deep breaths and gathered my things and headed into the store. Of course my face was red and my eyes were messed up and being me, everyone stopped to ask if I was okay, which made me want to cry all over again, because at least in that dump my coworkers were my greatest support. We all had the same problem: the managers. They understood my pain, and they told me to stay in the back until I felt okay enough to come out. They covered for me and I could never thank them enough.

When I finally got myself under control for a third time, I went out onto the floor and mindlessly went about my work. It was a typical day, but every time I bent over, I felt the congestion in my head which reminded me why I had been upset in the first place. It was a vicious cycle.

Two hours into my short shift, my dad stopped by on his way home from work. I just about lost it again. I hugged him as hard as I could and he hugged me so hard I couldn't breath--but I didn't need anything more than I needed him in that moment.

There was no special occasion at work that day. No big boss, no big changes, no inventory, there was nothing. Getting up and driving into work I just lost myself somewhere along the way, but it was a total game changer. I finally realized that I didn't have to stay there. I didn't have to put up with the belittling, the unpaid overtime, the micromanagement, the unacceptable expectations, or being taken for granted. Earlier in the year, my managers approached me about a promotion, to take on more responsibilities and when I did, I got a ten cent raise (when only a year earlier, the position I was given was getting a dollar or better). Which, yes, was better than nothing, but then minimum wage went up and I was making the same wage as the newb they hired off the street a week ago.

I'm not a greedy person, but that felt like a slap in the face.

So, long story short, my breakdown was a revelation. I'm now a security guard with great coworkers and a really good boss, and when I tell people 'no' they actually have to listen. I moved out into my own house (at the barn where I sent my filly for training, no less!) and I've finally applied for school (if I pass the riding exam I'll be going into equine reproduction!). I'm the happiest I've been in years, so I say just do it. Move on to better things. :)

P.S. My husband worked a job right after college that was so awful, he had to take blood pressure medication in his early 20s. He literally went to the ER one day because his mom thought he was having a heart attack. Chest pain, could not breathe, arm tingling. Nope, it was an anxiety attack. This was his first career job, and he had car payments/student loans, so he stuck it out. He got fired for mouthing off and within weeks his BP was back to normal. He hasn't taken BP meds since then, and now he has a nicer job environment, has travelled across the country, and makes more than double what he did at that cruddy job.

Good for you! :D I second what Alohomora said about sending out applications, don't feel overwhelmed! 2 a day is great, and maybe you'll find something awesome in a couple days/weeks that wasn't already posted!

Guys, next week I start a trial/training period at a horse farm! If everything works out, they want to have me work full-time starting in Janurary. I'll be getting $10 an hour or $100 a day (work time depends on how long I take, a full day could be 12 hours or it could be 5 either way if you do a full day you get $100 regardless) I know it might not be a ton of money to some people, but to me (poor college girl) its a lot better than I was doing.

Not only that, but its a step into my lifetime career. I want to work with horses, and this will be my first long-term real job with horses.

Im so excited, and I pray it all works out. I cannot wait. Theres 30 horses there to care for, but I have volunteered at a farm with 35-40 horses so that environment isnt new to me.

Now I just have to live off my savings until Janurary lol.

Pray for me guys! Im going to try so hard! :D

I am so happy for you!

That sounds great! I'm so happy you found a job like that. It sounds like an amazing opportunity.

Congrats on the new job - sounds hard work but hopefully a new start and I wish you all the best :)