This year I decided to leave hospitality and retail in the dust, as I overworked myself almost to death for a dead-end, profit-driven job. I used to study at university full-time and I’d work countless hours in between school to keep myself afloat since my parents live far away and they’ve overworked themselves, too, with little money to show for it. The money they earned went to a mortgage and also a lot of booze.
I always had an intense work-ethic out of survival, and always took the initiative to learn more and make myself seen, in hopes of growing in the business, despite having that leftist chip on my shoulder regarding being exploited financially by numerous small businesses – cafes, trades, even real estate. I’ve gone absolutely nowhere in my life with my attempts, except for jumping job to job.
This time, I thought I’d be passionate about a hairdressing apprenticeship, only to find out that I’m just a glamourised floor-sweeper, who gets paid fuck-all, and a toilet for the senior stylists to shit in. I want out, completely. I always find different career-paths in hopes of enjoying something, but it never happens.
I’ve also worked for fast-food franchises and bigger retail chains (and in Australia, if you’re lucky, 9-10 times you won’t be financially exploited, because companies want to be perceived as “a great place to work” just for the image). Regardless of these entry-level big companies almost always paying me right, I still always end up over-working myself underneath immense pressure of high-tempered, money hungry bosses. I started getting into the habit of quiet quitting, but it feels futile because it takes a toll on my self esteem, as I feel so useless.
How can I never work ever again? Going on the dole sounds so enticing, but I don’t want to be more impoverished than I already am, after losing most of my money to rent, therapy, meds, and also wanting to enjoy my life when I have that little time outside of work. Is the entire workforce doomed? I think I know the answer, but I’d just like to know what you think.