I had worked retail jobs through most of my 20s, Walmart and various small shops. Recently I was out of work and made ends meet through a day-labor program and was quickly hired onto a crew as an assistant Trim Carpenter for $17/hr.
Perhaps it was just the crew I was on, but the work was far less taxing. I mean, yes, there is a lot of heavy lifting and physical exertion involved in construction, but the work can be pleasant and there are a lot of periods where I could just chill or do some menial work. Staying moving around meant I never got sore feet by the end of a shift, and the best thing, being able to check my phone without a supervisor breathing down my back. Some days I would spend an entire shift sitting in the shade just shouting out shoe molding measurements for the Carpenter to cut.
Last year lumber prices skyrocketed and work dried up for a bit so I was laid off from that contractor, but I'd still be working for him if I had the opportunity.
I went my entire life thinking these jobs are for the “tough blue collar types” before trying one and realizing not only could I do the work, they treat you like an actual human on the job.