posted Thu, 08/13/2026 - 10:05
215
+ 3 Got laid off last week and fell way off the wagon
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I work in construction so it's kind of expected but it's the first time for me losing a job since I started working 14 years ago. Finance wise I'll be ok, but man I feel like a loser without a job. I should've been using this time to focus on the gym but I've been binge eating like an asshole and drank a couple 6 packs. Really need a kick in the ass and some motivation but it's hard to find any right now. Any advice would be appreciated
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Did you develop any skills over the years where you could start your own gig? Depending on the area, construction is still booming. Take the relationships you made and offer services. It’s scary but you may make more than you ever thought. If your area is dead, look where data centers are being built. They can’t find enough workers. DC is insane right now.
I'm licensed in my state in my trade, been doing it 14 years. I really don't want to travel around the country for work man I think I got into the wrong business lol. Working for myself is definitely something I need to look into though.
A week long bender? What is this, your first mid life crisis? amateur...
Take a breather, this is an opportunity to focus on yourself and do what you want. Maybe focus on building your own business, sounds like you got the cushion to sustain the harder parts of it. Or go do some man shit like Nova suggested. The world is yours bro
One of many lol that's my problem, just feels weird not having a purpose every day. I need to focus back on the gym and wait this slowdown out
Chop wood, Carry water.
Focus your days around training and going to the gym, getting extra meals and protein in. Train for longer in the gym around 1.5 to 2 hours if you normally do an hour. On rest days make the use of the free time to get in as much nutrition as possible and extra sleep, because those are the big recovery aids that you are normally missing if you work in construction all day. You should find you can train much harder and with more drive. Whats probably happened is you have fallen into a rut along with the drinking and your metabolism has slowed down - making you feel lethargic and demotivated. Once you get back in the gym and give yourself a kickstart and adrenaline rush you will be fine again. All drink will do is cause you to lose muscle and kill your happiness in the end - even if it feels like a quick fix and enjoyable in the beginning.
You nailed it man, just need to get back to it. Even a few days doing nothing is enough for it all to fall apart.
Here is a couple of suggestions or for you. Many states have dropped the requirements for teaching in public schools. GED and the willingness to stay awake and stay off drugs plus 5k for a certification and you are in. Then there Is ICE. You get to deport some of the people that you worked with so maybe even get your job back. Next time join a union and limit your Tren use to Winter layoffs.
Ice would be cool for sure. I'm already so invested in this career though I'm not sure I want to start over. Was making 64/hr. Union is slower than non union unfortunately. Not on tren just really depressed
Are you union already? Just transfer into a different local and chase the work. I'm Union crane operator here and Midwest is booming.
Non union, I was in before about 9 years ago though. Last time I looked there was over 1200 journeyman waiting on a call for the major local here. I really think the war is going to cause a major recession with the cost of material going so high.
I agree with you with the recession assessment. It's coming. i think depending on the part of the country you live in will dictate the severity of personal impact though.
If you were making $61/hr non union and getting $1200/wk unemployment, I'd have to guess you live on one of the coasts.
Might be time to GTFO there.
All in high demand in the middle of the country. Total package wages are more than $61/hr.
There's also tons of plant shutdown/turnaround work going on across the country. It's 100% travel work 7/12's, so all you have time for is work/meal prep/gym, so it's perfect for shitheads like us. In fact I just came off a 5 week turnaround bringing home 4700/wk after taxes.
So the work is out there. Just gotta go n get it.
Hey bro I’m in the midwest also. You got any info you can share through pm?
You gotta find something to do, sounds like youre just bored eating. Try something like Doordash or Grubhub while you look for the next job.
OR,, Head to Lowes or Home Depot and wait around the commercial area LOL
I'm getting 1200 a week for unemployment lol can't fuck it up doing door dash. You're right though need to get out of the house and do something. Work is definitely dryed up out here for awhile though