If you are concerned about the future, or have already felt the impact of the current state of things, I want to tell you about my "started from the bottom" story (short version)

Seven years ago I was living in the Chicago suburbs.... in a 2001 Ford Explorer that I bought for $1000. What little I had was in a public storage close to work. This situation was the result of a relationship with a single mother that I decided to end for my own mental health. Yes, living in the POS SUV was the better option in my opinion. I left her with the apartment we had for the sake of her kid. My shower was Planet Fitness. I ate MCDs oatmeal every morning, and used that bathroom to groom myself before work. I slept in the back of the truck with the seats folded forward. I'm sure you can imagine how cold the winters were. Sometimes the police would find me in the truck during the middle of the night, and just told me I had to go somewhere else. I changed clothes either at the gym or in my storage locker.

I worked two jobs, one as a logistics manager making $55k and part time as a meat cutter at $15 hourly. I saved what I could, however eating every meal out can get expensive. I did this for about 14 months until I was able to save up, and used a friend's address to apply for an apartment. Fast forward to now, and I've relocated to Florida, got into construction logistics, and now live comfortably on my own with a car I love (2017 Impreza) and in a great community. I am well prepared for the pandemic, sidearm included.

The point I'm trying to make here is that during my time living homeless, there were moments that I asked myself why I was even trying to dig out of it. Something in my brain wanted to prove everyone wrong, including my ex, that I was worth something. Then I realized that proving it to myself was the only thing that mattered. So,

No TP? You will find another way to clean your ass.

Lost your job? I understand. It will get better. The human brain has a survival mechanism that is fucking powerful... I believe many have not even had to use it before, but it's there.

It will get better if you make it better, believe me.