“I was laid off while pregnant, so I lost my potential 6 month maternity leave and FMLA and medical insurance.”

I’m a generalist brand designer who can code and build websites and AI tools. I’ve been actively applying daily for a year with 800+ applications deep, adjusting my portfolio and resume for ATS again and again with custom resumes or cover letters, listening to webinars and resources, career coach, state unemployment coach, learning new skills each month, connecting with old clients, getting recommendations internally, marketing myself, but only a handful of interviews and no freelance work clients.

I was laid off while pregnant, so I lost my potential 6 month maternity leave and FMLA (job security while on medical leave) and medical insurance. I’m the sole income for my household, with a daughter who has a chronic illness and needs daily prescriptions and monitoring.

I was self employed for 10 years (also during COVID) and had a baby during that time, so I’m no stranger to hard work and being resilient. It doesn’t make it any easier. I’m just doing the best I can to adapt, learn new strategies, and keep praying.

I’ve been living off of savings and draining all my retirement.

Unemployment has run out. I’m living day to day, eating only because of SNAP and WIC. I’m trying to sell anything I own to pay bills, and keep applying to jobs, trying to get freelance work, even entry level remote work.

I live 60-90 miles from any sort of work with an infant and child that needs daily care, so remote work is necessary. I’m trying to keep my credit up and avoid bankruptcy.

Unfortunately I think this is only the beginning of the Great AI Depression.