I'm sorry to hear things have been rough.

Do you ever do freelance work?

I am also in a position where I can lose my job at any given moment. And I also have to move post-argument with my mother. Yes, things are tough, but one must stay focused.

Big hugs! I'm sorry things are rough for you right now. I feel like my year has been the same way. I make an effort to focus on the positive, and then the universe decides to smack me around a little more. Here's hoping things look up soon!

Sometimes, its worth it just to take a little bit to cry and feel sorry for yourself. Everyone sorta thinks we should skip that step. *hug* I'm thinkin' of you.

EP-
i am sorry that you are going through some rough times right now. i totally know how it is when the one person you want to just be there for you is so far away..but i believe that you are right, this will make your relationship stronger in the long run.
i hope things start looking up for you soon. i know it will.

I know things look rough now but it will turn around. Don't give up hope.

Hugs. You are not a whiner! Blogging is therapy and we are all here for you. You are an amazing girl and amazing things happen to amazing girls. Just wait... things will turn around.

I'm sorry the season is rough right now, but you'll get through it stronger than anything. It just takes some time for things to fall in place. Life has a way of keeping us on our toes, huh?

You're so right, sometimes it's so self-soothing to just dwell a little on the bad things, just for a bit.

Where all have you looked at job-wise? All local, or anything closer to the boy?

I found it much easier to be happy-go-lucky when I didn't have to worry about things like bills and working long shifts and taking care of other living creatures on a regular basis. When my biggest dilemma was whether or not to get out of bed for an 8:00 am class! Not that I don't think it's great that you're striving to be more positive, just don't beat yourself up for feeling the strain that life puts on you and needing some time to just be sad. That's life. We need the valleys to help us appreciate the peaks!

EP! I know the feeling. Hang in there...it can only get better. And as everyone keeps telling, it will all turn out ok.

Is there any way that you can do a month to month lease so that way you aren't stuck there?

Keep your head up, I know exactly how you feel. My year is almost up at work and I'm just not sure what to do with myself. I do know that I want to move but I have no clue as to where to move to and if I would be able to find a job that I enjoyed and paid me enough money. I'm just trying to get a plan together and go with the flow.

Hang in there...you are not alone!

I'm sorry you are going through such a rough patch. Make sure to network, network, network!

And I hear ya with the boy being so far away stuff. Stay strong!

I don't think giving up on happy-go-lucky is a part of being a grown-up. I think it's just harder because the older you get, the more responsibility there is. I'm convinced that it's all about balance, but I have yet to figure out how to do that. Sometimes I feel like being a 20something is a lot like going through second adolescence because there is just so much that feels out of my control. When you're a kid, you can't wait to be an adult. And then when you actually ARE and adult, you're still waiting to FEEL like one.

Rough patches are the worst but I promise it will get better. In the meantime, I'll be thinking of you xo

sometimes, when this is happening in my life...i just let myself feel awful - i listen to sad music and sulk. and it makes me feel better :)

* big hugs

i think we all go through those rough patches at some point. things will turn around you just have to wait it out. sending positive vibes your way!

Let's look at the facts. Family stuff weighs heavy on you. Job situation is precarious. Lease is about to run out. And things are stressed with the boy, in part due to the distance between you. I know this might be completely irresponsible, but why not skip signing a lease. Quit the job. Leave the family behind. And go spend some time with the boy. If you can't find your line of work there, do something you'd never do otherwise (like working in a coffee shop). It sounds risky (and it is!). But, that kind of change might be just what you need to get out of this funk.

there IS more to life than that. Of course there is!!! You just can't see it now, but things will & have to get better.

I wish I didn't know how that all feels, but I do, and it will pass. The rough seas will calm and you'll be left looking at the ocean, remembering how beautiful everything really is.

The industry, however, is a sinking ship as you said, and in time, mostly all of us will be left tredding water, waiting for the boat to save us.

...But enough with analogies. To have a job in photojournalism, you have to think through the lens. Maybe it's time to attempt expanding that. Try photographing a wedding or an event where people pay you for the pictures you take. If you have nothing else right now to lean on if your job slips out from underneath you, it's a good time to look at that as a possibility (unless you have no interest in that, then just ignore me, ha).

Remember your previous post? All things happen for a reason, and maybe it's hard to see that through the crappy stuff right now, but I have enough faith to say that you'll get through it - maybe not quickly, but eventually - and everything will be sunny and cheery again. Hopefully sooner than later.

Here's hoping your rough patch smooths out!

How long do you think you and your boy will have to be long distance. I empathize on that one - that is tough.

HUGS!

Keep plowing through it... things will get better. If you ever need to chat or vent, I'm here :)

things will get better. no matter what ends up happening, nothing is forever, you know? have faith. you're a beautiful person and you'll figure it all out. no doubt.

You need a beer!

or maybe just a delicious ice cream cone would help. Anyway, I'm sending you my good vibes as well. Hopefull it helps.

I'm sorry things are so tough (especially the lay-off worries, that's awful). Sending good vibes your way!

I know what it feels like and the only advice I can give you is that everyone goes through times like these, and while they're horrible to go through, things will look up again in the future. *hug*

Oh EP! I am so sorry things are bad for you at the moment. It totally sucks, and I wish I could do more than just offer some words of encouragement.

Sending you loads of hugs and positive thoughts.

Gosh, I wish we were friends in real life, so I could just give you a hug. I wish there was something I could say to make things better. This is definitely a challenging time for you right now. It's hard enough not feeling like you are in control of your own life, then throw family drama into the mix and things seem unbearable. You are such a strong person, and things will get better! You know everything happens for a reason, but sometimes it is so hard to see what that reason is. There will be a time you'll look back on this period and either laugh or just recognize how hard you've worked to get to where you want to be, and then you'll appreciate it ever more.
Just keep having faith, and know that you always have a friend in California!

Oh Erin, I'm sorry you're going through a tough time right now. It's even more difficult that all the big things (job and apartment etc.) seem to be up in the air.

I hate not knowing, and/or not having control over the important things in my life. Hugs, and I'm here if you need someone to listen!

Also? Love the black and pink you got goin' on around here. It's been awhile since I've actually visited the site.

Keep your chin up, girl. It'll all turn around.