Losing my mind working mundane jobs due to lack of qualifications and can’t see a way out - what do I do?

Education & Qualifications

Not sure if I should mark this as Education or Advice, so I do apologise.

Anyway, hello everyone!

I’m really lost on what to do, I’m 27M and from the UK. I never really did well at school - recently was diagnosed with ADHD and didn’t have a good home life which played a huge part. I managed to get through college and even university but I never got my Maths & English GCSE.

I have a degree in music (yes I know awful choice but this was pre-pandemic) and that’s about it. I’ve been working hospitality jobs for 10 years and I’m at my wits end. My situation is I’ve essentially backed myself into a corner. I have rent and bills etc so that rules out an apprenticeship (also lacking the GCSE’s) and trying to pivot into a desk job is nearly impossible in the current market. But I also don’t know what to do, I’d love to learn a trade but I absolutely cannot afford to take the low wage even for a year.

I hate sounding like a doomer but it’s destroyed my soul. I need out but everything is too expensive or just out of reach because I don’t know someone to get me in.

What on earth do I do?

Thank you

TL:DR - need a new career, lacking required GCSE’s due to disability and home life. Don’t see a way out and no idea where to start

Posted Nov 10, 2025, 12:09 PM UTC

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