I’m 21 and I honestly feel like everything is falling apart at once
I don’t even know where to start because this past week has been one thing after another.
I’m 21, finishing up college, and I’ve been trying so hard to get my life together. I’m currently retaking an Excel class because I failed it before, and it’s been a nightmare. My MacBook had water damage, Excel Online was missing features I needed, and I spent hours trying to complete assignments while borrowing other people’s laptops just to finish my work.
On top of that, I was supposed to get my SORA security certification this weekend so I could start applying for full-time security jobs. I already got fingerprinted, but I couldn’t afford the course and certification this week, so now I have to wait until I get paid.
The frustrating part is that my dad has been unemployed for around three months, so money has been really tight. My paycheck is basically going toward the certification.
One of my closest friends has a birthday dinner next week, and now I probably can’t even go because I need every dollar for my certification. It sucks because I was actually excited about seeing everyone, and now I feel left out over something I can’t really control.
Meanwhile, my car has been stressing me out too. I got lost trying to go on a solo hiking trip because Google Maps sent me to the wrong place, Apple CarPlay kept disconnecting, and then a few days later my car stalled while I was driving. It eventually started again, but now I’m questioning how much longer this thing is going to last.
I’m also trying to leave my current restaurant job because it’s honestly draining. My goal is to work full-time in security while maybe picking up a part-time job somewhere like Costco. Long-term I want to work in business marketing or advertisement some day, so security is mainly something that gives me better pay and stability while I finish school.
It just feels like every time I make progress, something else happens. A class issue. Money issue. Car issue. Something.
The only thing keeping me going is knowing that if I can get this certification, pass my class, and land a better job, things could look completely different in a few months.
Has anyone else ever had one of those periods where everything seemed to hit at once? How did you stay motivated when it felt like life kept moving the finish line?
Posted Jul 11, 2026, 9:01 PM UTC