I NEED to leave this place, but I feel trapped.
So I work two jobs, both part-time unfortunately, both in retail. One of them at a grocery store, another at a clothing store. The latter job is great: my coworkers are great (managers included - they're all brutally honest with me and have our backs), the hours - though odd - are consistent, and I'm constantly learning over there to the point where I can lead the place when my managers aren't around or are occupied with something. If foot traffic gets really busy during certain times of the year, overtime is on the table too. I didn't mention the fact that while there isn't anything full-time right now since they don't need that many full-time people, the rumor going around is that those opportunities will become available in the near future (the dots connect), so I'm hoping I can end up there full-time. I'd be taking on a crazy amount of hours there, but the work environment is amazing so I'd be happy to do it. I guess the only negative is that while the job is part-time, it also can fall under "seasonal" depending on their needs during the summer.
Then there's my other job at the grocery store. Not a bad gig, don't get me wrong, but I feel like I've hit my ceiling and I don't think it's a good fit for me at this point. Started as a cashier, and while I was great at that, I hated it. Switched departments, and this department wasn't bad, but there was way too much micromanaging going on and I was burnt out. I've switched departments again - the department I'm in now is the gig I've wanted for awhile, but my hours have taken a temporary hit, so now I got to figure out how to make up those lost hours. Leaving on good terms with my previous department and being one of this store's best cashiers before that will likely allow me to make up these hours. Between the lack of good fit (there was just way too much pressure on me at my previous department - this transfer allows me to take a reduced role by limiting how often I'm over there), reduced hours (I went from 30+ to 20-25, though I can likely build that up with ease and will make the effort to do so), and the fact I feel isolated over here (I'm not tight with anyone and feel like people aren't being honest with themselves here), I've come to the conclusion that I NEED to get out. This wasn't supposed to be a long-term job, and I don't expect it to be, but I didn't think it was possible for me to burn out here. This job's making me lose my patience, questioning a lot of things, and making me dread coming into work. It's not a toxic environment, fortunately, but it's just not a good fit for me anymore and it carries bad energy around me.
I've been trying to get out since the start of the year, but my problem is that the job opportunities around me are limited, especially since I don't have a car (I want one, but no one can teach me how to drive AND they're insisting that buying one is too pricey - which unfortunately they're likely correct about). The job opportunities I have applied for have called me back (some of them), but I never hear back from them afterwards. College isn't an option for me at the moment either. I've just questioned if I'm trapped in this job at this point. If this wasn't my main job, I'd keep it, but unfortunately it's the job I rely on for hours right now. The longer this goes on, the more frustrated I get. I just don't see a way out. I can keep my head up and try to maintain a positive attitude - and I do - but it gets harder the longer I'm trapped over here. I'm over it.
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 8:19 PM UTC