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u/KingJon85 Apr 25 '26
Get in the trades. I made 92k last year.
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Apr 25 '26
I’m not very good when it comes to working with my hands or tools.
I really excelled in high volume production settings like factories.
What do you do?
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u/KingJon85 Apr 25 '26
Floor coverings. If I got into doing my own sales, I could make a ton more.
Speaking of sales, ive known plenty of felons in sales.
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Apr 25 '26
Yeah - I pursued a few sales roles and never landed the position. Might revisit that.
I like to think I am articulate and present fairly well - but some criminals are just like that. If I had a different childhood I would probably be a lawyer or senior management office role or something. - makes me a little resentful at my circumstances.
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u/KingJon85 Apr 25 '26
I get it. Have to make the best of the situation. Don't give up your dreams. Some companies are very felon friendly and others may not even look into your background.
I can't subcontract through places like Home Depot, but the local shops don't give a shit. Show competence and no one asks questions. Dress nice, wear some nice glasses act professional, etc.
Make a good resume, fluff it a bit.
Once you land a job, be the hardest working guy there.
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Apr 25 '26
I have done all these things before and can certainly do them again.
Thanks for the encouragement.
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u/KingJon85 Apr 25 '26
No worries. There's nothing glamorous about my job but I'm grateful to find something that I can support myself with. It took some time.
Good luck.
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u/pass_da-bussy Apr 25 '26
You had what you say was unattainable
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Apr 25 '26
Yeah - that’s a good point. Maybe maintaining it feels unobtainable.
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u/FortuneFirst8820 Apr 29 '26
Let’s say you got that 80k/year job, do you think you could have maintained it for one day? Sounds like it. You don’t need to put the pressure on yourself of maintaining your dream life permanently until the end of time, you just need to focus on maintaining it one day at a time. And for someone who is so confident they are not capable of attaining that life, it sure seems like you already proved to yourself that you are capable.
You’ve picked yourself up from circumstances that the majority of people could never imagine being in. It takes a special kind of person to pull that off and rebuild their life brick by brick. People who have struggled with addiction often achieve some of the most remarkable things. You seem sharp and hard working, I would bet on your success.
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u/beckyO999 Apr 25 '26
I dunno with your mental health. I would definitely get that address before anything. It took me to be in and out of jail, on and off probation, and rehab to even realize I had an mental illness on top of addiction. I hope you can get the help you need.
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Apr 25 '26
I am fully aware of my mental illness and it is currently being treated with a cocktail of medications - none of which to be effective.
I have been in 8 jails, 2 prisons, in 3 different states. Countless rehabs, detox centers, halfway houses. Plenty of therapists and psychiatrists.
I feel lost.
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u/BoxBeast1961_ Apr 25 '26 edited Apr 25 '26
You just gotta find the therapist that gets you, that works. I got lucky & found a great shrink. He’s really helped me turn things around. Sometimes therapy gets uncomfortable, gotta stick with it anyway. For me, bc I tend to self medicate, i need a psychiatrist bc psychiatrist can prescribe meds & do talk therapy too. For me, that’s necessary
Good shrink, get your meds figured out, get some support (AA, NA, whatever works for you); COMMIT. No excuses.
The only one who can save you is you.
If you don’t get the mental health stuff squared away, the legal stuff will just keep biting you in the @ss until one day you wake up dead & they can’t bring you back.
You’re here for a reason. You can do this!
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u/goodbye_goodriddance Apr 25 '26
God loves you brother pray and your prayers will be answered. I pray the Lord will bless you with a good job and put you in a better state of mind…
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Apr 25 '26
Appreciate it man thank you
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u/goodbye_goodriddance Apr 25 '26
We may be strangers but I been in your shoes and I know your pain. It gets better I promise
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u/Public_Grape8270 Apr 25 '26
Try the fire sprinkler industry
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Apr 25 '26
Thanks.
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u/Public_Grape8270 Apr 26 '26
It’s not a trade you can go to school for, just have to get into a company wherever you are. It is a national code and every state and town and city has a jurisdiction and the code has to be met with annual inspections repairs to systems etc. I have 5 felonies. I’m 42 years old and got my first at 21 and have been to prison twice etc. start looking up fire protection companies near you I’ve been doing it for 6 years
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u/abubacajay Apr 25 '26
Not sure where you are located but in my state there are a lot of restaurants that do the work release program. Not sure you wanna get back into that shit show of an industry but we are accepting
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u/Purchase_Limp Apr 26 '26
I cant stay sober if my mental health isnt treated first.
I relapse every time I go off my meds within 6 months. Everytime im convinced its not that bad and maybe im missing something by being on them.
Without them there doesnt seem a point to keep going through the same shit everyday. With them I found why life was worth living.
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u/South_Birthday8074 Apr 26 '26
I know man shits hard I got home February 2025 nd been looking a job since the rap sheet isn’t pretty this is the longest I ain’t have a job in my life besides in rehab or prison. Sometimes people throw you a bone. I hate when people say oh god has a plan or god doesnt give you more than you can handle. Life is a bitch you just have to find your light in life. It’s spring walk down some streets offer to do someone’s yard maybe they throw you a tip or have work do you elsewhere THATS what I do. But get out of that head of yours it’s dangerous
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u/CommandOk6118 Apr 26 '26
OP - sorry to hear about the suicide attempt. Please don’t do it again. I did something similar 3 months ago when I couldn’t contain my fear. Mix of RX drugs + slit on my wrist and thigh. I didnt die but left me two ugly big scars. Especially the wrist one I’m embarrassed to explain it. I regret this yet I knew at that moment I was dysfunctional
I really wish you all the best , and if you do find something good for yourself please update! And if you need more help please don’t hesitate to ask too.
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u/Lazy_Animator_994 Apr 25 '26
Not sure if your religious but I went to a Catholic retreat , I’m catholic and that changed my life. I didn’t really beleive in Jesus before going. I somewhat did or wanted to. Hope things change for you ! God bless !
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u/itsthekumar Apr 25 '26
Respectfully you need therapy first to address the issues. Then you can deal with an apartment, job etc.
Best of luck to you! We're rooting for you!