GoodEnough
Hello Friends, Family, and Strangers alike.
I am no different than any other starving artist, creative youth, struggling millennial, etc.
I do not wish to misinform those who may choose to support me, but I must exhaust all of my options.
—
For three years and counting, my personal
experience in this world has become challenging, and that is an understatement. With terrible credit history, mostly due to a compromised identity by a relative, and ongoing medical expenses of my sick father, often misbilled to myself as we share the same name. I have found myself unable to dig myself up and out of debt.
I immediately began working two full-time jobs, both in retail management, averaging 80-100 hrs a week. Working double shifts 2-3 days in a row with zero days off. Now, of course these choices were mine, and I understand it did not have to be this way, but I come from a ‘below poverty level’ household that has experienced the misfortune of displacement on more than one occasion. I, at the time, made more money than my support system, so asking for help has never been an option.
Over those years, I burnt out. Time and attendance cost me both my jobs eventually, unable to wake up on time to embark on my hour+ bus/train rides, and make it to work..falling asleep on my third shift of the day.
Here we are, in this god-awful pandemic. I have less than nothing financially. To be transparent, my bank account is nearing a balance of -$300.00 due to overdraft fees, but it’s a balance I’m far too familiar with as I transfer money into
the negative just so I may have funds for food and transit to my current workplace.
It’s easy to feel guilty asking for support, but I’m doing better at reminding myself that we are all on different paths. We persevere; the show goes on.
With gains, I will repair credit ticks through paying off outstanding balances, finally paying my utility bills I haven’t been able to support fully for about a year now, and get caught up on my rent now months overdue. Alas, once my home is in order, I wish to pursue mental health counseling/resources as I now struggle to cope.
The journey awakens the soul, but we all deserve a break.
With Everlasting Gratitude,
Tré Torres
the Starbucks guy
