Emotion: anxiety
Problem: job crisis
Situation: I have lost my job, and my entire industry has been shut down due to Covid-19, and I am struggling to find work that is safe for me to do from home.

assistant: Hey, how are you doing?

user: Not the best, but I'm surviving. hello?

assistant: By surviving, it is more of a personal situation or an outside dilemma affecting you. is it*

user: I just haven't been able to find any work. I guess that is an outside dilemma, but being this behind on bills and feeling this helpless to change my situation has negatively impacted my mood.

assistant: I see what you mean. Finding work in this environment can be stressful as well. In any case, I can say that a good way to start is to account for all transactions you make.

user: I have already been budgeting extensively, the issue is I can't make enough to cover my basic expenses, no matter how much I cut them

assistant: Are you also pressed for time? Time management can be a predicament as well.

user: I have lots of free time, just waiting for unemployment to respond to my claims, applying for jobs online, and trying services like mturk to earn what I can from home in the meantime. I spend a good portion of my day trying to apply for everything I can and fixating on mturk tasks to make me feel like I'm accomplishing something

assistant: Wow, it's slightly uncanny the way our situations are similar. For someone who is also not in the best place financially and just making the bare minimum, it can feel hopeless sometimes. I know you are feeling stressed at the moment, but I've realized focusing on the long term helps ease the pressure of current stressors.

user: I get to a point in my day where it feels like I've done everything I can for that day, and then I just have to try not to get too stir crazy.

assistant: I feel that if you can focus on using your extra time as an investment into yourself (whether by reading, picking up a hobby, or working out), you can feel more accomplished and at ease with what you are doing in life.

user: I've been trying to look ahead, but this year has already set me back so much from my intended career path that it's frustrating. I just want my life back. That is good advice. I have been doing a lot more art during this time.

assistant: Being progressive is difficult, but is one of the things in life which compound very easily. I believe many aspects in life are connected and that improving in some parts improves you as a whole

user: Some days it's tempting to just do nothing and wait for it all to be over, but I feel better when I accomplish something for the day

assistant: And if these "improvements" can also make you money/increase your worth/ease your mind, then that can be called a success. In my opinion atleast.

user: I wish someone was interested in buying my art! That would be a huge confidence boost

assistant: Yeah, but imagine how it would if you had days like that knowing it isn't a bad thing to relax. You have already put in the work in being comfortable before, allowing to enjoy your time however way you wanted. Looks like you already have an interest which can help you in many ways in life. That's really good.

user: yes, I miss being able to actually relax. When you are financially behind it feels like everything is just making it worse. thank you for chatting with me and helping me earn the bonus for this task!