All of the following -- and the time spent writing it-- is contributed with only one possible goal: to help you. I don't give a damn about karma, I give a damn about you, even though I don't know you. So, don't take this as mean in any way... I'm trying to help.

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I've been in a similar spot. The problem wasn't that I quit my job (in that instance I was laid off when a startup collapsed)... it was that I quit my life.

Whatever plans you've had for the last year, you didn't throw yourself into them. In those four months, were you looking for another job? Were you freelancing? Whatever your plan was for making money, if it didn't work, did you find another? Or did you quit it? If it was marginally working, why didn't you ramp it up more?

You had one high paying job, you can get another.

At the same time, you have to believe in yourself. The problem is, I think maybe you think of yourself as a quitter.

You gotta recognize that last job was a bunch of assholes. A hot startup, or a team effort where you had equity? Maybe something like those hours could make sense. But not having equity, that's just abuse. You've got to accept the fact that that job was worth quitting. (if you haven't already.)

Sucks being at your parents, right? I'm at my parents right now too. I sometimes hang with them when starting a new company... but we get along well and they're supportive. Your father is probably trying to get you motivated, just using bad form in doing it.

He's got the right idea though. IF you're angry at him, let that motivate you.

You're 20. I'm more than twice your age. I promise you, things will be a lot better soon.

Figure out what YOU can do, that doesn't involve anyone else. Do that. Make a little money, but make it consistently.

Then come up with something else and expand it.

I used to buy things from Woot and then sell them on Amazon.com for a profit. I did ok with that and started looking for other places for supply. I did this when I was burned out on programming and wanted to make some money.

Whatever skills you've got, use them to make money. Don't worry about whether it was a mistake or not-- that isn't known yet. You've lost a year... that sucks. DON'T LOSE ANOTHER ONE!

Screw last year. What are you going to do this year? How are you going to make more this month than you did last month. And the month after that? Just focus on that.

I think thaumaturgy did a better job than me, and I agree with what he said.

One thing that's brought me a lot of comfort over the years-- I've always known I could get a job at McDonalds. No matter what, I had that to fall back on. IF you need to fall back on something like that, remember, there's absolutely no shame in slinging fries. People act like there is, but those are people who are lazy.

There's no shame in any job.

And if the job sucks, work to find a better one.

If you're off the path you need to be, work to get back on it... but if you need to leave your parents house, sling fries. Then use that to get a slightly better crappy job.

Work your way forward. If you're doing better right now that you would if you were slinging fries, well, you're well ahead of the game. Just keep working on that.