2 of 139

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

I could feel my until-then liberal views being reversed, and found myself beginning to agree with less tolerant people about the layabouts and hangers-on who treat the welfare state as a lifestyle, and not the safety net it was meant to be.

I applied for all sorts of jobs: managerial; editorial; proofreading; administrative - all of which I could do, but I was either too experienced, not experienced enough, or it seemed, at 37 years old, too old. Trapped.

I managed to get a job. Minimum wage, incredibly poor pay. I was having to start again. Fortunately I had some freelance work still to fall back on, for some extra money, but it was still a struggle. Debtors harassed me constantly for more money that I didn't have, and the landlord chased me constantly for rent arrears owed. The local housing authority failed to process my application for housing benefit accurately and it took me six months to argue with them that they owed me more. Eventually, I was able to research my rights and read them the riot act - and then they jumped. I received the back payments I was entitled to, but it was too late: the landlord had already issued me with an eviction notice. More sludge to work through. I found another home - a better one, as it turned out. Then I received a real kick in the teeth: a so-called friend who owed me a substantial sum of money through a business agreement, which could have solved all my problems throughout this agonising period, disappeared. I never got the money back.

But slowly, life began to turn around.

Looking back I wonder how I ever survived that period. Of course, family and friends did all they could to help, my father especially. Around five years of my life were utter hell, culminating in my walking out of my employment having been bullied by a greedy, tightfisted boss who had lied to me about my prospects to keep me in my job for as long as possible. Broken promises, deceit, two years of my life gone to waste because he would not do what he'd said he would. Standing up, grabbing my belongings and walking out of the door to that employer, with no savings, no job to go to, and with rent and bills to pay, was the most assertive action I have ever taken. I had had enough, and refused to put up with it any longer. Again, my father stepped in to help, and my landlords were fantastic about it.

And now? Well, very soon after walking out of my job I went into Google and typed "proofreader immediate start London" into the search box. Two years later, I am working for the best employer I have ever had, and my future has never looked so promising. As a person, I feel stronger, and less inclined to work myself into the ground for no reward. Life now is good.

After all that, throw anything at me and I'll just hit it right back at you. I don't take that kind of crap any more.

Learn more about this author, David Chaproniere.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about When life hits you hard?
We want to hear your view. Write now!