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Ask HN: How Do I Escape Homelessness After Rebuilding My Mental Health?
I never thought I’d be here—but I’ve hit a wall I can’t break through alone. I’m asking for help, advice, ideas—anything practical—to get off the streets and back into stability.In the last year, I lost my mother (cancer), my grandmother (old age), and went through a divorce. I spiraled into depression, ended up living out of my car, barely functioning.But I didn’t stay down. Through therapy, ketamine treatment, and building my own AI-assisted mental health tools (ChatGPT literally saved me), I’ve come out stronger, healthier, and ready to rebuild. My mental health is solid now—I’ve done the inner work.Here’s my situation:I’m living in my car, staying in cheap motels when I can afford it.I drive Lyft/Uber full-time, but my car needs new tires, insurance renewal, and a payment due—without it, I can’t work. $400 for tires, $200 for insurance, $290 for car payment..I have a desktop computer but nowhere stable to set it up and work.I’m going back to school soon for computer science, aiming for AI/ML work, but I need to survive until student aid or inheritance (both delayed) arrives.Here’s my question: What would YOU do in my situation to break the cycle? How can I create a stable base, get back to programming/freelancing, and stop just surviving?I’m willing to work. I know I can earn 3-4x more doing freelance tech, but I can’t do that from a car.I’ve thought about renting office space, finding roommates, even setting up a GoFundMe, but I need actionable ideas, not just hope.How do I climb out of this? What programs, jobs, or options are out there for someone like me who’s got skills, drive, but no resources?Any advice, ideas, or help you can give—I’m all ears. I’ve rebuilt my mind. Now I just need a stable place to rebuild my life. It's hard feeling constantly like I'm in quick sand and the rope is 5 inches too far away.I'm in Southern Utah (St George), willing to relocate to SLC area or Las Vegas, I just need to stay local for my kids...4 hour radius from southern Utah. Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43402315 Points: 31 # Comments: 13
I never thought I’d be here—but I’ve hit a wall I can’t break through alone. I’m asking for help, advice, ideas—anything practical—to get off the streets and back into stability.
In the last year, I lost my mother (cancer), my grandmother (old age), and went through a divorce. I spiraled into depression, ended up living out of my car, barely functioning.
But I didn’t stay down. Through therapy, ketamine treatment, and building my own AI-assisted mental health tools (ChatGPT literally saved me), I’ve come out stronger, healthier, and ready to rebuild. My mental health is solid now—I’ve done the inner work.
Here’s my situation:
I’m living in my car, staying in cheap motels when I can afford it.
I drive Lyft/Uber full-time, but my car needs new tires, insurance renewal, and a payment due—without it, I can’t work. $400 for tires, $200 for insurance, $290 for car payment..
I have a desktop computer but nowhere stable to set it up and work.
I’m going back to school soon for computer science, aiming for AI/ML work, but I need to survive until student aid or inheritance (both delayed) arrives.
Here’s my question: What would YOU do in my situation to break the cycle? How can I create a stable base, get back to programming/freelancing, and stop just surviving?
I’m willing to work. I know I can earn 3-4x more doing freelance tech, but I can’t do that from a car.
I’ve thought about renting office space, finding roommates, even setting up a GoFundMe, but I need actionable ideas, not just hope.
How do I climb out of this? What programs, jobs, or options are out there for someone like me who’s got skills, drive, but no resources?
Any advice, ideas, or help you can give—I’m all ears. I’ve rebuilt my mind. Now I just need a stable place to rebuild my life. It's hard feeling constantly like I'm in quick sand and the rope is 5 inches too far away.
I'm in Southern Utah (St George), willing to relocate to SLC area or Las Vegas, I just need to stay local for my kids...4 hour radius from southern Utah.
Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43402315
Points: 31
# Comments: 13
