I've slept in the park, in a library, on the train, and just once on someone's couch. I survive off minimal government assistance and here-and-there odd jobs.
No one realizes I'm homeless until I actually spell it out for them. When I meet people and I feel like they're trustworthy, I let them know. It's usually a mutually beneficial relationship; I'm a talkative person with lots in my past, and people help me out with favors or gifts.
But it gets annoying. I can't hold down a full time job. Everything I need to survive I am lugging in a 40lb backpack. Keeping clean and neat looking means that i rely on opening hours of public faclities (library/parks bathrooms) to wipe myself clean and charge my phone/battery bank. Well, those are the same hours that a regular job would normally be.
I may have a shot at a change, a guy I know works in a small 24/7 supermarket and might get me an overnight shift working there. Minimum wage, but i can invert my schedule, sleep/clean/charge during the day at the library and work at night. Would actually be advantegous in my situation.
Everyone: take care of yourselves and be mindful of your mental health. 2 years ago I was stable and making good money. Now I am on the street. It only takes a few mistakes for everything to fall apart. Be well.
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