Gabriel Mizrahi

Since March, I've applied for over 600 jobs and have only gotten a handful of interviews with no offers.

I have two bachelor's degrees in computer information systems and communication.

And yet I'm currently working as a barista just to bring something in.

My confidence is shot and the $11,000 and counting in vet bills has nearly drained my savings.

I've kept in touch with my professional network, but my entire career has been in the government and as you can imagine, there aren't any opportunities there at this time.

I've tried to encourage my partner to find healthier coping methods, but after working for 24 hours or more and hardly getting to sleep, if at all, he's too exhausted for things like the gym.

I've suggested therapy, but he refuses to try it.

With everything going on, I've shifted into survival mode and haven't pressed the issue as hard.

How do you work 24 hours in the military?

Don't they have shifts?

Yeah, fair enough.

Still, my partner has been incredibly supportive through all of this.

He's been there for me emotionally, especially regarding my career situation, and knowing that he may have to support us financially for a time, and he has never once wavered in his encouragement.

He's trying to quit the zen, though I still get frustrated when he admits that he slipped up.

He no longer drinks a bottle of whiskey every few days, but when he does bring home shooters, he'll hide them from me to avoid an argument.

By staying, am I teaching him that lying comes without consequences?

Is this a pattern, or did I back him into a corner where being honest felt impossible?

Yeah, both can be true, I think.

How can my partner cope with stress in a career that is so mentally and physically demanding when he refuses therapy?

Do I just need to accept that as long as he's in the military, his drinking habits will be the reality and stop nagging him about it?