If you don’t have mobile coverage, the local library or community centre. MacDonalds is also a popular option.

I have been there.

It’s not a fun place.

In my experience the thing that gets everything else going is going for a walk. Start small. Walk to your front door and open it. Next time do it again. Perhaps take a step outside. Do it again. Then two steps, closing the door behind you - bring your keys!

The idea is to do something slightly bigger than before, but not so much that you are exhausted or afraid to try again.

The only one who is going to change anything is you, harness your energy and have a crack. Nobody is watching so no need to be ashamed.

Have at it.

For anyone reading this.

From personal experience, have a shower daily, go for a walk, even if it’s only to the end of your garden or street and drink plenty of water. Sleep if you need to.

This won’t fix things, but it will give you an opportunity to give yourself a break.

In my experience, beating yourself up about everything you suck at is the single biggest thing that made it worse for me.

Finally, talk to someone, anyone. In the street, at the bus, at work, friends, family, online, anyone.

This too will pass.

Interestingly, in my profession the media is saying that they’re screaming for people, my peak association is saying that we should issue Visa’s for international recruitment.

That same peak body is publishing articles saying that our profession is demanding too much pay.

Meanwhile with 40 years experience, I’ve spent the past 30 months looking for the next opportunity, getting ignored or worse, getting told that my application won’t be pursued without any explanation. Demoralising is not strong enough to convey the impact of such a response.

I speak with my peers with similar levels of experience and they’re seeing exactly the same thing.

I hung my shingle out 25 years ago as an independent consultant, been through several downturns across my career, but I’ve never seen anything like this.

I think that we’ve gotten to the point where the free market has broken and government intervention is required.

Presumably there’s a record of the medication, given that someone had to pay for it.

I’m clearly out of the loop.

What is this about?