Stories with Tag advice

• Ask HN: How Do I Escape Homelessness After Rebuilding My Mental Health?

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  Posted: 2025-03-18 17:42:21

  Verbose tl;dr

  The original poster (OP) has successfully addressed their mental health challenges after a period of homelessness and is now seeking advice on rebuilding their life. They are currently staying in transitional housing, which offers limited support, and are feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of finding stable housing and employment. Specifically, they are struggling with anxiety around the rental application process and the fear of returning to homelessness. While proud of the progress made on their mental health journey, the OP feels uncertain about the next steps and is requesting guidance from the Hacker News community on practical strategies for securing housing and income.

  The original poster (OP) on Hacker News, having successfully addressed their mental health challenges after a period of homelessness, finds themselves at a crossroads, seeking guidance on reintegrating into stable housing and employment. They describe a situation where their mental well-being has significantly improved, allowing them to engage in productive activities like programming and contributing to open-source projects. However, they are currently residing in a precarious and temporary living arrangement described as "couch surfing," which lacks the stability and security needed for long-term progress. This transient housing situation presents a significant obstacle to securing traditional employment, which often requires a permanent address and consistent availability. The OP acknowledges the difficulty of presenting their current circumstances to potential employers and seeks advice on how to navigate this sensitive topic.

  Furthermore, the OP expresses a desire to regain a sense of normalcy and independence, outlining a plan to transition into more permanent housing. They acknowledge that the process of finding and securing suitable accommodation will be challenging given their current financial limitations and lack of a stable income stream. The OP is particularly interested in strategies and resources that can assist them in overcoming these hurdles, effectively bridging the gap between their current precarious situation and a more secure future. They are essentially seeking the collective wisdom of the Hacker News community to provide actionable advice, resources, and perhaps even inspiration on how to leverage their improved mental health and burgeoning programming skills to escape the cycle of homelessness and establish a stable and self-sufficient life. They are seeking a pathway towards a future where they can fully utilize their regained mental capacity and growing technical proficiency to secure both stable housing and meaningful employment.

  • homelessness
  • Mental Health
  • recovery
  • housing
  • Support
  • employment
  • finances
  • resources
  • Ask HN
  • advice
  • help
  • Community
  • reintegration
  • stability

  Summary of Comments ( 96 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43402315

  Verbose tl;dr

  The Hacker News comments offer a mix of practical advice and empathetic support. Several commenters stressed the importance of leveraging government and charitable resources for housing, food, and job assistance, specifically mentioning shelters, food banks, and social workers. Others recommended focusing on securing stable income, even if through temporary or gig work, as a foundation for getting off the streets. Multiple users advised against relying on family if the situation was abusive, prioritizing safety and mental well-being above all. Some suggested exploring vocational training or community college programs to improve job prospects. A few commenters shared personal experiences of overcoming homelessness, offering encouragement and highlighting the importance of perseverance. The overall tone was supportive and helpful, focusing on actionable steps the original poster could take.

  The Hacker News post "Ask HN: How Do I Escape Homelessness After Rebuilding My Mental Health?" generated a significant number of supportive and practical comments offering advice to the original poster (OP). Many commenters commended the OP for prioritizing their mental health and acknowledged the difficulty of their situation.

  Several commenters emphasized the importance of securing stable housing as a foundation for further progress. Suggestions included looking into subsidized housing programs, transitional housing options, and exploring resources offered by local charities and government agencies. Specific organizations like the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities were mentioned, along with the suggestion to contact a local United Way chapter. Some advised seeking assistance from social workers specializing in housing support.

  Financial stability was another key theme. Commenters recommended exploring job opportunities at temp agencies, focusing on entry-level positions, and considering online platforms for freelance work. Some suggested looking into vocational training programs or pursuing certifications to enhance employability. The importance of budgeting and managing finances responsibly was also highlighted.

  Several commenters shared personal anecdotes of overcoming similar challenges, offering encouragement and emphasizing the possibility of recovery. These stories provided a sense of hope and demonstrated the effectiveness of various strategies.

  Addressing the OP's concern about disclosing their homelessness to potential employers, commenters offered various approaches. Some suggested focusing on skills and experience rather than employment gaps, while others advised being upfront and framing the situation positively, highlighting resilience and determination. The possibility of using a friend's address or a PO box for job applications was also mentioned.

  The importance of continued mental health care was also stressed. Commenters encouraged the OP to maintain therapy or counseling sessions and to utilize support groups for ongoing encouragement and stability.

  In addition to practical advice, many comments expressed empathy, understanding, and encouragement. The overall tone of the comment section was supportive and helpful, demonstrating a strong sense of community and a willingness to assist someone in need. The range of advice offered covered various aspects of the OP's situation, from immediate needs like housing and employment to long-term strategies for maintaining stability and well-being.

• Freelancing: How I found clients, part 1

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  Posted: 2025-02-24 11:21:22

  Verbose tl;dr

  The author details their initial struggles and eventual success finding freelance clients as a web developer. Leveraging existing connections, they reached out to former colleagues and utilized their alumni network, securing a small project that led to a larger, ongoing contract. Simultaneously, they explored freelance platforms, ultimately finding Upwork ineffective but achieving significant success on a niche platform called Codeable. Focusing on a specific skillset (WordPress) and crafting a strong profile, they quickly gained traction, attracting higher-paying clients and establishing a steady stream of work through consistent proposals and high-quality deliverables. This two-pronged approach of networking and niche platform targeting proved effective in building a sustainable freelance career.

  In a Substack post entitled "Freelancing: How I Found Clients, Part 1," the author, operating under the pseudonym "crocspace," meticulously details their initial foray into the realm of freelance software development and the strategies employed to secure their first paying clients. The narrative commences with an exposition of the author's background, highlighting their prior experience in a traditional employment setting and the subsequent decision to transition into the more autonomous landscape of freelancing. This shift was motivated by a desire for increased control over their work-life balance and the potential for greater financial rewards.

  The author articulates a deliberate and methodical approach to client acquisition, eschewing the common reliance on freelance platforms and instead focusing on direct outreach to potential clients. This involved identifying businesses with a discernible need for software development services, often evidenced by outdated websites or a lack of digital presence. The author then crafted personalized emails, showcasing their understanding of the client's business and proposing specific solutions to their technological challenges. This personalized approach, as opposed to generic outreach, is emphasized as a key differentiating factor in their success.

  The post elaborates on the importance of showcasing a portfolio of previous work. While acknowledging the difficulty of building a portfolio without prior client projects, the author describes their resourceful solution: developing personal projects that demonstrated their technical proficiency and problem-solving capabilities. These projects served as tangible evidence of their skills, lending credibility to their proposals and assuaging potential client concerns about their lack of formal freelance experience.

  Furthermore, the author emphasizes the significance of networking, albeit not in the traditional sense of attending industry events. Rather, they advocate for leveraging existing connections, such as former colleagues and acquaintances, to uncover potential leads and referrals. This "warm introduction" approach, they argue, significantly increases the likelihood of a positive response and facilitates the establishment of trust.

  Finally, the post concludes with a reflection on the iterative nature of the client acquisition process. The author candidly admits to experiencing rejections and setbacks, underscoring the importance of perseverance and continuous refinement of their outreach strategies. The overarching message conveyed is that securing freelance clients requires a proactive, strategic, and persistent effort, with a focus on building relationships and demonstrating tangible value to prospective clients. The post anticipates a future installment, promising further insights into the author's ongoing journey in the world of freelancing.

  • Freelancing
  • clients
  • finding clients
  • client acquisition
  • business development
  • self-employment
  • gig economy
  • career
  • work
  • part 1
  • series
  • How-to
  • advice
  • Tips
  • strategy

  Summary of Comments ( 72 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43158262

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users generally found the advice in the linked article to be common sense, with several pointing out that networking and referrals are the most effective methods for freelancers to find clients. Some commenters emphasized the importance of specializing in a niche and building a strong online presence, including a portfolio website. Others shared their own experiences with cold emailing, which had mixed results. One commenter questioned the value of platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, while another suggested focusing on larger companies. The overall sentiment was that the article offered a decent starting point for new freelancers but lacked groundbreaking insights.

  The Hacker News post "Freelancing: How I found clients, part 1" linking to a Crocspace Substack article has generated several comments discussing the author's approach to finding freelance clients and broader freelancing strategies.

  One commenter points out the importance of the author's existing network, highlighting that having a pre-existing reputation and connections significantly eased their entry into freelancing. This commenter emphasizes that starting entirely from scratch, without any network, is considerably harder.

  Another commenter questions the scalability of the author's methods, particularly regarding the reliance on personal networks. They express skepticism about relying solely on warm leads and suggest the need for a more proactive, outbound approach for sustained client acquisition beyond the initial stages.

  Expanding on this theme, a subsequent comment discusses the challenges of maintaining a consistent pipeline of work solely through networking. They suggest the author explore additional client acquisition strategies, such as cold outreach, content marketing, or utilizing freelance platforms.

  Several commenters express interest in the financial aspects of freelancing, inquiring about the author's rates and income progression. They also discuss the importance of clearly defining one's services and target market.

  One commenter shares their personal experience with freelancing, highlighting the value of specializing in a niche and becoming a recognized expert in a specific area. They advocate for building a strong online presence and showcasing expertise to attract relevant clients.

  The conversation also touches upon the importance of soft skills in freelancing, including communication, client management, and the ability to handle difficult situations professionally. One commenter emphasizes the need for clear contracts and communication to avoid misunderstandings and ensure smooth client relationships.

  A few commenters offer additional resources and advice for aspiring freelancers, including links to helpful websites and communities. They also stress the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the ever-evolving freelance landscape.

  Finally, there's some discussion about the pros and cons of various freelancing platforms and the challenges of finding high-quality clients on these platforms. Some commenters share their experiences with different platforms, offering insights into their effectiveness and suitability for different types of freelancers.