I’m 64. I’ve been laid off three times over the years, starting well before COVID, and each time it forced a reset I didn’t ask for — new skills, new industries, new expectations. Like a lot of people here, I spent years adapting just to stay afloat, sometimes in work I hated, sometimes feeling like I was always behind or competing in spaces where I didn’t quite fit. COVID was the final shove off the path I thought I was on. What followed was a mix of loss, relief, and a long stretch of figuring out what “next” even means at this stage of life. These days I’m focused on building something on my own terms. I’ve found AI to be a genuinely helpful tool — not magic, not hype — just leverage and learning without gatekeepers. More importantly, I’ve learned I wasn’t broken. The system was, and a lot of us paid for that. If this resonates, you’re not alone. I appreciate spaces like this that favor honesty and practical help over hustle talk.

I would recommend making something at your local Makerspace. Besides a way to learn a new skill, the makerspace communities around the world are wonderful communities, and allow one to meet people IN PERSON. I'm a member of a makerspace in Houston, and I have learned 3d printing, laser cutting, and producing things like t-shirts & cups. ETSY ( https://www.etsy.com/ ) is an online shop to sell crafts. Not necessarily a way to make a living per se, but a way to supplement your income. The emphasis on tech / programming / AI is making the custom crafts market very attractive.

For those who are looking for a way to get experience & exposure to tech: check out churches, nonprofit organizations, and political campaigns. All of the above are always in need of some sort of tech: for example help with administration (of social media for example), and although you can start with volunteering eventually you could work into some for-pay work, and in the meanwhile you'll learn new skills and have examples of your work online and available for resumes & interviews.