22 and no life

I can give you advice that I would give myself at 22 if I could.

Connect with people who have similar interests than you. They're out there either online or otherwise but find a group of like minded individuals - preferably find a group that gets you to connect face to face. If you aren't comfortable hanging out with them because you keep kicking yourself about your shortcomings, you need to get over that. But once you find a group just show up. 80% is just showing up.

Don't over-think. Find something that's interesting to you, and instead of thinking "wow I don't know if this will pan out" ask yourself "do I enjoy this?" If the answer is yes, do it. Don't worry too much if in three months from now you have a better idea and your current idea doesn't seem so interesting anymore. You're building up experience.

Be social, go someplace that's interesting. Talk to people, even if you're no good at it, you'll build up social skills. If people don't want to talk back, go find someone else that's interesting that's more receptive. Eventually you'll make friends and build up your social skills.

Build a support network from friends and family that you know love you and care for you. They are there even if it's a small group of people. Tell them what you're trying to do and talk to them. They may not have good advice but they'll listen and be supportive.

There's a lot of other good advice here, but these are just some of the things that I tell my brother who is almost twenty.

So now you understand his mindset of feeling like he is trapped in the town he currently lives in.

What would you have him do then?

Move in with someone. Attend community college for 2 years taking basics (anything that can transfer: govt, hist, math, bio, chem, engl) on only PELL grants. With a 0 EFC and independence, you should qualify for Pell. A Pell grant should cover books and tuition. Finding someone to take you in should not be that hard. People love helping others in need.

Second, transfer to somewhere that will take your GPA and translate it directly into scholarships to pay for the rest of your education. Transfer that into a masters.

The US college is made for poor people to aspire and start again. Don't take out Stafford loans until you're working on a bachelor's degree.

(Source: 23, no life, homeless, no money, no car. 3.93 in community college, transferred to university that covered 75% in scholarships and 25% was Pell/Stafford. Now 27, still degreeless, but by choice. Finally, landed a decent job.)

If college is not an option due to existing loans, and this is a complete shame, craigslist jobs can actually land you freelance work. If college is an option, ie: no existing loans, shoot me an email.

At your age I was working in a bookstore for 7.75 an hour. After that, I worked a graveyard shift at a residential treatment facility for 11/hour. Since then I've built and sold companies, raised venture money, etc. I started the good stuff near the age of thirty but I enjoyed the low-money years.

Step one is getting yourself happy. Punt the toxic people in your life, focus on friendships, exercise, and mental health (it sounds like you're depressed), and save up a few nickels. There'll be time enough for financial ambition down the road.