Without giving too many details, worked at a place as a professional for a long time. Terminated because someone didn't like me. Am still looking for a better job, fell back to a previous skillet at minimum wage in order to do something with myself, and it's so much better.

I know this isn't quite the situation you're referring to, but the right work environment with the right management goes a long way to having fulfillment at work.

That said, none of that costs any money. We're talking about policy, procedure, and culture change. I've been able to manage mentally as a wage slave by becoming more socialist This does not always align with what the company thinks it wants, but for minimum wage, I don't care. I am doing what's right by me, and that's a good feeling.