Good morning redditors,
First off I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read my post, as I'm in fairly desperate need of direction.
I used to be a concept artist(designing for movies, games, architecture etc.) for 8 years and was doing very well at 6 figures. Fast forward to early 2024 - l was laid off and my industry crumbled to the ground due to many factors, namely AI. My skills were once sought after but I am now useless and have no other relevant skills. Due to a string of unfortunate events beyond my control, I am running low on savings and don't have enough capital to make any significant investments. As the unemployment rate where I live is at almost 9%, I can't even land minimum wage jobs and as someone now in his mid 30's, I am beyond desperate.
I've spent months thinking of what I could possibly do to earn a living, but my only other skill which I believe has any value is my social ability with people, either 1-on-1 or in groups. The thing is, I simply don't know what to do with it. At all.
For context, I had a very bad upbringing and childhood - constantly bullied, no friends, alone, depressed, low self-esteem, terrible with women - you name it. I wallowed in my own misery and was not a likeable person until my mid 20's due to my childhood trauma until I managed to turn it around and started realizing that I was often referred to as charming and likeable, and people just seemed to really like me. Fast forward to the present day; I have a large social group and sports group that I'm well known in, am recognized for always uplifting people and having a warm and inviting demeanor, and generally make good impressions on people regardless of their gender, age or race. I can comfortably strike conversations with anyone in any place at any time, and I almost always garner positive responses. Many, many people have commented on my ability to charm groups and how people seem to gravitate towards me.
All this being said, I think there is room for opportunity with these social skills but I have no idea where to start. The only idea I have been musing is something involving consulting sessions to help people(mostly thinking men) who are socially awkward or going through the same troubles I did for the better part of my life. I think it would be great to make a living by helping people in a measurable, meaningful way.
All that being said, I am open to anything and everything. As previously mentioned, I am desperate to regain some direction in life and to start making money again, even if it's minimum wage.