Resilience vs. Reality: My Breakup with Online Surveys

Yesterday, I shared two powerful social media posts with my family—messages from well-known figures highlighting the power of resilience, the refusal to quit, and the sheer determination that fuels success.

It felt good to send those reminders. I wanted my family to know that I never quit.

But now? I’m quitting.

The phase of completing online surveys for extra cash was fun… for about a week. Then, it got personal. Too personal. Question after question—my inbox flooded, my phone pinging nonstop.

Twenty-five dollars and countless surveys later, I’m officially done. Sure, I reached “Gold Elite” status, but this hustle isn’t for me.

Yesterday, I went out with my wife and made a purchase. The cashier asked for my phone number, and I’ll admit—I had a moment. I’ve shopped at this store countless times, and suddenly, my phone number was required? My wife braced herself. The customer behind us squirmed as we rattled off every phone number we could think of. Eventually, the cashier overrode it.

Between the endless job applications and survey responses, my phone number must be everywhere. Apparently, not at this store—though I’m almost certain I completed a survey for them.

Online surveys are a rabbit hole. Once you start, it’s hard to stop. The emails, the invitations, the “urgent” reminders—it’s relentless. My inbox feels like it updates by the minute, demanding yet another response.

Enough with the questions!

To make matters worse, multiple attempts were made to hack my social media accounts—from TikTok to Facebook. I can’t say for certain if it’s connected, but it’s unsettling.

Now, I shift my focus to what really matters—finding my next opportunity. This marks month two of my ongoing job search, and I’m staying determined.

If you’re job hunting too, don’t give up. No matter how tough it gets, resilience is everything.

Rock on!