A few weeks ago, it suddenly started to go sour. I sat down with my two bosses and got a verbal warning that a lot of things were slipping through the cracks, and that I had to start improving, and fast. I knuckled down, got my shit together, and got most things on track pretty immediately. (And then was let go)

This was me ~3-4 years ago. I also had a dream job at a startup. I got the performance review chat after a string of other layoffs and read the writing on the wall and started looking elsewhere for work, while simultaneously documenting everything. In my own realm of vague, they found out I was job hunting through some super sleuthing online and asked me to leave if I'm 'not happy there.'

It was pretty devastating but thanks to the performance heads up, I was already mid-interviews into scoring a new job and wasn't more than 5 days unemployed. I'm confident you'll find something similar.

The job I found after was great for my career, but terrible for my soul. I learned a lot and gained a lot of incredible experience, but it was draining. I slipped into depression from this long string of events and rather than ride it out, I signed up for the Working Holiday Visa to New Zealand. If you're a US citizen you can choose Australia instead if you like.

This was one of the best decisions of my life. I was at the end of age 28 (like you), working my ass off wasn't really getting me anywhere special, I didn't have time for hobbies or socializing, I had a huge desire to travel but 3 weeks or fewer per YEAR to do it in. There are plenty of non-work issues that factored into my taking time off but that's sort of the work-focused narrative for you.

If you can take a working holiday, I highly suggest it. Spend the first few months traveling and exploring and the last few working. If you have a rare skill, you could likely find an extension on your visa to stay here longer and continue working if you find a job you like. It's been amazing getting away from US work culture for a while.