My difficulty has been ongoing since 2013 when I was tanked by this recession, lost it all, my much loved work, plowed through my life savings over the next 3 years unable to find decent, sustainable work and had to give up my beloved little country home. I am in my 50’s, with one adult daughter and divorced forever now and my attachment to the holiday thing has been in check for years. I have enjoyed simple celebrations and was well able to afford to make a nice meal and buy gifts, but still kept it simple and low key. I do not feel any sadness around the holidays, but I am really struggling with the loss of of my home, financial independence and adjusting to living with house mates after living alone and loving it forever after my divorce.
The good news is that I am embarking on a new “career” of pet and house sitting and already have 3 new clients that I sit for. I am enjoying some lovely homes and ranch properties, and am being paid very well. I will be spending this Monday at one home with a dog and cat and then the New years weekend on the big ranch, cozied up by a beautiful fireplace with 4 dogs and my other charges, 11 horses. I really like this situation, it is like vacationing at fun new houses.