uphill struggle

[Squires266]

why is life such a struggle? I came to this Country to make a better life for myself, and my family and it's just not happening. Over the past 18 years, I've lost count of the number of low paid, casual jobs I've found myself in, and out of, even though I have Master's degree. (a piece of paper so out of date now as I graduated in 2005). I've spent a lot of time and effort on trying to integrate and socialise with my peers through various school/social/sporting clubs over many years, but yet I still have no close friends. In fact, apart from my husband and 2 adult children, I have no external social life. I'm only invited to social get-togethers to make up numbers or to buy things, not to birthdays, engagements or even small social dinners. It's come to a head more-so since turning 50, a few of years ago. Since then, I've fought cancer, (clear 3yrs) been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (which halted my sporting life) and put on 8kg over the past year. My youngest adult child has high functioning autism and finding him a job has resulted in nothing in 5 years so far. My eldest, at uni and working casually has just announced his work is giving him less and less shifts, In fact, he received no shifts this month and was told he would still be expected to rely on covering other people if they can't make their shifts. I've told him to go to Centrelink and see if he can claim anything inbetween looking for alternative employment, but from past experience he'll probably get nothing. My husband works fulltime and my casual job, although both minimally paid and mine only part-time will probably be judged to be just above the cut off line. we've been turned down before when there was only my husband's wage coming into the household. What have I done wrong with my life? Some days I just sit around in my nightdress because I couldn't be bothered to make an effort. Nobody seems to care. I have tried, I know i have...

[uncut_gems]

Squires,

The title of your post really says it all– life is indeed an uphill struggle. Even when money isn't an issue, life can be a real grind. So it's no surprise that when financial stress is added on top of it (not to mention sickness, in your case), things can get really overwhelming. Unfortunately Centrelink, like many other parts of the Australian welfare system, can be quite punitive and hard to navigate, right at the moment when you most need some simple assistance.

Unfortunately I don't have too many concrete recommendations, other than this: you have done nothing wrong with your life. You're only guilty of working hard and trying to make a nice life for yourself and your family, and what you are experiencing has more to do with the realities of the modern economy than any personal failing on your part. Just from hearing your short story it sounds like no one could ever fault you for not trying. The reality is that short-term "gig" work and low-paying jobs are becoming the new normal, and the fact that this has started to affect your life does not at all reflect on you, your work ethic, or your family.

Please remember that there are thousands of people in your exact position who can sympathize with where you are, even if it seems like nobody cares. Often the shame of finding ourselves in this position prevents us from reaching out and making common cause with the people who are suffering in the same way.

Keep fighting the good fight and all the best,

Gems