Any form of life change like the one you are going through can cause the symptoms of anxiety, sadness and shame that you have listed.

The unknown future. And what it holds.

I haven't been working since September. Long story. But I'm not sure I'll ever be able to get back in to teaching. It terrified me. And I felt a sense of loss.

But I'm working through it and starting to see new possibilities. I was nervous at first, but I think that this change will be good for me.

I think that your plans to go back to university is very wise. It gives you a goal and you will have a form of focus. Keep your eye on that long term goal and don't lose sight of it.

Sometimes when radical change happens we can't understand why all of it is necessary.

But if we are lucky enough we can look back through the trials that we went through and realise we are in a better place for it.