The internet is an amazing tool with so many sites that teach us everything from how to cure dandruff... to becoming a qualified lawyer. What have you been doing all these years? The only useful thing my parents ever taught me was that I didn't want to ever be anything like them.

I was forced to leave my parents home at a very young age…and found the world a very scary place. I also discovered that the only person we can rely on is ourselves. After a string of menial jobs I started frequenting my community library to educate myself and took night classes to eventually become a teacher. I quickly discovered that teaching wasnt for me, so took a night time waitressing job whilst living out of a garden shed in a friends back yard. My days were spent studying architectural drafting at community college, then after 2 years I was accepted at university to complete my qualification in Architectural technology. It took me over 10 years to get qualified....living hand to mouth sleeping on a mattress in a shed, and working at cleaning and waitressing jobs at night.

I appreciate so much in my life now…I do contract work from my home that is 100% owned by me, I have a garden that is like family and my 2 dogs for company. I never take my 'comfort' for granted, so have savings that will see me through in the bad times. Oh yes…and I never ever use my credit card unless I absolutely have to.

Shy Introvert life is hard…and the world owes us nothing. Bad things happen to good people..etc etc. We all grow up believing that life will be a certain way, but reality has a way of brutally squashing those beliefs. I feel that I have been somewhat of a Jonah in my life and been dealt more that my share of savage blows…dreadful trauma, resulting in debilitating mental illness and poor health. But to gain some independance and comfort from the harshness of the world and the people in it... we must be willing to eat a lot of s***