Hi and welcome to PC!

I'm 52 and I'm still trying to complete a degree. Mental illness and a career where I'm not around for school a lot didn't help things. I've had to stop again because of anxiety and having to move out of my house, and don't know when I'll pick it back up, if ever. But I do have compassion for myself and understand that I'm doing the best I can with what I have.

My daughter is 21 and she's moving out with her boyfriend and a mutual friend of hers. They may have like one half of a good car between the three of them, they have been applying for jobs and not getting further than an interview. (My daughter doesn't have a job yet as the place she worked at is going out of business. The other two have jobs but want something that pays better.) Yet they are optimistic and looking forward to being on their own. We're helping them out as much as we can, considering both my husband and I are on disability.

I know you want to make your parents proud, and feel better about yourself. The thing is, though, you are doing better. You're having rough times and yes, you may have to ask for help again, but you're better than where you were. And you'll keep getting better.