My Story So Far. Is this even worth saving?

[mimivac]

I absolutely would take a lesser stress job over the money. I suffer from a heart condition that is worse from stress and I have trained as a chef. I would prefer to have my own catering operation or open my own business (which I'm aware is stressful, but what I love to do) and make less money than what I'm doing now. I just can't afford to feed, house and cloth us, as well as pay all of the bills and pay off our debt (I have my own student loan debt, too). I'm paying it off because I'm trying to make things better for the BOTH of us, but I feel really angry that I'm working so hard while he's out cheating on me.

You sound very resentful of h for having to put off your dreams to support the two of you. Understanable. But I really think it would be helpful for you and the m to own this and take control of your own life. You chose to work at your higher-paying job rather than pursue a catering business. You had good reasons for doing so, but it was still your decision. Despite all the financial complications, you can now choose to do otherwise. In steps. Thinking about quitting your job and establishing a business while you are in debt and living in someone else's house will seem too overwhelming. But this is your life and you have a dream for it. Why accept anything less than trying to fulfill that?

What would your life look like in five years if you started taking steps today to live the life you've always wanted? What would it look like if you didn't? What is the very first step you can take on that road? Maybe researching grants for chefs, or reading about starting off with a food truck business (sorry, I don't know anything about this, so my suggestions might be nonsense). You don't have to do anything drastic yet. Just think, read, talk to others in the field.

Mimi