Help help help !!!

[barneyboo]

I would love to do some kind of working from home but am in a state about what to do. After being mentally bullied at school (16 years ago) I have never been able to go off the end of our drive unless taken out in the car by mum (although I did take nine GCSE's and got top grades in all subjects). I did work with maladjusted adults and worked nights in a nursing home for five years but was always bullied by some member of staff to the point of vomitting and crying before I went. Finally in 2002 when my grandad became seriously ill I packed this job in and just stayed at home. My grandad died and then a month later my dad got ill and died two months after this. My grandma then became ill and me and mum looked after her until she died in 2004, so it was an absolutely terrible time. She left me some money and I have lived on this and my savings ever since but this money is starting to run out and I am in a panic as to what to do. Because of my past experiences I avoid having to deal with people and in no way could go back into "normal" employment without making myself ill. I don't want to sit vegetating and living off the state as this would make me feel more of a failure than I already do and would absolutely love to be able to maybe set up a website and sell things or do something like this. I am good at art and can do almost anything in this area but have absolutely no confidence to push myself forwards. I write childrens stories and illustrate them as well. If anybody has any suggestions that could give me a bit of courage I would really appreciate it as I am at the end of my tether and crying as I write this. I am 32 years old and female. Please please please please I'm desperate.

[beryllium]

oh barneyboo, please don't be sad.... life really is too short hun and boy have you been through it!!!
Now then, have you had a good wander around Ebay? you sound like you have an amazing talent to sell with your art and hey!!! if you don't try it how will you ever know?
Your books sound fantastic too, so why not get one together and send to a publisher or 3? you never know!!! someone may like it and if you get the old 'sorry not this time' try again!!! Ebay really is a good place to sell things but you must study it first and you sound intelligent enough to do that.
Also with your art? apply to have a stall at a craft fair, even if that means travel.... of course Christmas is the busiest time for craft fairs but people who go to these things are looking for individual pieces and we have plenty of summer country fairs where we are too!!!
Now please smile as I am sending you a big smile as I write this :-) B. xXx

[B00]

Awww bless you!

your post has brought a tear to my eye.

Not sure if you've thought of this, but how about (seeing as your good with art) card making?

Have you looked into what benefits you may be entitled to?

How about seeking work in a local animal shelter? Whilst you will have to face people there, most of your 'clients' will be the furry variety, and I've often found them to be far more pleasant than most folk!!!

However, I really think the main issue is your lack of confidence, your only 32 and if this can be addressed your outlook and future will be so much more brighter. Have you thought of discussing this with your GP?

Most of all, I wish you good luck whatever you decide to do.

Boo
xxxx

[mrrobbo15]

yes as beryllium says, i wud send sum stories to a publisher for sure....

and why dont you try selling stuff ur art on ebay, have a look at the art n crafts bit and see what others are doing

get sum medical help with ur going out thing, i had probs sum years bad and they turned me around big time. i can honestly say i wudnt ave been here today without their help......go 4 it !!!

gud luck n keep looking forward, never look back....

[mrrobbo15]

....and can i add........32 is still young...u can do anything !!

xx

[barneyboo]

Thankyou ever so much everybody for all your advice. I will certainly look into the Ebay thing. I do know my way round the site as I look on it quite a bit anyway. Once again thankyou. Things look a bit clearer now.

[B00]

Let us know how you get on?

Once again, good luck :-)

[beryllium]

Good Oh :-) and wishing you All The Best in your new business ventures....

B. xXx

[barneyboo]

Thanks again for all your kind answers !!!.

[mrrobbo15]

have u looked ????

[barneyboo]

On Ebay you mean ????. Yes, I've decided to start off by selling my dad's CD and DVD collection as he had a few hundred of each. Hopefully this will tide me over while I sort out my stack of artwork. Then I can put them on Ebay as well. I do have a website kit that I bought a while ago and threw to one side so I have got that out and dusted it off and will set it up with my stuff on and hope somebody is interested. I'm feeling much more positive now. It's nice to know that not everybody out there is nasty and your help is appreciated.

[beryllium]

excellent!!! :-) when you're all set up and running post us a link to your EBay hun and I'll be a customer for you.... providing your originals aren't in the thousands lol..... ;-)

[mrrobbo15]

good good....dont ask too much for them.(cds n dvds) theres loads, as u can see.

yeah put a link on here wen u list them and im looking forward to seeing ur artwork

[B00]

Awww, I'm so glad things are looking up for you barneyboo

Keep us updated

xxxxxxxxxxx

[barneyboo]

Awww thanks for your support. I have actually been trying to paste an example of my work onto here but it didn't work. I just wanted to see if you thought it was marketable or not.

[mrrobbo15]

dont worry about what we think.....lol just go 4 it