Maybe I'm desperate, but I'd latch on to anyone showing the least bit of interest in me. Of course, no-one ever does though.

Hi, well nothing in life except for change and death is certain. would you rather be in an unhappy comfort zone? there comes a time when the comfort zone becomes uncomfortable and that is more traumatic. I scanned thru your other entries. most people make a chance when it is not optional anymore, for some it is the right time, others it might be too late.

I hope you can really look within and then decide what is best for you. staying in a situation out of guilt or misplaced loyalty only breeds resentment. but then i could be off the mark. Good luck!

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens but we often look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us"
Helen Keller

Trite, I know, but how long can you keep on feeling the way you do? Isn't it time to at least give yourself a chance to be happy?
The kids are all you wished for, they do you proud and would not thank you for staying with something which is causing you both such grief. I left home at 18, I fully expect my daughter to do the same and, you know what, I'm happy because it means she is independent and knows her own mind (as if there was ever any doubt on THAT one!!)

It is the most difficult decision to make and every time I try to face up to it I feel so tired and exhausted. Last year I was facing a tough decision and everyone around me kept telling me how lucky I was and I should grateful I could stay where I was. It wasn't what I wanted to hear because I felt trapped and suffocated. The only voice for me though was my daughter who said that I should do what I wanted to do with my life without reference to anyone else. The one person who offered me freedom was the person I stayed put for - at least for her sake for the moment I tolerate the things I can't change. The future is an unwritten book - don't waste pages.....

It is only fear of the unknown that keeps us stuck where we are - I would give in my notice of my crap job tomorrow, but there's that "security" thing. But when does "security" become a prison? Hmmm... Sometimes we need to bite the hand that holds our leash, as someone once said to me.