aibu to despair— life is hopeless

A live in volunteer role provided an escape route for someone I know who needed to leave home but didn’t have anywhere to go.

Google residential volunteer.

I'm sorry you're going through this. Sometimes it feels as if there's no rewards even when you manage to keep your head down and crawl through all the shite.

Yes, your siblings are safe, but what about you?

As you know, your mum's a lost cause, and there's a bunch of grief tied up with that. The person who's meant to protect you is your biggest problem. You need to get away from her. Easier said than done though.

You say you have nothing. Not right now. Not yet. The future seems far away. For now, you just need to escape. You haven't got anywhere to go. That's the first thing you've got to sort out. It doesn't need to be a big plan, certainly not a forever plan, but you need to find a room somewhere.

Please phone the national domestic abuse helpline. Talk to them about your options. You're in a domestic abuse situation. Work on extracting yourself first, and the rest will come.

You're clearly very intelligent, very capable and resilient. You will find a job.

Don't quit when you are so close. Things are actually getting better, just slowly, your siblings are saver & that must be a relief. They haven't improved for you yet and that fact there's no support isn't fair.

Are there any of the lecturers in your university that could recommend you for role or would have industry contacts?

Would you be able to share your situation with them?

Have you set up LinkedIn properly? Job searches, add your lecturers, classmates, see where they are working etc.

What industry/type roles are you looking for and people may be able to give you more guidance or suggestions?

Well done for getting this far.

Keep applying for jobs. Go back to student services at your uni and explain the situation. Ask for help (which I know isn't easy).

At least your siblings are safe now, which I hope lightens your load a little.

I had a friend in a similar situation.
They joined the Navy and never looked back.

You’ve done a great job so far -

Can your uni offer some support for finding work? You’ve presumably just finished your post grad?

Otherwise if you can say what you think your career path is and what you need now, people may have useful ideas.

I’m really sorry for you and your siblings re your mum. The best thing you can do for all of you right now is focus on moving yourself forward - not easy I know - but you’ve got so far, you will manage this next bit.

Well done for achieving all you have despite the circumstances. You need to keep looking for work - even if you start small, you can work your way up to a better salary. This will not be your life forever and you have already overcome so much - hang in there, your best years are yet to come :)