Desperate situation

[Ginnyaletranger78]

I'm on my own with a small child. Abroad.
Several years ago, I had a great career as a freelance writer, translator, editor and language teacher. I left the big city to bring my child up in the countryside. Everything was fine for several years.

Now, I'm really, really struggling. I'm in panic mode. I'm excellent at what I do, but AI is taking all the work or I'm competing with people on Upwork for 10% of what I used to earn. I worry constantly. I'm anxious. I'm living hand to mouth. I spend all day sending off applications and doing tests for free. At best, this gets me added to a database, sometimes the odd job.

I've written and translated best-selling and prize-winning novels. And now I'm rationing food. I don't want to ask for government help. I'm here on a residency permit because of Brexit. I'm so scared they won't renew it. I have a mortgage. My child was born here. I've been here half my life. It's all gone tits-up. Any other freelance creative types out there with some advice?

I feel like such a failure and I can't seem to pick myself up.

As above, if the work you were doing is gone, you need to switch. It might not be what you want or living the dream, but might enable you stay where you are.
If the place you are has high cost of living, think about the service sector, for example english pub, starbucks, restauant in a old folks home or gastro in a hospital. Or if you have the time retrain in personal care for the elderly, where I am this can be done in a short course and can be quite flexible in terms of work.
Another option, as you have the cafe location you could run or host workshops,either language based, like test prep, or speaking clubs, or craft based with coffee and cake. Many people like an excuse to leave the house!

Best of luck!