Since Lou found my daily timetable has changed her life (although yes Lou I was ripping the piss) I thought I'd give her some advice once and for all.
Lou... . does your life make you happy? Are you enjoying it? I can guarantee you've just thought No! We all understand you're struggling but changing your life is completely within your control. The changes you need to make will take time to pay off and your still gonna find it difficult for quite a while but eventually hard work will pay off
1. Get rid of Ste, you're always happier and function much better when you're apart. A relationship should build you up not drag you down
2. Write a budget! Write down every regular payment that you pay every month. A month's worth of electric, gas, TV, water, phone and anything else you pay like that. Whatever is left from your monthly benefits is what you will have left to spend on everything else, food, drinks, clothes, toiletries, cleaning supplies and luxuries. Out of that money save as much of that money as you can, most of us buy very few luxuries. We buy cheap brand everything! You'll be able to save up for all the things you want and be proud of yourself for doing it all by yourself
3. Meal plan. Plan a menu for a week, 3 meals a day and a snack. Take the list with you and only buy the food that you need for those meals. It is much cheaper to prepare food at home, stop buying expensive crap like ready made sandwiches. This will also help you lose weight!
4. Find a hobby. You'll be able to afford one with all the money you've saved. What's something you've enjoyed in the past? You could try adult colouring books, learn how to knit or crochet through YouTube,that diamond painting that was suggested last night. You could have a craft room instead of that stupid office/study that you dont need. Do not put the supplies for this on your wishlist! Earn it yourself by doing what I've said above and imagine how exciting it will be to walk into a shop and spend money you've worked hard to save!
5. I don't think you're made for the gym! Find an exercise that you enjoy and it will be much easier to stick to. I walk everywhere. I can drive but a nice walk clears my head and along with the fresh air is great for your mental health!
This is my guide to adulting! I'm sure some of the others will add some good tips and advice but we can't do it for you. Your a grown ass women who needs to start acting like one! Think how great your online content would be. Not Beggy Lou but Amy Louise Vickers who worked hard and turned her life around, stopped taking drugs and built a lovely home all by herself.
Btw it took me 4 years to be able to afford Christmas decorations. It was a choice between buying my kids presents or putting up so tinsel and the kids came first!