I live in the UK and make 24.5k, which in US dollars is actually 32k. In all honesty, it sucks. I'm almost 31, up until 2 years ago, I had a stable and great career with continuous payrises, last one being 39k plus bonus. I had developed severe anxiety and depression because of a bully of a boss and an ex and although I broke up with the guy, the depression and anxiety stuck at work. I switched to a new company but my demons followed, so one day, I quit on the spot.

I didn't wanna go back to my old industry, so took 9 months off to figure out a new career path. I have found it, but in the process, took a huge "pay cut" and landed on 24.5k when by now, I could have been on 45k.

I feel like a failure, and I hate my life. I am looking after my mum and siblings and also have debts of 7k from my 9 months of being jobless. So I can't afford to just quit and start afresh again.

At the same time, I am also in an awful position: I have less than a years' experience in my current field and had changed fields twice before, so I can't go "back" to a particular career.

Having said this, I read the statements of other OPs here and I count myself lucky.