Congratulations
@AshleyWright May the divine Natalie Horler guide you on your way to owning who you are. Your mum probably was as worried about you keeping it to yourself than you about telling her. It will undoubtedly strengthen your ties because it takes trust to show such a vulnerable part of you to someone. Shoutout to your friend, whose personal journey made that possible.
On a totally different subject, I will add my contribution in the "good news" category, something this thread sadly is not about for the most part.
It's been quite a few years now that I was looking to change my career path and did not know how to reach that goal. I will spare you the negative details, but I faced a lot of hardship for seven years both in the professional and personal departments: many failures, a major passing in the family, a hasty move, and a relentless battle against my depressing thoughts.
I found out the best way to move forward was to take a competitive examination, which was even more hell waiting to happen considering I am not a racehorse. For various reasons, I had to prepare and study by myself, not knowing whether it would be enough. 2020 session: I failed the exam due to a single mark I am still unsure how I got it. A feeling of crushing defeat ensued because I would have to wait for a whole year before trying again, with no guarantee to succeed and no viable alternatives in sight.
Two months ago, after months of preparation and stress (just living for that exam), I attended the 2021 session: contrary to the year before, the written papers left me disheartened because I could not finish them in time and thus expected low marks. Game over. Against all odds, I was taken to the second and last stage: the oral paper, which I attended last week. It went so-so, could have been worse, could have been better, but I was not hoping it would be enough for me to succeed.
Today was results day and... BANG! My name was among the successful candidates that will officially take up their new job next September. I wish I could say I am happy right now, but instead I feel sort of numb because I was 100% prepared to fail once again. So not only this news marks a career change, but it will also lead to a change of life for the better, more stability and fulfilment. After all the crap I have had to deal with for years, now seems to be my chance. As my grandmother - who lived a super tough life - likes to say: "the sun shines for everyone, if it's not your turn today, it will be tomorrow". If you guys have dreams, don't give up even if you feel like you hit rock bottom and there is no apparent way of improving the situation. It can take time, but the opportunity will come. Then it's a matter of you being ready to seize it. If I did it, so can you.
I know hope can be a scarce commodity, so I wanted to give you some.