Story

Hello! Thank you for visiting my page.

I’m reaching out to ask for your support during a difficult time in my life. A year ago, I was working as a postdoc at a university—a career I’d dedicated years to in the pursuit of knowledge and passion for the arts despite being from a non-academic background (my father is a busdriver and my mother, who died when I was 22, worked in a supermarket). Unfortunately, my academic journey came to an abrupt halt due to severe burnout, caused by structural issues and personal conflicts with my supervisor, whose bullying eventually led to my termination. My burnout escalated into a severe depression, which required hospitalization for four months last year.

Since my release, I’ve struggled to find footing back in academia, and my attempts to secure a new academic position have all come up short. As of September 2023, I’ve been relying on freelance work as a music journalist and librettist, as well as state support. Although this new path has been creatively fulfilling, my financial stability remains a daily challenge. Compounding this, I went through a divorce last year that left me with legal fees and a significant amount of debt.

Shortly before the separation, I took out a loan of $14,000 to help my now ex-wife and me get settled, and I’m now solely responsible for repaying it. In total, I have around $42,000 in student loans and another $32,000 in consumer credit debt. I’m committed to repaying every dollar honestly and fully. However, with an income of about $1,900 per month, rent of $850, and loan payments of roughly $980, I can barely cover basic expenses. I’ve been trying to delay bills, but they’ve begun accumulating to an amount I can no longer manage.

Any contribution you can make will help me cover my debts and ease this financial pressure, allowing me to focus on building a sustainable career as a freelancer. Thank you for considering supporting me on this journey. Every bit helps, and I am profoundly grateful for your generosity and kindness.