That fucking every guy you came across when you were married wasn't your dream?

It seems that's all you spent you time doing.

Does the Georgia Straight post moronic comments ?

What is happening here ??

Hi, Pardon the asshole who posted the first post. Look, you "love all things creative, artistic, and healing". You can express all those things without spending years in school. If you mean the traditional route to being a therapist, sure you will have a tough time. But there are lots of other alternative ways to do the things you love. Maybe the field you really want to work in has made a lot of changes since you were younger. Take a good hard look at the area you are interested in and be open to different avenues. No doubt whatever route you take there will be a little extra work for you but then you will appreciate it more. If you know what area you want to work in, take any job in that field and you will be on your way. No job is too insignificant in pursuit of your dreams.

You had no focus when younger and you still have no focus. Aspired to be WHAT kind of therapist? Art therapist? Music? General mental health counsellor? Massage therapist? Respiratory therapist? Physiotherapist? Figure out what you actually want, figure out what it will take, what it will cost, talk to someone at your bank or credit union about what you need to do to fix your credit rating - or maybe you are just assuming you won't be able to get a loan. Ask for help. You sound like my mom: if you don't figure out how to not negate every single possibility or suggestion for change, your cherry on top of all of this will be children who grow to hate being around you. Bitter, resentful senior citizens who think the world owes them something. It's a thing. Don't be that thing.

Not to feed the trolls, but it seems I may need to clarify that my wife (yes, wife) and I divorced for amicable reasons involving her career and neither one of us was unfaithful during our relationship. She's probably always going to be my 1st love. Not sure why that was relevant, but there you go. Yes, I get it that my dream job/s are non-traditional for a man, but hey, it's 2016 so why does anyone give a shit? I got my IT position due to nepotism, not education/skill, and I'm grateful to have it. I have full custody of my kids because my wife's career involves constant travel, and that's why I work as I do. I'd do anything for those kids, but at the end of the long, draining day it's tough to reconcile duty over the drudgery. I don't resent it, but I don't relish it either. Not sure that makes sense to anyone. Maybe I feel more in common with single moms because they seem to be the only people who get me.

I feel bad for all women who have crossed your path.

wow, I think I see 2 possible contributors to the horrendous social scene that is Vancouver.

Look...life goes on whether you can do a degree in 2 years or 20. Back in 2002 I started taking 1 night class a semester. Between 2002 and 2007 I slowly transitioned from full time work and post time school, to full time school and part time work.
It was scary and tough financially, I'm not going to lie. There are grants for single parents (which you will qualify to apply for because you have full custody).
You do have options. It just doesn't feel like it right now. Take small steps. They will take you the distance eventually.