This is very specific but I hope someone can relate. As an only child, it’s always been hard for me to be completely independent as an adult. Moving away to college an hour away was super challenging for me. I ended up moving back with my parents after graduating then a year later, my mom passed away. My relationship with my dad has never been quite as strong but we have stuck together.

Anyways here I am, I just finished my Masters degree and got a new job and I’m currently commuting but I am hoping to move out on my own soon. It’s been almost a year and a half since my mom passed. I am almost 25 and I want/need to really jumpstart my life. My dad is supportive but I can feel this is difficult for him. He’s going to be in this 3 bedroom house alone and he has been bringing up that finances are tough because he was advised to have extra money taken out of his paychecks to help reduce the amount of taxes due for him now that he has to file single. I am a helper/fixer and have tried to help/fix my parents with their issues for the majority of my life. I’ve always felt the burden of helping my parents as an only child. Now I feel like it’s truly all on me because my mom isn’t here and I’m really all that my dad has. It’s hard to let go and really life my own life while I am still young.

If anyone has any experiences or advice to share, it would be greatly appreciated.