Thought I would feel better....

[szbenne]

OK...so after months and months of research and preparation I finally filed my Chapter 7 pro se and I think I feel worse...I filed on the March 20 and felt like a huge burden had been lifted as I left the courthouse but that feeling was short lived...I actually walked into work the other day and for some reason I felt like EVERYONE knew...I know it's silly but I can't get the knot out of my stomach...I just received my first set of papers from the court, got my 341 date on May 18, and sent the required documents to the trustee...

When will it feel beter?? When it's all over???

I guess I keep going over the last 3 years and the some of the things that led me to this point...second guessing everything...wondering what kind of things will be asked at the 341...will I have to explain and justify everything....

I just needed to reach out to someone...as a single mother I don't have anyone to reassure me that everything will be ok...thanks for listening...

[JRScott]

Hi .

Welcome to the forums

Well I had an intial weight lift when I filed, however I was still a bit nervous. It wasn't until after the 341 and the trustee telling me good luck that the real weight seemed to lift.

Might be a bit more stressful since your pro se too, but I suspect after the 341 you should be in good shape, just make sure to get anything the trustee requests, he might send another request about a week or so before the 341. Not all do this depends if they feel they have enough information on what you've provided .

Good Luck better days are ahead

[huntersmommy]

I didn't start feeling better until after the 341 meeting and believe me it took a few days after that before I was beginning to act like my normal self (heck, I didn't even want to talk to family/friends on the phone for the first couple of days).
Just like everything else in this world...only time will make it better. As the days pass you'll think less and less about it.

[reallybroke]

..I am new to this forum as well. I wish I had found it before we filed. Many things I would have done different We have an attorney and filed Feb 25th. Long story, but we live rural and our 341 meeting is not until May 22nd. almost 90 days post filing! I thought I would be feeling better, but as each day passes and the more I read, the more I am second guessing myself as well. It seems that until the 341 passes, the worry about the "unknown" is what keeps the stomach in knots. This forum is extremely thought provoking and helpful in alot of ways. Most everyone is encouraging as we are all in the same boat. I wish you the best of luck in your fresh start.

[AngelinaCatHub]

SZ, your feelings are perfectly normal. You crossed one river in that you filed, now you see three others to cross ahead. Never look up at a mountain as to how far you must climb, only look down at the progress you have made. Happiness is a state of mind. You must negotiate your life everyday. You choose how you are going to feel. Please choose freedom and joy. Otherwise, you waste that day.

You are on your way to a new start in life. You are pro se and that tells me you have a lot of confidence and capability. Don’t surrender that to fear. Fear is an enemy that you can wish away. You too will be getting your “Victory Dance” sooner than you imagine. ‘Hub

[Flowers]

congrats on filing. That is a huge step, just after deciding to actually do it. So that is good.
You are smooth sailing until that 341.

I think it is normal to be going over the last 3 years or what ever it is. I did the same thing. I think your mind finally has time to review what went on instead of react to everything (phone calls, whatever got you into BK in the first place, worrying about getting shoes and food for family).

Anyway, there are lots of folks in your position right now. Food banks can not keep up, look at the news. You are not alone.

I hope you are feeling better. Take care of yourself. Make a cup of tea. And if you have questions or concerns about the next step, come back to this forum.

[Gerry]

Once discharged, the worrying goes away. You may never feel good about filing BK - I've never felt good about it, have always wished it had never come to that - but you will accept it and move on. Honest. Hugs to you.

[dingdong]

You just made a smart financial decision for you and your kiddo(s). Be proud you had the huttzpah to actually do it. Some debtors never take the step because of fear or shame and their famiy suffers. You looked past that fear and made a decision that made strong financial sense for your family.

You are starting off in these dire financial times with a head start that others wish they had the cahoneys to do.

Be proud you had the common sense to file and get yourself out of this mess instead of living in denial and trying futilely to dig yourself out of a whole that would never end.

Once you file you find yourself focusing on smart financial decisions and what you can do to change your life for the better.

They don't call it a fresh start for nothin'!

[AngelinaCatHub]

You just made a smart financial decision for you and your kiddo(s). Be proud you had the huttzpah to actually do it. Some debtors never take the step because of fear or shame and their famiy suffers. You looked past that fear and made a decision that made strong financial sense for your family.

You are starting off in these dire financial times with a head start that others wish they had the cahoneys to do.

Be proud you had the common sense to file and get yourself out of this mess instead of living in denial and trying futilely to dig yourself out of a whole that would never end.

Once you file you find yourself focusing on smart financial decisions and what you can do to change your life for the better.

They don't call it a fresh start for nothin'!

[BigJohn]

I got the feeling why the original poster doesn't feel that good is because of self doubt. The system has a lot of checks and balances. Even if you did screw something up, the system tends to be self correcting. You will make it thru. Good Luck.

[szbenne]

Thanks everyone!!!

OMG...you guys are amazing...THANK YOU so much for your kind, encouraging support...What a wonderful group of people in this forum to take the time to not only answer questions and share wisdom but to reach out to help someone feel better...I do feel better...and I will keep coming back as I am pretty sure that there will be plenty more days like this and plenty more questions to be asked...

Thanks Again!

[zpbk13]

Just wanted to add my congrats to you. What a wonderful step you have taken for you and your family. This is such a wonderful place to converse with others who actually get it. In the real world bk is still such a taboo subject, I find myself coming here daily and mostly lurking for the encouragement. Stories like yours are very inspiring to those like me that are taking the initial steps to our own fresh start.