Abbey, once you get situated and set up, I think you will be very pleasantly surprised. I spent 20 years married to one of those 'loose cannon' types - he's an alcoholic, there was constant verbal abuse, everything always up in the air, never enough money, unbelievable stress. After the big breakup, the first few months were BAD and scary ... but then gradually they started getting better and better! Just the absence of the constant conflict and stress was such a blessing! The peace and quiet was wonderful! I could finally think straight and put things into perspective. There was less money than before but I was making my own decisions - I could choose how to spend it - and it was enough. And as my stress levels went down, my confidence grew and grew and my self-esteem came back. I had forgotten that I ever had any!
What you're doing takes a lot of courage and I admire you for taking that big step. You will land on your feet and you will do fine! Please stay in touch and let us hear from you when you can.