@overexciteddragon and @chesed-universe-180 thank you both for your kind words!  You made me cry tonight (happy tears!).

I did live on my own for two years, so I know it gets better.  I’m only currently confined in small living spaces with the mother because of family vacation, and living at home is temporary.  It’s just that I make a very little bit more than the lowest monthly rent in my area (and that’s working full time, guaranteed 40 hours at well above minimum wage UGH) so saving up to move to a place where one bedroom apartments go for slightly less than $1300/month (not including utilities).  Unfortunately my complete inability to get along with the majority of the human race means roommates are an absolute last resort, but I should be out of the parents’ house by december or so…fingers crossed.