Yes - Sarahsmum is right! - don't hesitate to see a professional. And do it as soon as possible.
Once you realize that it would take a miracle to set things right, you have to recognize that a miracle is unlikely, and summon up your courage to take action. It won't be as bad as you think.
Strangely enough, what you have already been through is worse than actually starting on the road to recovery by consulting an insolvency trustee. I know how it feels - I have recently filed a consumer proposal. You will find that the trustee is very helpful and non-judgemental. He or she serves the best interests of both you and the creditors, sort of like a referee. This takes much of the stress off you.
Yes, many of us have an initial struggle with ourselves, thinking, "am I the 'type' of person who goes bankrupt? Am I stupid/dishonest/weak/immoral?" You'll stop tormenting yoursel with this once you see a trustee and he treats you better than you have been treating yourself!
Remember, modern creditors (especially the major credit cards) know that their policies will drive a significant percentage of their customers into insolvency. Operating with such policies, they have deduced, makes them the maximum profit. For you, there is no reason to feel ashamed if you are one of the unlucky ones this happens to.
As my trustee has pointed out, creditors are the only businesses that, when you can't pay for what they've given you, simply give you more of it!
If you take action before your situation is bad enough, you may have the option of filing a consumer proposal instead of bankruptcy. Check out the information here on the Bankruptcy-Canada website, and meet with and ask a trustee.
Either way - proposal or bankruptcy - soon you will have things under control, the phone calls will stop, and your situation will be stable. Doesn't that sound nice? It's true.
Best of luck to all,
~Wendy
