what am i doing wrong?

It seems to me anymore, the harder I try the deeper the rut I'm in gets. I get laid off only to find the worst job I've ever had that I am now stuck in because I cannot afford the time off to interview elsewhere. I got a Masters at the height of a depression when there are no jobs to be had. I try to find someone to share my life only to be reminded through one blind date after another why I am single. I always believed if you want something badly enough drive and effort will get you there. Anymore drive and effort cause me to lose ground. I try and work with my kids dad only to have him choose his girlfriends kids over them time and time again. My kids cry about their dad and he couldn't care less. I'd be amazed if he even remembers Patricks birthday this weekend. I'm so frustrated at this point I play with the idea of cashing in my IRA and moving away and starting over somewhere else. But I can't take that way out either because its a bad idea for the kids. I have to do what's best for them. So I end up feeling stuck. I have gotten a little lost and don't know how to find my way out. I see people around me slowly but surely getting somewhere and I can only ask myself what I'm doing wrong. Surely they have something or do something that I am not. What do they know that I don't? What mistake am I making that I can't see? Why can't I get it right? I try and try but all I do is tread water. I know I should be grateful for what do have but I can't always see it. I have to wonder what I'm doing that's not working. I wish I understood the purpose of this. .