I've got a few years on you, and work in the tech field. Had been working 5AM-11PM for several months straight when my boss needed a fall guy - lucky for me I beat him to the punch and got a little severance in the process. But yeah - VERY hard to get a job at this age, even with a couple decades experience in the very thing they were looking for...

I did manage to land a new job before I left the old one - but can't tell you how many hundreds of resumes I sent out with very little enthusiasm reciprocated. Literally was told they "wanted someone with more direct experience". (I started in my field when the Director of the dept was in grade school...)

Freelancing is tough - hope you are able to enjoy the benefits!