Career change after a layoff, where to begin? - any advice?

After 9 years as a procurement assistant I am thinking about moving into a different field. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. My family is supportive but nervous. Has anyone made a similar move?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 3 months ago, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.