How do I do this? (Living alone)

My husband died 11 years ago. Since then, I've been raising our kids. They are all grown now, and are all moving out. Two are married now, one is off at college for one more year, one just graduated and is looking to move out.

I don't know how to live alone, and frankly I'm terrified. The idea of doing all the house upkeep and working by myself is overwhelming. I'm an anxious type and have never slept in this house alone. The house is starting to fall apart as it is, and I don't have enough money to pay people for all the things that need doing. But I don't know what else to do. My house is paid off, so selling and moving to an apartment seems like a stupid financial decision. (Downsizing isn't really an option in this economy, which is another whole issue -- right now I'm not even making enough money to maintain the house, but don't know where else I could move.) I don't want to get a stranger for a roommate. And the idea of selling and packing up all this stuff is overwhelming too.

I'm overwhelmed and terrified. I have never, ever, wanted to live alone. I know it's stupid, and that lots of people live alone. I just don't know how to do it.

What would you do? What did you do? Can you give me some fabulous success stories?