Trying to look for work, but...

[CatStarESP4]

I have not looked for work in 2 and a half years because I chose to go back to school and eventually back to grad school. I have a BA in Sociology (no, it's not Social Work). However, I spent a little over two years almost in vain trying to find work after dropping out of grad school. All what I get was a job that was let go after two weeks and several temp assignments (one lasted about a year) as a receptionist and assistant (neither of which I was really good at). Now circumstances have forced me to look for work and try to balance it with school and my writing. I don't have much experience beside those jobs and temping). Also, I am scared of going through this whole thing again, I don't think I could deal with this once more. How do I explain the gaps of my employment? Is anyone out there that is going through something similar to my predicament?