Hi DiaK,
I am in a similar situation. My previous department was dissolved and I was merged in with another department. And while I fully appreciate the fact that I managed to hold on to a job, and didn't have to take a pay cut to keep it, I feel totally unfulfilled in my current job. It's not that I work with "bad" people now, it's just that it's not the right "fit", even after two years of making every effort to make it fit. This is the first time in my working life that I've been unsatisfied with my performance review, despite giving it my all. I'm very frustrated. Like you, I lost a job I love and now have a job that pays the bills and I count the days to my next day off. Sure, I'm lucky to have a job, but when it feels like that job is sucking the life out of you, you need to consider that as well.
The job market is bad, yes, so I've been keeping my nose to the grindstone and uh, staying out of trouble to the best of my ability. I've also been keeping my eyes and ears open for other opportunities, including getting the word out among trusted former coworkers that I'm "considering other options".
There is hope. I actually have an interview tomorrow for a position I think I will be excited about, something more in line with my natural talents, thought processes, and basic personality. It took a long time to find it, so keep looking. Think of other businesses/industries/fields where you can transfer your abilities. Think of your current position and what you might be picking up from it that could lead to something else.
Finally, find something in your personal life to give you some joy. We are so used to defining ourselves by what we do to earn a living that it can be hard sometimes to look beyond that, especially when we're not happy doing it. Remember who DiaK is outside of her working day and be extra nice to her!
