Used with permission, Creative Commons: foreversouls
After 27 months of searching, and after responding to postings of almost 300 jobs, my unemployment ended yesterday.
The lessons I've learned during the time off may be varied in their practicality. But if you're out of work, I have some ideas for how you can fill up the time so you can avoid going stark raving mad.
- Spend time with your family
My daughter is 39 months old. My son is just over 6 years old. I've been home with her for 2/3 of her life, and about 1/3 of his. I wouldn't trade that for anything. Including a stable income. - Read a few good books
Learning something expands our horizons. Fiction. Non-fiction. Cookbooks. Whatever. Learn something new and think in a more-developed and creative way. - Pick up a new skill or hobby, or further develop an existing one
You might not get a Grammy, but you can learn how to use some music software and put together a few jingles you can be proud of. - Get some exercise
Go to the gym. Get on the bike. Chase the dog through the mud. Play Wii tennis. Something! - Don't lose heart
It's hard being unemployed. Surround yourself with positive people, folks who know you and can remind you of what you do well. Use networking and social media for your job search AND for maintaining your mood. And offer the same to others. - Blog
Blogging lets you articulate what you do well, establishing you as a contributor and leader in your field. It develops an interactive community of like-minded folks for mutual support and development. And it lets you keep your sanity.
These might not help you get a job. You should be trying to do that too. But they are decent ways to maintain your identity in case the wait is long.
Questions: What are you doing to pass the time? How are you feeling while you search?
Logging you in...
Jenny · 789 weeks ago
As of a year ago when I started martial arts and going to the gym, I also REALLY agree with the exercise thing. It is amazing for your brain as well as your body and keeps depression at bay. And I tell you this as one who only EVER wanted to sit and read in a cafe and felt like mowing joggers down in the road. If I can get moving, ANYONE can!
I would add one more thing to the list if you're unemployed for a long time. If you have a business idea, research it and begin to develop a business plan. They take a lot of time to write, and time is what you have when you're unemployed. Find out what support might be available in your community (eg low interest loans, free training, etc) if you were to launch a business. Educate yourself about risks and pitfalls, but take the attitude that they can be overcome if you are careful and tenacious. There are some good free business plan writing sites online; in Canada the Scotiabank one is amazing - it guides you through the whole process with interactive fields and turns it into a word document at the end for you to format and print yourself. I'm sure there are equivalents in the US.
I'm not saying it's for everybody, but after two years of work and research I started my own business online, and it's really satisfying! Not making much dough yet, but it's real and I'm proud of it.
Blogging, well, there ya got me. Oh my poor neglected blog. I will get back into it soon!
Jeffrey Holton 67p · 789 weeks ago
I think you modestly forgot to mention that you also built a storefront and opened up an establishment. With real books.
I'm looking forward to your blog! I love how you play with words and ideas and common sense and culture and social need.