Unemployed. What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do
It’s hard to keep yourself from slipping into a funk when you are unemployed and uncertain about the future, but you can look at your situation from a different perspective.
If you do what you love, you’ll stumble on ways to make money. We each have skills that other folks need. I prefer to have many irons in the fire, and so I free-lance under a half dozen hats. Even if you have just one solid skill, you can market yourself within your community and other organizations.
If you’re a blue-collar person or a handy-person type, advertise your skills in community and senior centers and on classified sites, such as Craigslist. Office workers can use their skills by offering to type for college students and others who don’t have computer access. Don’t forget desktop publishing. Individuals and organizations still need folks to create promotional media. Are you a corporate type? Check with your local Small Business Administration on mentoring small businesses. For the free-spirited types, there are those still in the work force who need babysitters, errand-runners, housekeepers and personal assistants. The trick is to use your skills and talents creatively.
While you’re searching for things that you love, you can pass the time with family to make up for all the time you didn’t have the time. Having time means unhurried visits, sharing home-cooked meals and updating photo albums. You now have time to rekindle bonds that got smothered by the eight to five obligations.
Another way to do “anything” is to learn a new skill, take on a hobby, or study a subject you’ve always wanted to learn. There’s plenty of free material on-line and at the local library. If you’d like to develop a craft or hobby, you can find inexpensive materials at dollar stores and thrift shops. Whatever it is, love what you’re doing.
The key to surviving unemployment from an emotional and mental level is to stay in the flow. Do what makes you happy! If you feel the need to take a nap, do it. You’ve spent countless hours on the job, you deserve to rest. And with rest, comes a second wind to do what you love and to find peace of mind and fulfillment in each day.
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