What's this, another list-format post relating to unemployment? Yes, yes it is.
I will say, it feels a little weird to dole out advice on how to survive unemployment when I am still very much jobless. But the last 2 months have been nothing if not a learning experience. Here is what I've learned thus far about how to keep it together- physically, mentally, and financially.
1. Exercise a lot and clean your house on the daily. A lot of my unemployment-related frustration stems from feeling like I'm not fully in control over the direction my life is heading. However, I am able to control what I can do for my body and my surroundings. I can stay fit and keep the house from veering into condemned territory.
2. Hang out with employed people. As nice as it is to take mid-day bike rides and museum excursions with similarly unemployed friends, too much time together may not be great for morale. If you're both down in the dumps about your uncertain futures, it can be hard to stay positive. Make an effort to spend time with gainfully employed friends. Meet them for happy hour. Feel amused by the fact that you showered a mere one hour before.
3. Eat real meals. Invite a friend over to share them with you. Put your food on a plate. Sit at the table. You might not feel like a "real person" during the day, but goddammit you'll eat like one in the evening.
4. Create things. Even if you're not working, you can still produce things of worth. For me, that includes cooking new recipes, taking photos, and making notecards using drawings from vintage books (which I like to give as gifts). It's important to me that I feel like I'm being productive in some way or another.
5. Keep moving. Never let your feet get stuck in the mud. Go places- preferably in a car, because you don't have a lot of money. Throughout the past month, I've shuttled back and forth from DC to Massachusetts. Yes, those 9-hour drives through the congested Northeast Corridor are tedious and backache-inducing, but it feels good to stay in motion. Not to mention, spending time pond-side with my family in the woods that I love feels good too.
6. Lie on the floor for awhile in a sad, pathetic heap. But when you're done, don't forget to get back up and move on with your life.
I love that Dear Photograph site! I hope your pic makes it on there!
ReplyDeleteum, yes. i especially like the keep moving idea. getting my butt out of the house has been EXTREMELY helpful. speaking of...
ReplyDeleteI love number three, a lot :)
ReplyDeleteMay I add volunteering to this lovely list? Great way to utilize your gifts for the greater good.
Oh and and and...wear real clothes. Like pants with buttons and bras that aren't sports bras. And put them on before 10 in the morning.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! You're a very personable, intelligent person and something will absolutely come along. When I couldn't find a job with my degree, I went back to school to become a respiratory therapist. My husband did the same, went back for a post grad program at a local college to become a web developer. There are always options. You just have to keep an open mind. And sometimes any job (within reason of course) is better than no job. It's always a chance to network. Anyhow, best of luck to you Anna. I know you will surely succeed!
ReplyDeleteWhen bored or in doubt, call me. I'll always make time -- even if it's just making dinner. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post. I just found your blog, because I am in a similar situation and thusly spend a lot of time reading blogs. I'm going to take your advice to heart and most likely come back to your blog because your photography is beautiful and your voice is lovely!
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