Post # 1
Member
1379 posts
Bumble bee
To make a very long story short I have been in a management development rotational program with my company for nearly two years … as the program ends it is expected that you get "slotted" into a permanent management position … well as you can imagine by my title – there are no positions available within the company right now and as much as they want to, they are unable to keep me as an employee. It really stinks, but they laid off 350 people in January, so it isn’t completely shocking and it was nice I was able to stay employed until now.
With all that said – and besides the obvious – "Find a new job" (which I plan to work really hard to do!) – what advice do you have for me? I’m a little nervous to have long days to myself. Also my fiance is really busy at work right now and has been coming home later which is totally fine right now, but if I am going to be home all day, it’s going to make the late nights even later!
I do plan to exercise more, which is a good thing, and to cook really nice healthy meals … but I just don’t see that as being totally fulfilling. I had mentioned another post about volunteering, but I am afraid to get into something knowing I have to drop it as soon as I find a new job. I just fear I will be sitting around the house watching TV and playing around on Weddingbee (I guess that’s not too bad!) …. but what do you all suggest? Are any of you unemployed? How has it been? Has it been hard with your fiance? I know mine fully supports me, and I will be getting a severance and obviously unemployment … but still it will be weird not contributing as much as I usually do to things. Everything I can think of to keep myself busy is going to cost money! Money which I shouldnt be spending too much of if I am not working! Any and all advice welcome!
Post # 3
Member
676 posts
Busy bee
I’m sorry to hear that Humarockbride! I hope you find a new position soon.
Its tough being unemployed but fortunately my Fiance is supportive and knows how hard I’m working to find a new job.
To keep yourself busy, other than job searching, are there things you can do around the house? I painted some walls and furniture, cleaned out all the closets, steam cleaned the carpets, worked on the garden etc. Its not all that fun but those are things that have to get done and take a fair amount of time, it gives you that feeling of being productive! I also got a part-time job to keep me busy a couple days a week. I work out more and read more, I also do watch a fair amount of TV though and get quite bored.
Good luck with your job search!
Post # 4
Member
624 posts
Busy bee
Sorry you are having to deal with this 🙁
I would try to set a schedule or keep your routine (getting up, eating lunch at a certain time, going to bed) that you have now for the most part. I would consider volunteering at something you love, take continuing education classes that are pretty cheap or some other type of class to keep you occupied and have social interaction.
Post # 5
Member
635 posts
Busy bee
Yes, definetly keep a routine – otherwise, days get can tedious really quickly, and you don’t want depression or anything like that to sneak in 🙁
Post # 6
Member
1205 posts
Bumble bee
I think your plan to cook is good – I was unemployed for 3 months and really tried to make things as nice as possible for my Fiance so that we weren’t wasting money eating out. I spent time sprucing up the house, doing all those things that get pushed aside when you’re tired after work, making nice meals at home, etc.
I also picked up some babysitting and petsitting gigs.
Good luck on the job front – hopefully your company can place you, or your training will pay off for another company. ((hugs))
Post # 7
Member
952 posts
Busy bee
Like others have said, keep a schedule, or it’s very easy to fall into laziness! I’d also make sure to hit up the library so you have plenty of reading material!
Post # 8
Member
390 posts
Helper bee
I am experiencing some of this right now because I won’t start working for another month. Like Sparkle, I recommend doing all those things around the house that you may have been putting off. (If your house is anything like mine, then you may be able to organize a trip to Goodwill or a yardsale.) There are lots of places you can look to volunteer a few hours, even if it is only temporary. Nursing homes, hospitals, and Boys and Girls Clubs are always looking for volunteers around here. I’m even doing some babysitting for a friend to give her a much needed break. (I really want to help at the hospital in th NICU as a "holder," but unfortunately, the wait list for holding the babies is LONG!) Maybe you can pick up a new hobby and learn something new that you haven’t had time for before? Good luck with your search!
Post # 9
Member
133 posts
Blushing bee
I have been unemployed for almost 5 months now, so I completely understand where you’re coming from! My Fiance has been very supportive, so that’s been great.
Coming from a place where I had no time to myself to all my time to myself was pretty shocking. But the usual bout of wedding planning, looking for places to volunteer, etc started to take up a lot of my time. Yes, having a regiment of exercise and a schedule is completely helpful but I think more than anything it gave me a chance to figure out what I wanted to do and what things made me happy.
I caught up on just about a million books. Well, 9 and counting! Did things around the house that I would have otherwise never gotten done (hung photographs, etc), and tried to reach out to my friends whom I had not seen in a while. In the end, a friend of mine and I have decided to go out on our own and start our own business!
Good luck with your job search! The girls on the Weddingbee are here to support you if you need anything! Feel free to PM if you want too!
Post # 10
Member
1379 posts
Bumble bee
Wow! I go away for 30 minutes and look what I get! Amaaaazing advice.
Thanks for all the good luck wishes girls!
@sparkle – I think I am definitely going to have a VERY clean condo! Our space is pretty small right now so there isn’t a whole lot to redo — but keeping it clean and organized is definitely in the plans.
@pendola – I am such a creature of habit, I think that making a schedule will be totally necessary. Day get started at 9am – work out for an hour – job search til noon – etc etc … check back in with job search at 4pm … schedule schedule schedule!
@gilneas – I am def a little scared I will get lonely and sad … I am going to have to visit my little cousins and/or offer to do some babysitting for people so I can be social and not turn into a sad hermit!
@mary-alice (and sparkle) – If I am on unemployment, can I still get a side job/babysitting job? Also – any food blogs you suggest? I am not the best cook as of right now, but I’d love to become one!
@budgetbeautiful – I am so excited to read out in the sun, I guess it could be worse, I could be unemployed in February and stuck inside.
@MyFavorite – I think my hobby is going to become DIY for the wedding! I really wasn’t planning to do much DIY, but now that I have this time — why not right?!
Post # 11
Member
1379 posts
Bumble bee
@missprettypink — that is SO exciting for you! I am actually thinking the same things right now. This is a really good time in my life to take a time out and reevaluate everything that’s going on in my life. I will be spending more time on the wedding, but a lot of that will be in writing the ceremony, which I can’t wait to actually have time to do. And then to take the time to realize what it is that brings me joy every day. Thanks for the outreach, you may be getting a PM 🙂
ps — What is your new business?!
Post # 12
Member
624 posts
Busy bee
Food blogs: http://bakerella.blogspot.com/
I just came across this but they don’t seem to update too often but the posts and pics are amazing and addicting!
Post # 13
Member
203 posts
Helper bee
My Future Sister-In-Law got laid off in October. She is freelancing from home but has not full time job. She says the thing that has been helping her the most is sticking to a schedule. She gets up when her Fiance leaves for work, they have breakfast and she goes about her day. She sets time aside to take a break from job searching/ freelance to exercise and tries to make social plans she can afford to get out of the house. She also confessed to me it isn’t so bad when planning a wedding!
I’m so sorry about your job loss. Best of luck in searching. I can tell you right now i wouldn’t mind not having to go to work =) I’ve got so much to do!
Post # 14
Member
1379 posts
Bumble bee
pendola – adding that to the blog reader, but also def going to check out the archives! YUM
@sarsk – agreed, a bunch of my friends are like "perfect timing, now you can get all that wedding stuff done!!" always have to look at the glass half full. I wish I had a talent I could "freelance" … other then writing on Weddingbee boards, I’ve got nothing 🙂 ha.
Post # 15
Member
2470 posts
Buzzing bee
I’m unemployed (by lay off) and here is my advice:
If you qualify for unemployment apply as soon as you possibly can so in your case 8/1.
Try to find a parttime job in your field. This will keep you relevant in your field.
If you can’t find a part time job in your field, try to get something in retail or restaurant. The extra few bucks will save you a headache later on.
Talk to your Fiance. In my situation Fiance and I moved across the country as he got offered a new job the week after I got laid off. He has been AMAZING. I haven’t paid rent since I came out (which I hate) and he has been so supportive.
Apply for every job that you are the slightest bit qualified for… you never know what opportunity lies ahed. Also, if you went to college, see if their is a alumni network throught the career development center. Use it.
Make a list of where your money goes now. Cut it in half. Don’t go to the mall to window shop and try not to online shop/browse. Make grocery lists and stick to them. Don’t throw you money into a daily Starbucks, ice cream, soft pretzel, etc.
Stick to a schedule. I still wake up between 7 and 8 am (don’t sleep in and laze all day). Set goals "I will apply for 4 jobs today" or "I will make three industry contacts this week". Join Linked In.
Go for walks. Honestly, this has kept me sane! There are going to be days where you need to get out of the house and cool off… do it with exercise, not with shopping or driving!
Stay optimistic! You aren’t alone in this by any means… there are so many of us on the Bee who are in a similar situation!
Post # 16
Member
3331 posts
Sugar bee
I think it sounds like you’re taking a really good perspective on this situation. Looking at it as a time to reevaluate your life and situation is smart. I second (or third or whatever) what everyone else said about getting yourself into a routine while you’re not working. I’ve never been unemployed, but one summer I took classes full-time, but had a day off. I found if I didn’t make myself get up and run errands, etc, then I was lazy all day!