You learn a lot about yourself during your time of unemployment. Thankfully, you were not fired from your job, but were let go. While the situation isn’t necessarily ideal, there are several key motivational aspects that you can focus on in the meantime until you find a new job.
If you never learned how to cook before, you see this time as the perfect opportunity to do so. While you know you don’t have to, you find that it is a lot less expensive and very rewarding to be able to cook for yourself. Before, you found little time to squeeze in any time to try cooking. You finally can put to practice all the recipes you’ve pinned on Pinterest and all the ones you loved from your mom as you were growing up. Not only is this experience efficient in so many ways, but you feel accomplished during a time that you may find that feeling difficult to come by.
All those books you’ve always wanted to read and all the movies you’ve been meaning to watch, you’ve got some extra time for them now- after job searching and sending out your resume of course. Those stacks of books on your shelf that you’ve only slowly gotten through prior to your unemployment are now being breezed by. Then there are all the DVD’s you’ve borrowed from your friends and all the items in your Netflix lists and queue that are now viewed and finally returned. Sure enough you’ll have more easy conversation starters at hand.
Now, you also have more chances to see your family and friends. This is an excellent time to catch up with the important people in your life that it was occasionally hard to schedule some time with. The moment of not having a job is an opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones; who knows how long you haven’t seen them or when you will once again be squirming to see them. Take advantage. Furthermore, if you want to take this time to meet new people and add in a little more dating, go ahead, might as well check out all that’s out there.
Eventually, while unemployed you will see what lifestyle you became used to. You may have your unemployment checks, which are somewhat helpful, but they’re only a small fraction of what you made before. As great as it is being able to wake up a little later and have more of a social life, you realize how nice it was to experience a few more of life’s small or larger luxuries. More importantly, the security of a steady income is relaxing in itself. However, you can view this as motivation to work for what you want.
In essence, while you’re unemployed you may discover what it is you want out of your next job and other aspects of life. You have more time to reflect and think. Yes, job hunting is not easy and a job may not come as soon as you expected but you will discover what is worth it. More so, the challenges will open your eyes to new possibilities and teach you how to create your own purposeful days.
Image: Via Flickr/Rick Ligthelm
