I am unemployed. It’s a very long time since I said that, in fact it would be nearly 20 years since I was unemployed but I’ve never been ‘let go’ before because there wasn’t enough work to keep my job afloat.
Six months ago I resigned from an organisation I’d been in for 16 years because I needed a fresh outlook and I wanted to do something different. In the back of my head I realised that it probably wasn’t the ‘safest’ option, but I did it anyway. After all, I figured, surely with the skills I’ve got I would get another job if it came to that and now I really hope it does.
I’ve got two weeks pay then a bit of annual leave and after that I’m on my own financially, apart from any government benefits I might be entitled to. I’ve no husband or partner that will help keep me afloat. It’s me. I’m the sole breadwinner.
Luckily I don’t lead an extravagant lifestyle. My cleaner will go but that’s the only luxury I really have that I will curtail. I will keep my iPhone and the monthly fee that goes with it, and I will also keep my broadband connection at home. Neither of these are really cheap but they are two things that will hopefully aid me in my job search.
I was surprisingly upbeat and optimistic about it all until last night when I started to feel sorry for myself. I felt kind of empty and a bit lost. I soon snapped myself out of it because it’s easy to think about others who are doing it harder than me. I read a status update of a friend on Facebook this morning from a friend who’s doing it pretty tough health wise. I recently reconnected with her via Facebook after about 25 years. She’s got serious health problems. She’s lost about 70kg of weight in the last few months and despite numerous doctor and hospital visits her condition goes undiagnosed. I can’t imagine how that feels. At least I have my health.
And there’s other stories I read that make me realise that temporarily being out of a job isn’t the worst thing that can happen in my life.
At the back of mind I”m slightly freaking out that I won’t get a job very quickly and I’ll have to exist on government benefits which I don’t want to do.
In the meantime I need to keep myself occupied during the day while my son’s at school which I am sure I will manage.
I haven’t commented on your blog for ages but felt moved to say that I’m sorry that the dramatic change of direction you took six months ago didn’t work out as you’d hoped. Keep smiling, keep blogging, keep positive (easier said than done when you have JJ and Monty dependent on your ability to bring home food for the table) and, above all, network as widely as possible. Common sense advice, I hope, but in the middle of the panic it’s hard to cling to (says me who lost my one regular piece of regular contract work!)
I know you will be ok. You are creative and clever. I can tell. I’ve been reading your blog for years. I am thinking of you and know those scary feelings of loss of security are challenging. I look forward to seeing what amazing thing is waiting for you. x
Oh Jen…I’m sorry about your job. But I just know you will be fine. I truly believe it all will work out for you…and probably for the better. Just do what you have control over…and keep faith in yourself and the fact that most things happen for a reason. Thinking of you with love… ~Joy
Thanks everyone for your lovely comments. I’ve replied individually but wanted to put here that I love the positive vibe I’m getting. I WILL get a job soon.
So sorry to hear that, Jen.
One thing I have learned of late, there really is a positive to most (note: most!) negatives. You just have to look like buggery to find it sometimes.
Hope to hear some positive news soon x
Oh Jen – just read this update – best luck in the hunt.
My advice – get your name on temp agency books – it is an opportunity to get some money, try new things and get feet in doors for all sorts of avenues you may not have thought of.