It has been a month since I quit my job. I am someone used to the type of work that requires 40 hours a week. From that to transitioning to being between jobs can be frustrating and stressful. Being unemployed has brought a whirlwind of emotions that can be challenging. While this period can feel daunting, it can also be an opportunity for growth and reinvention. In this post, I will share what I have been doing while I am waiting for the next step in my career. If you are currently in the same boat as I am, this might help!
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| Photo by Pavel Danilyuk |
The anxiety I get thinking that I need to do something but I can't seem to get anywhere has me panicking sometimes. The fact that I need to earn something soon also brings another level of pressure to the situation. Even if I have enough money in the meantime, knowing that it is going to run out makes me nervous.
Several things helped ease the negative feelings of my unemployment. Keeping myself busy has been the best solution to it, and here are some of the things that help me ease that tension:
Learn Something New
All this free time is a great opportunity to learn something new. Take an online course or workshop. Learn a new language. Learn new skills that you can use in your future career.
Learning something new helps you to grow on a personal and professional level. You don't even need to take a class to do that. You can read and do your research to be able to gain new knowledge that can help you in the future.
I have been watching a lot of online videos on the industries I am interested in. I have started taking online classes to develop the skills I need to further my career. I have also started learning a new language from a mobile app. It doesn't have to be a full-time thing.
Taking an hour a day to learn can help you boost your self-confidence and gain skills to help you get a job. You have the time for it, so why not do it?
Freelance/Part-time Work
If you have concerns about earning money between jobs, part-time work can help. There are many freelance jobs online that you can do that do not need you to be working at a set time. You earn money and you still have the freedom to do other things. You can even look for a permanent job during your free time. Who knows, that part-time job may even be the way that leads you to your full-time work in the future! Just don't fall for job scams, there's a lot of that out there!
One thing that I like about part-time work is that it is a learning experience. You learn about different types of work and industries. It helps you learn what kind of work you want to focus on. As someone who has done one job and stayed in one industry for many years, this is something I am enjoying. I get to see what other jobs are about and what opportunities are out there that I would like to do.
Part-time experience can help you fine-tune your job-hunting. You can focus on the job or industry you prefer based on your experiences.
I am currently doing part-time work that only requires 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. On an hourly basis, the pay is miles away from what I used to earn. But I enjoy the simplicity in the work I do, there is less pressure than what I'm used to. This means I clock in and out without feeling much stress. I like that. It makes the rest of the day feel easier as I do other things that I try to focus on while I wait for that next opportunity.
Update Your Resume and Prepare for Job Interviews
You can use this free time to update or improve your resume. You can take the time to practice and prepare for job assessments and interviews. You can also do your research on the companies you prefer and have applied for.
Take the time to read up on the types of jobs you want. You can then devise a plan to prepare yourself to be the best candidate for the job.
Indulge in Hobbies and Side Projects
When I was working, I had a lot of hobbies that I was hardly able to do. There were many side projects that I always wanted to have but did not have the time for. Having free time means having the chance to finally do the things that I wanted to but couldn't. It is also a chance to see if any of my hobbies and side projects could lead me to what my next career path should be.
It's only been a month but I have been working on this blog and focusing on other creative pursuits. They have been very fulfilling and I want to explore these things more while I have the time.
Part of me hopes I can do these things full-time. Now that I am not employed, I can try and see if that is something that I can do. These interests are things I love doing and I want to see if doing it full-time would be workable for me.
Take Care of Your Physical and Mental Health
Having this free time is an opportunity to take care of your health. Take the time to work out. Plan out how you can eat healthier and take care of yourself better.
This is also the time for self-care to improve your mental health. Being able to take care of yourself now that you can will only lead to good things. Think of how much better you would feel when you are healthy both on a physical and mental aspect. That would mean that when you finally start on your new job you would be refreshed and recharged.
Take Care of Your Money
One of the things that I did before I resigned was to prepare my financials. I had my debts paid and made sure I had enough to survive for at most a year. For financial security, one of the things that I am focusing on is taking care of my money.
For me, this is about budgeting everything. I have made a plan for the money I have for now. It's about knowing where and how I spend it. It's about asking the question: How I can earn more from what I have and add on to that while I am unemployed?
I am looking at several options to earn my income between jobs. I want to stretch my money longer if I do not get a new job right away. Anyone who is between jobs needs to be able to take responsibility for his or her money during this time. Better to be safe than sorry. Manage your funds!
Relax!
I have been working nonstop for years. Now that I'm not, it's like I don't know how to relax. It's weird to say, but the hardest thing to do is to do nothing. It's true. I can't keep myself idle. My mind keeps running with ideas when I try to make time to relax and do nothing.
Trying to relax is something that I am learning about during this time. I hope that when I do get back to the regular grind this is something that I can still do when I want and need to.
Not having a job can be challenging. And the time waiting for a positive response to your job applications can make you wonder what else you can do.
Instead of thinking that this period is excruciating, you can use the time to be productive. Explore all your options. Do the things you have always wanted to do. Learn, grow, and enjoy this time while you can. That way you can make the best decision on the next steps you take. It could be to another job, becoming a full-time freelancer, or starting your own business. The important thing is to make the most out of this freedom while it is here. You never know where it may lead you!
If anyone out there is in the same stage of life, feel free to share your experience with me in the comments section. Let me know if the things I have shared are things you are willing to try while you are between jobs. If you have any other ideas or suggestions, let me know. I would love to hear them!
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