Coping With Unemployment

Three months in and I'm still trying to navigate the idea of being unemployed. I've discussed before What To Do if You've Been Laid Off and the Benefits of Having a Daily Routine. However, there's a lot more depth to unemployment.

There is a huge mental impact on top of trying to keep structure in your daily life. During the pandemic, it's especially hard to find jobs in the creative field. In general, there aren't many job openings for a lot of positions due to social distancing measures and safety concerns. 

With more time spent at home it can be difficult to stay proactive. The unknown can be scary and it can also be easy to get trapped in all the "what if" scenarios. I know I've been caught in that trap before. So, here are a few things that have helped me cope a bit better during this weird time. 

Acknowledge Your Feelings

Know that what you're feeling is valid. Whether you're worried, frustrated, or simply just don't care, there is no right or wrong response. 

By acknowledging your feelings, you begin to put a stop to your internal struggles. Emotions are complex. However, the more time you take to process them, the more control you have over how to respond to such emotions. It doesn't always erase how you're feeling, but it does bring clarity to the situation. 

How do you sort through it all though?

Reach out to someone you trust. Problems always seem a lot bigger in your mind than they really are and a second perspective can help subdue and stabilize those worries. Places like NAMI and MHA offer free online resources and support.

If you're not comfortable voicing your thoughts to someone, try journaling. Writing down your thoughts can help untangle the emotions running around inside your head. Reflect back on everything you’ve written in order to better assess your feelings.

Create A Budget

Creating a budget will help you gain a better sense of control over your financial situation. Unemployment benefits will only last for so long. Just because you currently have money coming in, doesn't mean you should spend without thought.

Knowing that you are financially stable will remove the burden of money problems from your mind. Figure out what is necessary and what isn't. For the time being, cut out superfluous purchases and focus on the essentials. It's okay to treat yourself, but try to minimize those expenses. 

Don't Be Too Strict 

Having a schedule is nice, but don't be too hard on yourself if you don't always follow it. It's natural that some days will be slower than others. Odd factors might disrupt your schedule as well, such as disrupted sleep or emergency situations. 

Sometimes a little pressure is beneficial to pursuing your goals, yet putting too much pressure on yourself can harm your mental health. High amounts of stress will only lead to more anxiety and the inability to cope properly. Remove the guilt by having a more lax schedule. 

Practice Good Self-Care 

Yes, there is such a thing as bad self-care. Extreme forms of self-care such as constant exercise or over indulging are actually quite harmful since there is no rest or balance. 

Sleeping properly (if possible) and eating a healthy diet are key components to managing your anxieties. You need to take care of your body in order to take care of your mind as well. Good self-care will improve your mood and reduce internal struggles. 

Try taking a digital detox and focus on yourself for a moment. Start your day off with plenty of water and then pursue activities that will help you relax and bring joy to your life. Listen to what your body actually needs, which could very well be staying in bed all day. That is perfectly okay.

Try Other Hobbies 

Unemployment doesn't mean you can't have any fun. There is no point in wallowing in all the negatives. Sometimes you just need a distraction after all the constant job searching and adulting. There is nothing wrong with doing something for yourself in order to mentally recover. 

Never in a million years did I ever think I'd learn how to play Mahjong. Yet, I decided to give it a try just for the heck of it and found it to be super relaxing while also fueling my competitive spirit and utilizing my problem solving skills. It has made my days pass by way faster.

Here are 50 Things To Do At Home if you need a little help figuring out what to do. 

Stay Positive

I’ve said this countless of times: Stay positive! But what does that actually mean? You don’t have to be happy every single day, just know that there will be better days ahead. Positivity helps develop better coping mechanisms during times of crisis and how you respond to different situations. It stops the temptation to fall back into bad habits and pushes you to pursue healthier activities.

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Remember, everyone copes with tough situations differently. Don't compare yourself to how others seem to be doing. You never truly know what someone is going through.  

Wishing everyone the best during these uncertain times and for the future.