My Unemployment Experience
I am currently unemployed. This came as a shock, although by the time it was my last day, I’d had about six weeks to realize that it was coming. In the end, I asked to be (mercifully) fired so I could at least collect unemployment while I was looking for another job — especially during the holidays — and that’s the beginning of my unemployment experience. My last day was November 17th.
I had grand plans “if ever” I had time off work. Now, I find myself with an abundance of time off, but initially a complete lack of direction. Day one of unemployment I sat in my tank top shorts and Uggs at my computer, pretending to find something to do, crying intermittently all day. I worked for an agency I cared deeply about and with people that I love. The end of that era was very bittersweet to me. I thought I had found my niche and I would be there until I retired. I had enrolled myself back in college specifically for this agency and these people that I cared so much about. Needless to say, when life changes there’s often a good reason. And most times something better is around the bend. I only had one day of a pity party and then I started doing what I do best. Creating lists. List of things that I want to do “if ever”. If ever I have the time. If ever I have the opportunity. If ever… And now “if ever” had arrived.
Day one of unemployment. The outfit. Sometimes during the day I’d get a little crazy and throw on my bathrobe Like someone who is retired, I have to tell you that going back to being a stay at home mom (after over a decade of corporate life) I find my days so filled I don’t get as much done as I would like. Then as a matter of going back to the drawing board, I’m prioritizing what’s important, checking off everything on the list every day. Sure, getting more cleaning done and surfing the net at my liege is great, but I need to focus on what’s important.
“If ever,” I said I would work on my book which I have started. I sent what I had, which wasn’t a lot, to a great woman named Corrine who I am blessed to be friends with. She actually made me work, which I didn’t expect, but I am eternally grateful for it. I’ve done every assignment she’s asked me to do in preparation to actually sink my teeth into this book that I’ve wanted to write for so many years. “If ever”, I wanted to change the platform of my blog, and with the help of my friend Jason I’ve started working on that as well. That’s been part of the reason I have written less, but not entirely.
I’ve been applying for jobs, sending my resume, going to interviews, having coffee dates, texting, and calling — all to get another job. I realize now that a couple of weeks have gone by, that I can continue to apply to jobs and take calls and coffee without deterring from other priorities. It’s a matter of making the most out of this gift of time I’ve temporarily been given. It’s during times like these that you realize who your close friends are and how much support you actually have and I am truly blessed.
A friend of mine named David asked me a year or so ago “if you could do anything you wanted what would it be?” I realized through this situation that that’s the wrong question to ask me, but it got me thinking in the right way. It isn’t about what would I do if I could do anything, I can get passionate about lots of things. The correct question is “who do you want to work with?”, not what do I want to do. So for now, I am embracing the opportunity I have to stay at home for a short time. I’m actively searching for the right tribe of people to work with, and I am remembering how blessed I am that I get to focus on “if ever”.
Originally published at https://www.momof18.com.
