The Other Side of
Unemployment…
(a/k/a, Other Than No
Money, This Has Been the Best Year of My Life!)
By Jennifer Slater
I was laid off
from my job a few months ago and, although money has
been tight, this time off has given me unexpected gifts
I would have never experienced otherwise. Carefully
doling out my meager savings, rising to ‘power seller”
status on ebay, and learning the definition of ‘deferred
payments’ have all contributed to my survival while
continuing to send out mass emails of my resume. But it
dawned on me as I was raking leaves the other day that I
have enjoyed some of the most mundane activities since I
found myself on the outside of the rat race.
If you’re
currently unemployed, don’t despair – set aside a
certain amount of time for scouring the want ads, making
phone calls, and doing your share of worrying – but then
take a break from it. You are defined by more than your
role as provider, or by your occupation for that matter
-- there’s so much more. Don’t waste this opportunity.
What are some
things you’ve always wanted to do but never had time
for? Think of things you could do that would make your
life easier when you do go back to work. Here
are some ideas…
1. I
cleaned my house! And I’m not talking just hitting
the big spots – I mean really cleaned! It’s amazing
what can accumulate over the years when you’re squeezing
household chores between work, laundry, dinner and
sleep. I’m not saying my house looks like a model home
now - I still need a heads up if you’re stopping by –
but with 3 kids and 2 big dogs, I’d say the place looks
pretty darn nice!
2.
Tackle projects. Like anyone else I have a Honey-Do
list. The only problem is, I’m the only Honey in the
house, so between acting as bread winner, cook, chauffer
and chief bug killer, things didn’t always get checked
off that list. Until now! So far I have stripped
wallpaper, organized drawers, cabinets and closets,
built an awesome dog house, and refinished all of my
kitchen cabinets to go with the new paint job. I even
cleaned out and painted my garage and hung pegboard so I
have a place for all my tools other than the floor. No
wonder my house stays so clean now!
3.
Spend time with your kids. This one is right at the
top of my list. I actually went on a field trip with
one of my children without worrying about using up a
precious vacation day. When my daughter had a week-long
art project in addition to having to read a novel, I
read Dracula out loud to her every night while
she worked on her art. We play video games, lay around
and read, take walks, watch movies – why didn’t I do
this before?? Oh yeah, I was always working…
4.
I’ve become incredibly frugal. I actually take time
now to read the ads for sales and cut out coupons and
then plan every week’s meals accordingly. What a
concept! I honestly cannot believe the amount of money
I’ve saved. I’ve even traded coffeecakes, lasagna, or
other home baked goodies for trunk loads of firewood
with a guy at church who cuts down trees for a living –
really made a difference on my heating bill. Be
creative! And barter, barter, barter!
5. I
learned how to cook again. Shortly after I was laid
off from my job, my son came home to this mouth-watering
aroma wafting through the house and asked “Wow, what’s
for dinner?” When I told him pot roast, he looked
around the kitchen and asked where I hid the crock pot.
It dawned on me that my kids had never had pot roast
with brown crusty potatoes baked in an oven all
afternoon. They loved it! It became my mission to pour
through my cookbooks and spoil my children with home
cooked meals that I had never had the time or energy to
prepare. Do you like to cook, or wish you were a better
cook? Now’s the time to take it to the next level.
6. I
have become a master at Sudoku! Pathetic, you say?
I think not. Who will be laughing when the government
offers me a job as a secret code breaker. Never
thought of that, did you?
7. I
finished my book. Have you ever wanted to write a
book? This has been one of the most personally
rewarding gifts I have received during this drought.
After years of trying to complete a book I was writing
to help encourage, organize and motivate other single
parents, I finally finished it and have even launched my
own website. Now this could be something that
defines you! It feels amazing - you need to try it!
How sad that
some of our best dreams are rarely at the top of our
priority list as we fly through the self-inflicted
routine of our lives. And as one of my favorite authors
says, “Everyone is an expert at something.” (“From
Entrepreneur to Infopreneur” by Stephanie Chandler.)
What are you an expert at? What would you do if you had
all the time you needed (which, uh, you do right now…)
and you knew you couldn’t fail? Go for it! Write a
book or a manual, start your own business, work as a
dishwasher in exchange for free food at restaurants
across the country as you experience places you’ve never
had the opportunity to see while you were stuck in a 9-5
job (unless you have a family at home, then absolutely
do not do that last one.) All I’m saying is, while
you’re unemployed, sitting home being discouraged is not
the only option.
During this time
among the unemployed, I have truly come to appreciate so
many things in my life and been able to take advantage
of opportunities I’ve not had the time or energy to
enjoy. We all have so many gifts, open your eyes and
start seeing them! And get started while you’ve got the
time!
Submitted by:
Jennifer A. Slater,
freelance writer
Author: “Moxie! A Book for
Single Parents”
Founder:
www.theSingleParent.org
View All Articles from Business Info
Guide
Related Books:
BUSINESS IDEAS - HOME BUSINESS - START A BUSINESS
- SMALL BUSINESS - ENTREPRENEUR - BUSINESS STARTUP
