Looking for a job, and not finding one for an extended time, is nothing if not frustrating. Trying to stay sane becomes a job in and of itself. Here are some tips on how to ease your mind and stay active while in between jobs.
8. Treat Your Search Like a Job
Schedule a certain part of every day to searching, and stick to it. This way you will not only be sure you’re contributing to the search everyday, but also you’ll have time scheduled in to just relax and not worry about it. And you’ll also then have the time to do the other things on this list.
7. House Work
Now you’ll have time to do projects around the house. They’ll not only improve your abode, it’ll also keep you active rather than just wasting away in front of your favorite TV. Create a garden, replace the cabinets, paint a room. Install a fence to keep your German Shepard from trying to herd the neighborhood children.
6. Cozy Up to Your Public Library
This is my favorite thing to do while unemployed, catching up on all the books you assured your friends you’d read. It keeps your mind active, and you can also read books about your field, keeping you informed and up-to-date even though you don’t have a job there at the moment.
5. Volunteer
Volunteering is another great way to stay in the working mindset. Plus you get that warm, fuzzy, kitten-sleeping-on-your-lap feeling from helping other people. Or you can volunteer at a company in your field, providing you with experience and networking opportunities while you wait for the paying gigs to fall your way.
4. Exercise
The God-given stress reliever. Pounding weights regularly will keep you in a good state of mind and help to keep you from getting depressed. If your budget prevents you from going to a gym, go for a run. It’ll also give you more energy for the other things you do during your day.
3. Indulge in a Guilty Pleasure
This is to keep you from getting too down. Everyone has a guilty pleasure. Maybe it’s raw cookie dough or Dr. Pepper. Wait, that’s me. Maybe it’s playing old Super Nintendo games. Find something cheap and simple that you know will give you a little pick up every time, and keep it close. It’ll help you bridge this gap.
2. Start Your Own Business
No one seems willing to employ you? Then employ yourself! If you’ve ever had a business idea, or have always wanted to open a t-shirt business, or a flower shop, or a consulting service, you owe it to yourself to try. And if you need a job, you don’t have an excuse not to.
1. Research New Places to Live
Personally, I’m sick of Chicago winters. Maybe you live in Buffalo and would like to see more sun, like me. Or you’re fed up with the East or West Coast lifestyle and would like to make a home in the cozy Midwest. You’ve always talked about how you want to live for a year in Paris, right? Excite yourself about getting a new job by seeing where you could start a new lifestyle, and put the job search effort in to make it happen!
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