I thought not having a job would kind of be like summer vacation but so far it's not. With summer vacation you know exactly when it's going to end and what you're going to be doing afterward. But, so far, being unemployed is this interminable stretch of time in front of me. I don't know what's next or when it will come. Maybe this freaks me out so much because I need too much control in my life but I don't think so. I think I'm TOTALLY normal for being unnverved by the unknown. You would be too.
Here's some things I've been doing since leaving my job:
1. Go to a coffee shop every day. This give me a chance to leave the house, a reason to get dressed, usually a short walk, and coffee! Also I bring a book or crossword or The Stranger so I have something to do. And if the barista is nice I have someone to talk to.
2. Mess around with my hair. So far I've gotten bangs and touched up my color. Plus I've learned that my hair IS long enough to french braid (yay!) and I can look just as cute as Whitney on The City if I do one of those twisty things.
3. Make a to-do list. This kind of accomplishes a few goals because it helps me get organized, takes up at least 10 minutes, and then I can cross off things I do during the day and feel really productive. Here's a sample to-do list:
Call Rico, the insurance guy
Send that email
Go to Fred Meyer
Empty the dishwasher
Take a shower
It's good to put little tasks on to-do lists because you feel better when you can cross a lot of things off in one day.
4. Watch TV online. This one is dangerous because it can eat up most of the day and it accomplishes almost nothing. But so far I've watched every season of 30 Rock, re-watched the first season of Project Runway, caught up on Grey's Anatomy from this season (Denny again? Seriously.), and watched every webisode of Quarterlife, this weird online show about a 20something who blogs about her life. Hmm...
That's what I've done so far. It's been almost 2 weeks without a job and we'll see how much longer it lasts. Thanks for reading and feel free to comment if you want.
Annnnn
Ann,
ReplyDeleteStefanie Watson here. Believe it or not, I've been jobless for more than two weeks also. It's lame.
But amazingly enough, you're doing so well at it. Instead of being productive and getting out into the world, I've been going to bed around 2am and sleeping in until noon! I apply for jobs online and spend WAY too much time on Facebook 'stalking' people.
Maybe I need to take some tips from you. You're already the #1 unemployed person in my book. Keep up the good work! (and let me know if you find any leads on jobs :)
Google Reader is a great way to consume a lot of news content quickly. Give it a shot if you need another way to waste time efficiently.
ReplyDeleteI've subscribed to your blog so I'll be reading (or at least skimming) everything you write if that helps your motivation.
shit, i've been jobless for a lot longer than two weeks. I dont loathe it though. Actually, it's really kind of nice although it would be nice to have a little work now and then (to pay for rent).
ReplyDeleteI too spend far to much time on the internet. I read books, watch films, write, take pictures, watch the weather change, hike, bike, walk, meander and sometimes try (unsuccessfully) to get lost in my own town.
I have a lot of time to hatch up schemes for what i'm going to do after i make a little money (like buy a camper van and live out of it for a while or get a plane ticket and head to New Zealand for a spell).
It's not so bad being unemployed right now. Hell, the next couple of years in America seem to promise unemployment for many more than just a few. At least we wont be alone.
Anne, as far as Grey's goes - Denny Lives!
ReplyDeleteso I am no longer unemployed as of tomorrow (me and Obama start the same day), but I have been unemployed for six months - too long. Maybe I'll hear the story of why you left someday when I'm in town.
Hey girlfriend. You've inspired me.
ReplyDeletehttp://thiswasreallyhappening.blogspot.com/