Well, there’s no longer a job to go to everyday and suddenly there’s an additional 40 hours in the week. Possibly more if a commute was involved. Here’s a list of things to do while unemployed.
- Look for a job
- File for unemployment benefits
- Evaluate all expenses and decide if cuts are needed
- Polish up that LinkedIn profile and other professional/work related websites
- Go to the gym
- Go for a walk
- Go for a bike ride
- Set a daily/weekly schedule
- Let people know of your availability for work
- Look for temporary jobs
- Learn to cook better (eating out might not be an option without a paycheck)
- Go to the grocery store
- Clean the house/apartment from top to bottom
- Clean out the car
- Clean the outside of the car
- Clean out the purse/backpack/messenger bag
- Clean up emails
- Clean up phone contacts/address book
- Clean up text messages
- Write in a journal
- Mend the buttons, hems and seams that kept getting put off (after all there’s no paycheck for new clothes)
- De-fuzz sweaters
- Cull out clothes, shoes, coats, gloves and the closet in general.
- Make a list of things to research at the library
- Go to library
- I got laid off in the fall – so maybe address those Christmas cards now
- Clean out the garage
- Clean out the kitchen pantry and cabinets
- Research classes to take (hobbies, computer skills, maybe look into that degree program)
- Enroll in classes
- Do it yourself manicures, pedicures and facials
- Invite friends over for a pot luck and game night
- Learn how to use those social media tools
- Learn how to use the computer/phone correctly
- Read – anything
- Clean out the sock and underwear drawer
- Take a shower a couple of times a week
- Finish that project – whatever it is
- Work on hobbies
- Back up the computer files
Notice the absence of watching anything on this list? That’s deliberate. In the past, when I’ve been unemployed, I’ve had the tv on nearly non-stop and that was before the era of streaming really hit it’s full-strength. Watching tv, or binging shows, can really sap my energy and productivity. In my situation, I worked during the day, so I didn’t know how highly concentrated commercials are toward unemployed people, elderly and those with small children and it ended up feeing my depression. This time around, I haven’t really had much of a desire to watch tv which is nice, but I’m also very aware that it can have a bad effect. I have been enjoying some Friends reruns while eating lunch, but usually only watch one episode then shut it off. It’s a nice quick break.
I’ve got a temp job, so I’m not doing a lot of things on this list these past working and looking for a job, but writing them down as helped combat the deepening depression that’s creeping up on me. Maybe I’ll take my own advice and check on number 29. There are plenty of free instructional things on the internet that I’ve wanted to look into further.
