Surviving Unemployment

First, the good news. I am longer unemployed. I landed what I hope will be the last full-time job I’ll ever have before I retire.   

Last year however, I was unemployed for nine months which felt like forever, following a ten year period of full-time employment.  When it happened, I became a part of the 10 percent of Americans who were out of work. It was not a hopeful time for finding another job and fear moved into my life like an unwanted tenant. 

It was a particularly warm April when I first lost my job, and I was grateful that I could enjoy the weather and be outside.  Moving about my day with no time constraints or anywhere in particular I had to be, I felt like a voyeur looking into life on the “other side” of employment.

Everything had changed, from the clerks in the supermarket, to the sunlight that shined inside my shower. You would think this kind of freedom would be something to relish and enjoy while it lasted, but the truth is, I never really did relax. The stress of having to find a job soon, or face dire financial consequences, was always in the forefront of my day. My brow had developed creases. The only thing I could do to combat my fear, was to get down to the business of finding work while surviving unemployment.

The first thing I did was read up on “how to find a job."  This being the 21^st century, the process has changed dramatically and I found I had a lot to learn. Each day, Monday through Friday, I dedicated my entire morning and often part of the afternoon, following the guidelines I had been taught, to find a job. When I was finished “working," I allowed myself the liberty of doing whatever it was I wanted to do. 

I spent a lot of time at the beach and had a killer tan by the end of spring. I cleaned up my yard and planted a garden by the end of April, and worked so physically hard, I dropped 5 pounds without blinking.  This unfortunately turned out to be only a brief phenomenon.

I also took good care of myself. I walked often to combat the occasional depression that is a normal part of the job loss. I contacted some close friends I never seemed to have time for and made time to visit them. I cooked often and made some outrageously delicious meals. One afternoon I bought, shucked and made three dozen baked clams oreganata which I devoured before any of my family made it back into the house (that was the plan). 

I practiced having faith. My old job had, at the end, turned out to be a nightmare. I would have left it before being let go, had I found another job sooner. When I left, I already knew I was in the middle of something good. I just had to keep practicing believing that is was true.  Not easy.   

The experience enriched me in many ways. Among reaping the rewards of perseverance, strength and courage, I learned I was a skilled and valuable employee. This happened while reviewing the job description for the job I now have. I decided at the time I was not qualified enough to apply for it.  A friend told me that this was not true.  So I applied. I was qualified. I was the best person for the job.

is a well-known singer/guitarist performing acoustic rock music in vineyards and restaurants on the weekends. She is also an avid gardener and walker who tries not to miss a day on our beautiful back roads.