Being out of work and looking for a new job isn’t the most pleasant situation to be in. In fact it can easily become a real downer, especially when you are out of work for longer than expected.

I’m sure during this time we’re doing all we can to get our next role but it’s simply the fact of life that things don’t always work out when we want them to despite our best efforts.

So how can we look after ourselves during this phase? How can we keep our spirits up when we’re doing all we can to secure our next job but it still hasn’t come about.

Here are a few things that have been helping me to keep my spirits up during this season.

Connect with others

After some time, being out of work left me feeling isolated and alone. I no longer had a place of work and people to engage with regularly. As an ambivert, I am OK being alone but I have my limits. I decided to start looking for events to attend in the week. I attended some local events for business, as this had been something I wanted to explore. The events allowed me to learn, gave me some structure to my days and expanded my network. I also reached out to friends and like-minded connections. This meant I got to surround myself with people who could relate to my situation. This  made me feel much less alone. 

Volunteer  

Actively job hunting took up some of my time but I still had a lot of free time. I had an openness to use my skills to help others so I looked out for opportunities. I know someone who runs a local charity so I connected with her to see if there was any way I could help. This has been a great way to keep my mind occupied, use my skills and gain some new ones. 

Learn something new

I’ve spent time taking online courses and joining webinars to further develop knowledge related to my career and general interests. I’ve been doing a course on accessibility in web design, joined webinars about using AI and growing a business. It’s been a simple way to feel productive with my time and keep me up to date with my areas of interest.

Change your scenery

I really love a change of scenery. It does wonders to lift my spirits as I get to appreciate new surroundings. I have tried to get out and explore new places or my familiar favourites. I’ve taken day trips to another town or city. I go for a walk somewhere or visit a friend or family member in another area. 

Doing something to change my surroundings has helped me experience many moments of joy.

Get moving

I’ve found that staying active has been a great way to lift my spirits. I’ve been getting myself to the gym, taking classes and doing home workouts. I take myself for a walk or play some music and dance like no one’s watching. All of this movement has not only been good for me physically but is also a great mood booster.

Declutter

Clearing out the clutter in my home has helped me enjoy my space more and has made me feel more in control of my surroundings. I’ve also been able to pick out some items to sell which is helpful.

Count your blessings

When I feel low, I take time to remember and reflect on the many things I can be grateful for in that moment. It helps me focus on the present and not to worry about the hypothetical future. I can be thankful for what I have today.

I’m not sure how long this phase will last but I continually try to keep a positive perspective and make the best of this time. I may not have paid work in the way I expect but I know that I’m choosing to use this time in a way that is valuable. Worrying and stress won’t help me but doing these things to keep my spirits up has helped me find joy in my job hunt.

Keri x