Okay, so the issue should seem quite clear.... You are broke. You are
unemployed. You have a degree, which you loved, but it just doesn't
seem compatible to your current job search. And yes, the clincher, you have moved
back home -- maybe, because of the problems listed above... maybe, because of
personal reasons or financial reasons -- whatever the reason, don't dwell
on these facts and most certainly, don't give up.
I'll say it again, don't give up.
This blog post is written for all those folks who, like me, are going through a rough patch. My idea was to reach out and connect to an online community and form a space where we can support and encourage each other.
Whether you're spending hours and hours of job searching and applying, or if you're just getting started, it's easy for things to get you down.
I have had my share of days when I just didn't have the motivation to get up because quite frankly, I didn't feel as if it was worth it. And being in the situation that I am in, I have come to recognize that I've lost a lot of my own essence and passion, and even some of my self-esteem. Some people might not understand how being unemployed for just a few months can break you down, but hopefully someone out there will understand me.
It's rough!
Being turned down and receiving no responses, after you spend hours crafting a beautiful cover letter and finely tuned resume, is brutal. At some point during my job search, I began to feel as if having a job offer would validate me, my degree, and all the choices that I have made up to this point. And to some extent, it is true - it would be nice to have someone say, "Yes, thank you for applying. We believe that you, your experiences, and background would be an excellent fit for our company and we would like to invite you to interview with us." Or something like this. Quite honestly, I haven't received any sort of validation or response like this in a long time... So those are what I imagine the golden words to sound like...
In any case, it sucks. Pardon my frankness and inability to phrase it in a more eloquent manner, but it's hard to state it in any other way, other than, this situation sucks.
But...
At the end of the day, the person who should validate yourself most, is yourself. You are the only person who can fully understand your own personal experiences, talents, and skills. And yes, it may be hard to find that perfect job and career that fits you, but don't give up.
Maybe, there's no perfect company for you. Maybe, you need to be the entrepreneurial mind that begins this perfect company and job. Maybe, you haven't searched in the right direction and maybe, it's just out there waiting for you to find it. Maybe, you need guidance or some career counseling. Maybe, you have too many passions and just can't settle on what makes your heart beat the fastest. Maybe, it's the combination of all these possibilities.
Whatever it is, this is your time to fully embrace yourself.
If you have the fortunate opportunity to, now is the time to spend a little more time with your family -- ask your parents how they met, your mother's high school romances, your father's passions (I wasn't referring to the romantic ones, but you know, that works too)...
School -- Maybe, you should consider going back to school. I don't mean go straight to higher higher education (read: grad school, law school, business school, etc), because not everyone has that option or desire, but instead, possibly check out a local community college and take some courses. It's your chance to add technical skills, explore theater, and/or learn a new language.
Volunteer -- Yes, while this can help you pad your résumé and give you a chance to network... moreover, it is your chance to contribute back to your community; hopefully, build your character; and potentially, even find some hidden skill or specialty.
Network -- I have been told this so many times that it's killing me, but it's really true... networking really does help you out. So yes, reach out to friends, family, former employers, anybody and everybody, and see if they can help you out. Yes, it does sting the pride a little bit, and yes, it can be difficult, but you never know until you ask, right?
As for me, I am going to try to follow my own advice and commit to the above.
Meanwhile, my personal cure for those low-point days is to go for a walk/ run and chant to myself: "I am smart. I am beautiful. I am talented. I have potential. I am going to make a difference." I chant it over and over, pretty loudly sometimes, until I am able to feel like myself again.
The key element is to believe what you are saying. I believe it. I honestly, truly, 100% believe every word of my mantra.
The mantra means nothing and does nothing, if it's just words. Feel free to try out my mantra and tell me if my cure works for you. If my exact mantra doesn't work, try using some other positive phrases that you believe in.
There's something about the endorphins released when I have physical activity that also helps cheer me up. So, try to stay active, if you can.
I can't hope that everyone will like my piece, relate to my experience, or even sympathize, but hopefully, this connects to someone, on some level or another, and if you're out there and want to help me build an online community of support or just you know, not feel as if you are the only one alone in all this, please reach out :)
And remember: You are smart. You are beautiful. You are talented. You have potential. You are going to make a difference.
I'll say it again, don't give up.
This blog post is written for all those folks who, like me, are going through a rough patch. My idea was to reach out and connect to an online community and form a space where we can support and encourage each other.
Whether you're spending hours and hours of job searching and applying, or if you're just getting started, it's easy for things to get you down.
I have had my share of days when I just didn't have the motivation to get up because quite frankly, I didn't feel as if it was worth it. And being in the situation that I am in, I have come to recognize that I've lost a lot of my own essence and passion, and even some of my self-esteem. Some people might not understand how being unemployed for just a few months can break you down, but hopefully someone out there will understand me.
It's rough!
Being turned down and receiving no responses, after you spend hours crafting a beautiful cover letter and finely tuned resume, is brutal. At some point during my job search, I began to feel as if having a job offer would validate me, my degree, and all the choices that I have made up to this point. And to some extent, it is true - it would be nice to have someone say, "Yes, thank you for applying. We believe that you, your experiences, and background would be an excellent fit for our company and we would like to invite you to interview with us." Or something like this. Quite honestly, I haven't received any sort of validation or response like this in a long time... So those are what I imagine the golden words to sound like...
In any case, it sucks. Pardon my frankness and inability to phrase it in a more eloquent manner, but it's hard to state it in any other way, other than, this situation sucks.
But...
At the end of the day, the person who should validate yourself most, is yourself. You are the only person who can fully understand your own personal experiences, talents, and skills. And yes, it may be hard to find that perfect job and career that fits you, but don't give up.
Maybe, there's no perfect company for you. Maybe, you need to be the entrepreneurial mind that begins this perfect company and job. Maybe, you haven't searched in the right direction and maybe, it's just out there waiting for you to find it. Maybe, you need guidance or some career counseling. Maybe, you have too many passions and just can't settle on what makes your heart beat the fastest. Maybe, it's the combination of all these possibilities.
Whatever it is, this is your time to fully embrace yourself.
If you have the fortunate opportunity to, now is the time to spend a little more time with your family -- ask your parents how they met, your mother's high school romances, your father's passions (I wasn't referring to the romantic ones, but you know, that works too)...
School -- Maybe, you should consider going back to school. I don't mean go straight to higher higher education (read: grad school, law school, business school, etc), because not everyone has that option or desire, but instead, possibly check out a local community college and take some courses. It's your chance to add technical skills, explore theater, and/or learn a new language.
Volunteer -- Yes, while this can help you pad your résumé and give you a chance to network... moreover, it is your chance to contribute back to your community; hopefully, build your character; and potentially, even find some hidden skill or specialty.
Network -- I have been told this so many times that it's killing me, but it's really true... networking really does help you out. So yes, reach out to friends, family, former employers, anybody and everybody, and see if they can help you out. Yes, it does sting the pride a little bit, and yes, it can be difficult, but you never know until you ask, right?
As for me, I am going to try to follow my own advice and commit to the above.
Meanwhile, my personal cure for those low-point days is to go for a walk/ run and chant to myself: "I am smart. I am beautiful. I am talented. I have potential. I am going to make a difference." I chant it over and over, pretty loudly sometimes, until I am able to feel like myself again.
The key element is to believe what you are saying. I believe it. I honestly, truly, 100% believe every word of my mantra.
The mantra means nothing and does nothing, if it's just words. Feel free to try out my mantra and tell me if my cure works for you. If my exact mantra doesn't work, try using some other positive phrases that you believe in.
There's something about the endorphins released when I have physical activity that also helps cheer me up. So, try to stay active, if you can.
I can't hope that everyone will like my piece, relate to my experience, or even sympathize, but hopefully, this connects to someone, on some level or another, and if you're out there and want to help me build an online community of support or just you know, not feel as if you are the only one alone in all this, please reach out :)
And remember: You are smart. You are beautiful. You are talented. You have potential. You are going to make a difference.
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