When you find yourself out of work, there are a few things you need to do right away. Here are some things no one tells you about surviving the first 30 days of unemployment.
If you have recently lost your job, then you know how earth-shattering it can be. No one ever tells you how to cope, instead you just get advice on how to look for a new job, encouragement to expand your social network and polish up your resume.
See, the thing is, most of us never come up with a plan for dealing with this type of change. In fact, even when we can see it coming, it still is met with a mix of surprise, anger, disbelief and even grief. In Ariane de Boncoision's book The First 30 Days: Your Guide to Making Any Change Easier, she gives some great tips for anyone who is faced with a sudden change.
Here are some tips to deal with the first month after losing your job:
Give yourself some time – We live in a “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” society, but don't make the mistake of jumping right back into the job market immediately. You have just received a huge shock. Allow yourself a little time to deal with that so that you can objectively plan your next move. Once you have healed a little, you can decide what you want rather than just react.
You're next job may not be permanent either – You may end up having to take a job that isn't exactly what you wanted, and that's ok. There is always something you can learn from any experience and there is no shame in taking on freelance work or a part time job just to pay the bills while you are looking for the right job.
Enjoy a break – When you were working at your previous job, you probably didn't get the chance to relax or take some time off. So, take some time to celebrate your new freedom. There is nothing wrong with having some fun and throwing a party to celebrate your new found free time. Do all the things you have wanted to do. Sleep in, spend all day watching movies.
Use your health insurance – When you are working full time, finding time to schedule doctor appointments can be a challenge. Now that you have time, take care of all of the preventative healthcare you have been putting off, while you still have health insurance. If you there are medications you take often, find out if your insurance offers a discount pharmacy by mail option. Typically, these programs make your medication co-pay cheaper and give you a three month supply.
Know that something good can come from this – Even if it seems pretty bleak, know that losing your job might be a good thing in the long run. Write down the positive things and know that you will get through this. Life is an adventure, and you will change and grow through this experience in ways you never imagined and you will come out on the other side stronger.
Don't get swallowed by negativity – Resist the urge to tell everyone how unfair your situation is. The more often you re-tell your negative story, the more you start to believe it and become more angry, more bitter and more depressed. I know, it's so very tempting to vent about the situation but, if you want to heal and move forward, try to frame your story in as much positivity as you can muster. If you are going to repeat something over and over, let it be something that will make your life better.
What other tips do you think should be on this list? Let me know in the comments.
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By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for Administrativejobsblog. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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