Monday, Aug. 16, 2010
By PAULA SIROIS - Deals.com
If you're unemployed you probably fall into one of two categories: 1. totally flipping out 100 percent of the time, completely overcome with fear and worry and grief and anger. Or 2. totally flipping out 90 percent of the time, completely overcome with fear and worry and grief and anger and spending the remaining 10 percent of the time curled up in a fetal position crying. Okay, understandable. But you can (and should) try to find a new approach to handling your temporary break from work. Why? For your sanity, for your family and for yourself, you need to find that positive spin. Here are some new ideas you may want to try:
1. Helping helps: Ask anyone who volunteers and they will tell you hands down that helping others has helped them more. I promise you it's like the world's best drug. The adrenaline rush you get from that warm belly feeling of helping someone else is overwhelming. It's hard to believe that everyone isn't just knocking down doors begging to volunteer. It's addicting and wonderful and the good feelings last for some time. Talk about a natural high. Not only do you feel empowered and strong and capable of anything when you volunteer, but you actually end up doing the same for someone (or many someones). Plus, it takes your mind off your own personal worries and helps you focus on the bigger picture (and bigger problems) in life. Your temporary job gap is nothing compared to homelessness or serious illnesses or abuse. Go out and help yourself while helping others.
2. Dream it: Think back to when you felt inspired with ideas. Maybe in high school or college, when the world was yours, you had some dream ... some fantasy ... some goal. You wanted to own a bakery or you wanted to be a fireman. But life got in the way, as it always does. This free time may be your only opportunity to pursue those dreams. Maybe this is your time ... at last. Sit down with your family and talk about the reality of what you wanted back then ... and what you think could be possible now. Maybe the entire family joins hands and effort and resources to get you that little bake shop around the corner?
3. Clean it: This is a fresh start for you. A new job will eventually appear and with it, new coworkers and new responsibilities and a new world. How about taking advantage of your time and help set the stage for that new life with a new home? I don't mean move. I mean spring clean and makeover. Yes, the whole thing from top to bottom. Start cleaning and start moving things around. You don't have to spend a dime, in fact, you will probably find so many things you could donate or sell for some quick cash. Not only will you be paving the way for a new life, you might make a few dollars while you're at it.
Unemployment is scary. But sometimes forced free time is just what you need to wake up to a new way of living. Maybe this is your time to find solace in helping others. Maybe this is your time to remember your dreams and follow your bliss. Maybe this is your time to start over with a new outlook.
Paula Sirois is a Florida based writer who writes about family life and frugal living. http://www.Deals.com is your easy-to-remember source for the best online deals, sales, and coupons.
From Kentucky.com published on Monday, Aug. 16, 2010
