Slow times when you don’t have a job are SO SLOW! It’s scary and frustrating, and in the midst of all this, it’s very easy to let your self-care side.
But taking good care of yourself isn’t an indulgent luxury. It’s even more essential when things are difficult because you aren’t getting that important uplift of completing a task, getting a paycheck connecting with coworkers.
In order to keep yourself both sane and moving forward in the process, try to come up with a system that works for you. I generally find I do better when I schedule the tasks I want to avoid earlier—in the day and in the week—and give myself a reward when I’ve done what I promised myself I would. But your system needs to be yours so you will actually follow it!
The rewards you give yourself can be small, provided they feel like rewards. Don’t, you know, eat a whole chocolate cake or a whole bag of Cheetos every time you send out an application. But do find little ways to keep yourself motivated.
And be sure you are continuing to engage in your regular self-care pieces! Wake up at a normal time (ideally the same time each morning), get some exercise, get some sun on your face in the morning, eat your fruits and veggies, go to bed at a normal time each night. Turn your phone all the way off if that keeps you from checking it at strange hours. Find a way to practice mindfulness that makes sense for you. I hate meditations that feel very woo-woo, so I like things the relaxing sounds my alarm clock offers, or just a progressive relaxation practice before bed. The Healthy Minds app is apparently free, so check it out if that appeals. (And if you’re New Agey, don’t let my preferences stop you!)
This might take extra effort because of the strain you’re under, so make a solid plan, but make sure it’s also flexible. You’ll need to note what’s working and what isn’t, and then adjust as you need to. Some weeks, for example, you might not find much you want to apply for, but you might take yourself on a nice walk as a treat because you spent the time to look.
The upshot is that, unless you’re wealthy, being unemployed is hard. Be gentle with yourself as you navigate it. Use kind language. Breathe deeply. Find ways to bring joy into your life. As the old saying goes, every storm runs out of rain.
