Switching gears from my ‘worst of unemployment’ lists, I wanted to talk about the positives that have come with unemployment. Because the pendulum still does swing, and there is still good in this world, no matter how sad I might get sometimes.
Unemployment sucks, but here are a few reasons why it has is bonuses:
Getting rid of that soul-sucking boss. Honestly, my last boss was a misogynistic overgrown frat-boy who ran an office like it was a locker-room and treated women as though the only thing we brought to the table were short skirts and an ability to fetch coffee. He didn’t think that I was qualified to fill my roll, didn’t believe that I deserved the position and made it open in the office that he really didn’t like me. Leaving him behind was an incredible gift for my psyche.
Getting rid of that soul-sucking office. My last office was the equivalent of a men’s locker room. Women were rated based on their looks, told to wear short skirts to meetings and treated as though we brought no value to the office and it was ‘a gift’ they were even letting us live in the presence of the men who worked there. Time after time after time I really didn’t want to go to work. The job itself wasn’t bad, but the people – they were so… awful. They were the type of people who made me not want to get out of bed in the morning. The type of people who would take credit for my work and then publicly (and I mean in the newspaper) shame me if something didn’t get done on time. Leaving them behind took a big burden off my shoulders and my heart. And I can honestly say, there isn’t a soul in that office that I miss.
Being able to take more time for myself. Prior to unemployment all that I did was work. All the time. Monday through Friday I was at the office from 8:30 to 6:30, sometimes 7:30 or 8:30. I worked most weekends and I never really did anything for fun. Since being unemployed, I’ve been able to do the things I’ve always wanted to do that I never got a day off for. I’ve been to the Ice Magic Festival at Lake Louise, done the air bubbles walk of Abraham Lake, hiked the largest ancient inland rainforest on earth, spent some time in Niagara Falls and Toronto, taken more than 10,000 miles worth of roadtrips and so much more that I haven’t even shared on his blog. And you know what? It’s been a dream come true.
Helping my family. As much as I like to rag on my family for the things they do to frustrate me, I’m also really grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to help them this year. Let me tell you, driving someone to the cancer clinic every day, cleaning up puke in the middle of the night, is hard for any person to face. I commend my dad for looking after my mom to the extent that he did because he really stepped up and did an incredible job, but I’m also grateful that I was able to be here and to help. Because when it’s family, you do what you can do.
It’s allowed me more time to write. To create. To build this blog. To take credit for my own writing. To say what I want to say. I know that it sounds counter-intuitive, claiming that I get credit for my writing on a blog that’s nearly anonymous (I say nearly because three people now know who I am). When I was working, I was writing all of the time for my job. I was writing things that my boss would take credit for, I was writing things that people from other companies would take credit for. I was specifically supposed to write things as though they sounded like they were coming from other people and not me. On the off chance that I did get credit for an article that I put together, I was reprimanded for not giving the article to my boss before sending it out. Here, I can say what I want, when I want. I may not have a face on this blog, but I have a person. And I value the person I get to be here… spelling mistakes in all.
It builds your strength and resilience. Rejection after rejection after rejection sucks. It sucks so hard I often break down in tears because I just don’t know what else to do. I will say though, no matter how many rejections I’ve had this year, I’ve always kept trying and I have always kept going. When it seems like it’s the easiest thing in the world to just give up, I won’t. I’m not going to give up. I’m reminded that I have the strength to get through this and I will damn well get the life I want and deserve. I know this now more than ever. Even on my bad days a piece of me still knows this deep down.
There are pros and cons to everything in this life. And for me, its a consistent fault of mine that I’m not always able to see the good. Today, though, today I wanted to remind myself of what good has come from this.
If you’e interested, my unemployment journey is detailed here >
If you’re interested, my travel diaries, tips and thoughts are detailed here >
I’m envious of your ability to see the positives. I’m more of a “every silver cloud has a dark lining” kinda person 😛
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There’s some positives out there. I’ll admit I don’t have the easiest time finding them, but I know they’re there. They’re always there.
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What a wonderful experience to have had being unemployed. Though being unemployed is super stressful, it sounds as though you’ve really made the most of that time! I hope that when you do find employment again, your boss and colleagues aren’t the real twats your previous ones were. It sounds as though you really put in the work and the effort at your old job and at the end of it all, you just weren’t appreciated (I have never felt paychecks are a form of appreciation as some do). And you deserve a window in your next office, for the Sunshine. 😉
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It’s hella stressful, don’t get me wrong. I don’t know how I’m going to pay my phone bill this month. But, I’m trying to keep myself out of the pit of depression by reminding myself that I’ve had a lot of good in my life the past 10 months. And god, I am so grateful I left that awful job behind.
Thank you for your kind words. I hope I get a window too ❤
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Great idea to list the positives and be grateful for the opportunities your particular state in life has given you. It is something I find very hard to do. I’m super impressed by all the traveling you’ve done. I hope your next job is a nicer work environment than your last.
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I hope my next job is a lot better of a place to be as well. Thank you for your kind words ❤
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Lovely post about seeing the positives – there’s not enough of that around I think. It is not easy. Good luck with the job hunt, hope everything works out soon!
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Thank you for the luck! I’m definitely in need of it.
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Time is the biggest point there. You can’t put a price on time, that’s for sure.
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No you cannot. I’ve had a lot of time in the past few months to really appreciate the people and places in my life.
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Fabulous writing V.
I’m definitely not glad you are unemployed but I’m just going to be selfish (not really!) and say I’m so glad you are able to write loads! 😎
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Thank You ❤
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More reasons why you should strike out on your own and work for yourself (wink wink).
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Thank you, my friend ❤ I appreciate your consistent support and telling me what I need to hear and try to avoid!
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My workplace is a men’s locker room too. There’re more male employess than women. But, my office isn’t as suck as your old office. I just hope they’d stop teasing and disturb me when I have to focus on my works Lol.
Btw, I love how you always find positives side on something bad. Thanks for sharing.
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I’m sorry you’ve got to deal with locker-room politics around the office. It’s really a shitty place to be and sadly, without cutting the fish off at the head, there’s no way to stop it.
As for your other point, thank you! It’s not always easy for me to see positively, but I try. Some days it takes more effort than I would like to admit to, but it’s important to try. Right?
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Right!
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really appreciate your sharing this
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Thank you for reading ❤
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❤
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<3<3<3
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I know you can’t say, so this is a rhetorical question … but where the hell were you working?
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If anyone ever buys my story – for book or movie or tv show, I’ll be happy to scream the name of my former employer – both company and individuals management names from the rooftops. LOL
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You are SO right! I’ve discovered these same things since I left my soul-sucking situation 2 months ago.
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Doesn’t it just feel like a massive weight is lifted when the soul-suckers don’t effect you anymore?
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Yes, it does!
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P.S. I will NEVER go back!
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Good! You deserve farrrr better than that treatment. Don’t ever settle!
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You are right, there can be positives from unemployment. I am currently unemployed as well since August, at first it felt super odd and somewhat shameful for me, but now while I apply to jobs I’ve taken up classes and started blogging, which I felt I was never able to do before. I can also relate to being able to help my family by spending time with my grandma and taking her to her doctor’s appointments. Here’s to good luck for both of us!
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Oh, my dear, you sound just like me. I’ll admit there are days I still find myself feeling shame for being unemployed. I think it matters though that we’re still trying. Sending you much love, luck and positivity with your job hunt. I hope you find a company worthy of your time, skill and expertise. ❤
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Yes, that feeling doesn’t completely go away especially when others keep asking you about it but it matters that we are trying! Sending positive vibes your way as well ❤
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I didn’t work for over a year recently, and it took that whole time to work up the courage to leave my hometown with my last dollar and start over. The journey is always with you. Ty for sharing
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Wow, that sounds like something I need to do.
Thank you for sharing your story.
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Nice to hear a positive side!
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THANKS!
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Walking away from my job gave me my life back and the possibilty to be ‘me’ again. The job and surroundings took a great deal of my life, my creativity, my self-esteem, my enthousiasm, my relationship, my biorythms (working shifts) and my health. Being unemployed gives me the opportunity to get those things back, small step by small step. And you’re 100% right about the boss, time and surroundings. Don’t forget the commute! (that was a big thing for me; 2.5 hours minimum per day). Nice and creative post!
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Seems like you’ve got into the wrong company and wrong colleagues in the first place. Best of luck on your new journey!
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Love this!! I have been unemployed several times in my adult life because of my chronic illness. This time, I am 9 months of not working has been grand. This time I worked on me and doing all those things I have been saving for the right time.
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I definitely miss the time I had to create when I wasn’t working. Trying to find the balance between work and creativity is my new struggle!
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Yes Vee, we can and always should make the best of any situation. Proud of you. Love and blessings from Washington DC 🤗🤗
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I left my soul-sucking environment 3 years ago. Travelled – backpacking for 6 months. Returned home and decided on a complete lifestyle change. So much happier now. I have a very simple and basic life, more in tunecwith nature, grow my own food and have lots of time for reading and writing….art….walks….what ever. No money, but hey who cares. Life’s good.
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“When it seems like it’s the easiest thing in the world to just give up, I won’t. I’m not going to give up. I’m reminded that I have the strength to get through this and I will damn well get the life I want and deserve. I know this now more than ever. Even on my bad days a piece of me still knows this deep down.”
This is so true. I’m unemployed too and have been job hunting but this time I want to find something I’m truly happy with. I never got the chance to be picky which resulted in being in a bad mood each day because of stupid people and being stressed out coupled with headaches and migraines. I would dread waking up and hated sundays. 😭
It’s hard to be unemployed but it has given me the time to reset myself and enjoy the little things more. It’s definitely a challenge but it’ll be worth it when I actually look forward to every day when I get the job I really want. ❤️ I’m done settling for sure.
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PREACH! Unemployment is so beneficial to regulating one’s self. Every negative aspect you mention helps build stronger positives for the next experience. Escaping that persistent *job negativity* is so essential. Good on you for keeping it real.
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The bad time also exposes many faces. It tells you who is with you and who is not. It tells who is actually think good for you and want you to succeed and who is actually pretending to be good but actually want you to fail miserably.
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You’re so right! This year has really taught me who has my best intentions at heart and who’s just been faking it all along. You’ve hit the nail on the head there.
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Sometimes it can be extremely difficult to find the positives in a lousy situation. You’ve done something wonderful by doing so – wonderful for you because it should help as a coping strategy during this crap phase. That’s worth remembering too, that it really IS only a phase. What you do for a living does not define you. It doesn’t say what type of person you are, whether you’re a good friend or lousy, how talented you are at something completely random (I don’t know what – Sorry 😂😂🤦♀️😂). It only tells us that you are capable of performing a certain role to a given standard on a consistent basis. What your reaction to your situation does is tell us far more about you. How much you value people, how you enjoy freedom in your creativity, your resilience and, above all, your ability to see the best when it’s bleak. These are the qualities that partly define you as an individual – they’re great qualities to have. Never beat yourself for seeing the crap side either. It would be a bit odd if you didn’t see the downsides of being unemployed. I wish it was possible for people to never know what unemployable feels like. Sadly, I don’t see this happening in the climate we’re in. I truly hope things pick up for you soon. Meanwhile, worrying too much about it won’t make your circumstances any better ❤️❤️❤️
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My old boss was the worst about taking credit for my work. I don’t think she really meant to be crappy like that, but giving credit to me where it was due would have outed her as being the one that didn’t put in the work. So frustrating!
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Oh, dang. I know this feeling all too well. I’m sorry you had to deal with that. You’re worth soooooooo much more!
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i feel like I have in common with you: recently left my job, birthday is in November. I also enjoy your mental health articles. The last few years I’ve overthought small things, and am trying to break out of this habit
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Maybe you are me? Secretly?
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