Being in between jobs isn’t uncommon in the current job market. However, that doesn’t make it an easy time to get through! After all, before you develop your business idea, and after you leave your current job, you’re going to face down a lengthy period where you’re out of work.
Whether it lasts a couple weeks or a few months, it can be an anxious time where you feel on the edge thanks to the lack of revenue. And not only that; your belief in your skills can wane, and you could simply go stir crazy being at home all the time! So let’s go through the basics of coping during a time like this.
Redefine Your Budget
Your budget is going to be tight right now, we all know that. But don’t let yourself be intimidated by the numbers. You can’t spend in the same way you did when you had a secure income, but you could still spare a few pennies when needed. Now’s the time to open up your usual spreadsheet and make some adjustments. You’ll need a firm guiding hand to keep your bank account in check now, and that’s hard to do completely blind.
Brush Up on Your Skills
Your skills won’t just disappear while you’re out of work. However, you may fall out of practice. So take some time to brush up on them. If you’re a coder, you could try making a software application of your own. If you’re a graphic designer, you could add more pieces to your portfolio. Strengthen your core skills, think about complementary new skills, and then pay into both while you’ve got the time to do so.
Talk to Others
You’re not going to be alone as someone who is currently unemployed. As such, you should talk to others in the same boat. Join online groups where you can trade advice and connections, and simply just have a chat about the way you’re feeling and your hopes for the future. Knowing there are people out there who understand could do a world of good for your motivation right now!
Look into Small Monetary Sources
You may not have a job right now, but that’s not the only way to make money. You can do so in small doses by clearing out and selling your ‘junk’, or contacting a Personal Injury lawyer to help you claim back compensation. If you’re out of work for a medical reason, this is absolutely the first thing to do! You could also think about finally setting up that side hustle; all this spare time could make the perfect foundation for running a creative business on the side.
Try New Emotional Techniques
You may find that the stress of being in between jobs is getting a little too much, and making you feel ill. If this occurs, it’s best to try out new emotional techniques to help. Even just a spot of deep breathing every day can make you feel stronger and more present in the moment, rather than allowing your thoughts to run away and make you feel worse. Indeed, you may want to try out journaling, to get your feelings down on paper and out of your head.
Talk to a Doctor
Don’t ever let yourself suffer in silence. If you’re stressed out from losing your job, or not being able to find another one as soon as you would have liked to, get your doctor involved. They can help you to find stress management techniques that work for you, refer you to a therapist who can help you regulate your emotions, and even prescribe medication if they think the situation is damaging your health.
And when you’ve got a bona fide doctor’s note to look at, you’ll feel less like you’re making a big deal out of nothing. This is a common reaction to overwhelming stress as your brain tries to get used to the ‘new normal’, but it can be just as damaging as staying in bed all day and doing nothing else!
Being in between jobs can feel like a disaster in the moment. However, you’ll be able to look back on this time one day and feel thankful for all you learned. After all, you learned what you were truly made of, and had your mettle tested in the hardest way possible. Coming through that is a true sign of your skills, and a bit of resilience goes a very long way in life!