Unemployed for a week and going stir crazy

NikkeiJones

So I've gotten up this morning, applied for all jobs that I can find and now I feel so lost! I've worked since I was sixteen and I hate sitting around and not knowing what the future holds. I'm trying to be uber positive but i'm failing miserably. I know I will look back in the future and put it down as an experience but right now i'm struggling to cope. I feel anxious, my stomach is constantly in spasm. For those in the situation how do cope?

Horace

How about volunteering at local charity shops - it keeps your mind active and gives you some work experience. If you are signing on then the jobcentre will be able to tell you how many hours you can do on a voluntary basis.

yumyums

Definitely try to find some voluntary work if you can. I was in your position for a couple of months and it started to drive me absolutely mad. Once I started voluntary work I felt a lot more positive and had more motivation to apply for jobs.

This website may help if you're interested in volunteering
http://www.do-it.org.uk/

Only problem is that some organisations may want a minimum length of commitment from you so you may have to be upfront with them about your job search

t0rt0ise

Why not go sign on with the agencies and see what they have to offer. I know it's mostly done online now but it'll make you feel like you're doing something definite. Depending on what sort of job you're after, you can also drop your CV into various companies.

DCFC79

Do you have any stuff on ebay to sell or anything that needs sorting out that you havent got round to doing yet eg a drawer or a cupboard/wardrobe.

Try any agencies if not already done so. Maybe meet up with some friends for a coffee. It is hard OP, you signed up for JSA yet ?

NikkeiJones

Horrace and Yumyums, I had thought of volunteering as sitting in the house I once loved is feeling more like living in a prison, and I have now signed up with the website you have suggested thank you very much!

T0rt0ise, i've already registered with all of the agencies that deal with recruiting specifically for accounting staff but there isn't much out there at the moment

DCFC79, I have a few things I want to put on ebay so will get around to doing that today, as for JSA i'm not sure whether I qualify at the moment as I'm on notice from my employer and will be paid up until the 16th of next month.

I feel like I have no purpose anymore

morganedge

NikkeiJones wrote: »

I feel like I have no purpose anymore

Did you feel like your purpose in life was to go to work?
Man, i have such a different view on life.
Maybe you had a really awesome job or something, but I'm always a lot happier when im NOT working, lol. I've always found Work very depressing.
I hate the fact that we waste such a huge percentage of our lives doing a 'job' and not actually enjoying life.

But then, we all view the world differently I guess.

Do you have any hobbies? Any other friends who don't work who you could hang out with and have some fun?

NikkeiJones

It's not that I feel like my purpose in life is to work, I just know that I have to work to live and to that end I've been studying towards becoming a management accountant which I do love. If this was a holiday I would have it filled with lots of things to do, I love baking, scrapbooking and makeup artistry, I love to read and be out doors but I can't calm the anxiety down enough to enjoy doing anything.

Mojisola

NikkeiJones wrote: »

It's not that I feel like my purpose in life is to work, I just know that I have to work to live and to that end I've been studying towards becoming a management accountant which I do love. If this was a holiday I would have it filled with lots of things to do, I love baking, scrapbooking and makeup artistry, I love to read and be out doors but I can't calm the anxiety down enough to enjoy doing anything.

Could you calm the anxiety by thinking of this as a short-term break from work, like a holiday?

Most people have loads of things they would like to do around the house and garden but don't have time when they're working. Make a list and work your way through the jobs and hobbies. Keep telling yourself - I need to do this now because, when I'm back at work, there won't be time.

getmore4less

Go round the houe and garden and find every little bit of maintanence work you can and start on those.

Set aside some time every day for job hunting, get into a routine.

Look for support groups and free courses, ask at the JC+ they should have a list.

www.do-it.org.uk for a list of vouluntory jobs there may be some that need your skills, allthough in my area some look out of date.


Depending where you live walk/cycle when you can rather than taking car etc.

Look for events/places that are on during the week things you could not do when working, local museums etc are quiet weekdays.

Maybe even plan the odd trip to interesting places, cheap flights, hotels are avaialble mid week

DCFC79

How about doing an activity to get you out of the house, something like swimming for a few hours or go for a walk.