Whats the worst thing about being unemployed to you?

falko89

Is it the stigma? Is it lack of money? is it lack of self worth? I was thinking about this and oddly for me its probably a bit of all 3 but one thing that really stands out to me is the way every day is just the same, when I wake up in the morning its actually hard to remember what day it is some times as every days the same, gone are things like the Sunday evening dread, the Monday morning blues, or the Friday feeling, the only thing for me that differentiates the weekends from the week days is the fact the kids are home, for the 15 years I worked we always got a weeks holidays at Easter, It was the best thing about Easter for me, going away to a hotel for a few days with the kids somewhere, days out and about etc, all gone now as Easter just sort of blurs into the rest of the previous days. While you don't have the highs of the Friday feeling or getting off for holidays, you also don't have the lows of the Sunday evening dread or Monday morning blues either.

So whats the worst for you?

ch-ch-changes

You're absolutely right about the days and holidays losing their meaning - I actually envy people moaning about 'Monday morning'!

Another thing is the presumption you can feel people making about you if you tell them you're not working - and the way that every time the unemployed or people on benefits are referred to in the media it always seems to be about 'young' people or it's synonymous with 'scroungers'

SailorSam

I agree about all the days moulding into one and having to look at the date on the computer to know were you are. Also it's the social side of working, meeting and talking to people everyday. If you don't have to go out to work it's all to easy to stay in the house and not talk to a soul, you even look forward to a double glazing salesman knocking on the door.

falko89

ch-ch-changes wrote: »

You're absolutely right about the days and holidays losing their meaning - I actually envy people moaning about 'Monday morning'!

Another thing is the presumption you can feel people making about you if you tell them you're not working - and the way that every time the unemployed or people on benefits are referred to in the media it always seems to be about 'young' people or it's synonymous with 'scroungers'

Yes I get that to, doesn't matter a damn that it wasn't my fault I was made unemployed through no fault of my own, I still feel people almost looking down their nose at me, but yes if your unemployed = scrounger.

Notmyrealname

If you're having trouble finding a job, think about creating your own. Everyone has something they do that they can convince others to pay for.

falko89

SailorSam wrote: »

I agree about all the days moulding into one and having to look at the date on the computer to know were you are. Also it's the social side of working, meeting and talking to people everyday. If you don't have to go out to work it's all to easy to stay in the house and not talk to a soul, you even look forward to a double glazing salesman knocking on the door.

Oh I get that to, I look forward to the window cleaner calling, or we get veggies from a farmer that calls once a week, I look forward to that to. I was expecting a phone call the other day from a credit card company to sort out a repayment plan, they never called, I was actually sad when they didn't call lol:) I mean that was my one big thing for Wednesday and they didn't call. Its a really sad state of affairs when the highlight of your week is the veggie man calling and you actually look forward to it, I mean how the hell did we get here lol

whitewing

Nowadays when people work so many shift patterns, how does anyone know that you're unemployed in order to make you feel stigmatised?

If I see 'work age' people out and about during office hours I wouldn't even think they were unemployed.

HappyMJ

falko89 wrote: »

Oh I get that to, I look forward to the window cleaner calling, or we get veggies from a farmer that calls once a week, I look forward to that to. I was expecting a phone call the other day from a credit card company to sort out a repayment plan, they never called, I was actually sad when they didn't call lol:) I mean that was my one big thing for Wednesday and they didn't call. Its a really sad state of affairs when the highlight of your week is the veggie man calling and you actually look forward to it, I mean how the hell did we get here lol

Why do you not clean your own windows? I thought people only used them to save time. The tools required are minimal and you could even undercut the existing window cleaner and start cleaning a few neighbours windows.

Nothanks

I'm employed at the moment, but i spent some time on jsa and can relate to the op.

For me it was The feeling of having to justify what you do from day to day, to yourself and to others. I also hated the lack of free time- this might shock the right wing "they're scroungers" brigade, but it's true! Now i'm working, when i'm done at work the time is my own, i can potter about the house, ride my bike, play a bit of streetfighter, whatever. When i was job hunting, i felt guilt every time i took a break. Like: "I can't provide for my family, so how the heck can i be playing a video game?" almost thinking every second i'm not job hunting online, or sending a cv or phoning a company is time i'm missing out on job opportunities. I ran myself ragged.

Wow, long post. Finally, the food!

I'm a bit of a foodie type (read, fatty!) and my better half likes trying new foods too and if we have excess in our budget we'll often treat ourselves to nice food. On a tight budget, this sort of thing goes right out the window!

falko89

HappyMJ wrote: »

Why do you not clean your own windows? I thought people only used them to save time. The tools required are minimal and you could even undercut the existing window cleaner and start cleaning a few neighbours windows.

Can't get up to the second floor, he only costs £5 a month so no biggie.

falko89

Nothanks wrote: »

I'm employed at the moment, but i spent some time on jsa and can relate to the op.

For me it was The feeling of having to justify what you do from day to day, to yourself and to others. I also hated the lack of free time- this might shock the right wing "they're scroungers" brigade, but it's true! Now i'm working, when i'm done at work the time is my own, i can potter about the house, ride my bike, play a bit of streetfighter, whatever. When i was job hunting, i felt guilt every time i took a break. Like: "I can't provide for my family, so how the heck can i be playing a video game?" almost thinking every second i'm not job hunting online, or sending a cv or phoning a company is time i'm missing out on job opportunities. I ran myself ragged.

Wow, long post. Finally, the food!

I'm a bit of a foodie type (read, fatty!) and my better half likes trying new foods too and if we have excess in our budget we'll often treat ourselves to nice food. On a tight budget, this sort of thing goes right out the window!

I can relate, Job hunting is on my mind 24/7, you can't actually enjoy anything else as that though is just there in the back of your mind, a job you work 9-5 and forget about it, job hunting is always stuck.

I also know what you mean about food, I used to love food shopping and buying nice wee treats or trying new things, this is out the window and its into Icelands finest crap but I guess its better than nothing so should be grateful.