Yes, it is 3 am and I am up contemplating.

I have noticed a strong trend from people to view those who are unemployed or underemployed as less than human. It's as if people expect us to be working to death before they consider any of our efforts to be useful.

There are more things in life than getting a job or working overtime or making sure I can workworkwork! myself to an early grave. But tell that to most people and they act like you are wasting your time. My husband and I have hobbies, and both of our families act like we are robbing a bank! DH likes to meet with people for games, and I like to volunteer or entertain myself with other hobbies.

Without my hobbies, I'd be miserable. If I didn't have a garden I wouldn't have anything to look forward to for a harvest-- or to eat. My pets keep me entertained and I'm not as depressed as I used to be when I didn't have them. My husband has even noticed his mood is better due to my pets. They only take 20 minutes on the weekend for maintenance and that's it. I have lots and lots of time during the week to look for jobs, apply, and go in for interviews (when I am lucky with a call-- ha!). But I am expected to not only have a 40-hour a week job (with the occasional OT), but a second part time job on the weekends and some evenings. If I have time to relax, well then what the heck am I doing wrong??? If they think that's bad they definitely do NOT want to know how often I use the potty

I wish people would remember those who are unemployed and underemployed are still humans. We want to have other things going on in our lives to remind us that not everything is terrible or disappointing. Why don't people get that?