[Hopefor2012]

I was laid off in March 2011. Right now, I'm self-employed, but it's really more of a made-up job where I might earn a little bit of money now and then, if I'm lucky.

I had a good life and good job before my lay-off. My job was always the one thing I took pride in, the one thing that gave me a sense of purpose. Now that it's gone, I have nightmares, and when I wake up in the mornings, my first thought is, "What have I got to look forward to?" Does anyone else feel this way too? Has anyone found a way to cope?

[splitimage]

Hi hope2012,

I'm sorry that you're struggling - I can really relate. I was laid off in June 2010, found a job Jan 11, but was let go Feb. 11 during the probationary period. It's been so demoralizing. I've run out of employment insurance and am now living entirely off my savings, aside from some part time work that I pick up here and there doing overflow accounting and teaching one course. For the longest time, I couldn't figure out what to do with myself to stay positive in the face of constant rejection from job interviews.

But now, I've decided to go back to school in the fall and retrain. I'm throwing myself into my hobbies, and I've been able to work seriously on my mental health and addictions, which has been positive.

I'm still scared about the future, but I've found having positive hobbies helps me relax and have a sense of accomplishement in the now.

Hang in there - you're not alone.

splitimage

[Perna]

I'm older and retired and have had a lot of difficulty struggling with that question, "what now". Without work and the people I knew from there, I've had to almost wholly reinvent myself; I went to school for a couple years but then decided graduate school made no sense at my age really and was just "comfortable" because I was good at it. It took another six months after I quit school for one of my hobbies to take off in a different direction and become a full-time occupation. Now that is working fine.

Have you ever wanted to do something like write a book or do some other different sort of activity? I have often found new motivation by volunteering and having that take on a life of its own, new friends or types of things to do, ideas, etc. Grab some problem you have or that interests you and start to work on it with other people and more might open up.

[growlycat]

I was unemployed for 2 years and it was looking pretty hopeless. I was also self employed after unemployment insurance ran out--freelance work. Now that I am FT I now remember all the bs that goes along with working for someone else. If you can really make a go of starting your own business I think that in the long term you will be happier and better off.

You will find ft work ! Unemployment is stressful but it can be a good time to explore what you really want to do!

[ladytiger]

hi. i am 26 yrs old with a college degree from 2 yrs ago and can not find a job in my field which u need certifications and i can not afford that. i have done IT all my life before i was old enough to work. i did retail in 05 and hated it because of the poor mistreatment ive endured which brought back painful memories from my home life.

well, having no money sucks *** yet i get people telling me i shouldn't worry. excuse me?! wait until the economy gets better then search for a job is what i was told by professionals! i don't qualify for UI because i quit my old job voluntarily.

i want to work on my creative side and mix technical with it but i dont know how to do that or don't know what i could do. certifications are too costly for me and there isn't a lot of jobs to around for everybody out there with a huge number of unemployed people.

i've been to a lot of workshops, made new functional resumes, got tons of packet info on jobs and what not. stuff that was never taught in college or high school. i still do not have a job! i really don't know what i am suppose to do i was thinking of speaking to a mentor about this but i don't know of any places that are free to speak to them about this issue.

i am really lost! i have no money yet these boneheads tell me go to volunteer does it have access to money? no, didn't think so! they say there's rewards that comes with it, i agree it does but how are you gonna get there if you have no means of transportation? it takes money to fill up the gas tank or bus fare.

[Travelinglady]

This economy is leading a number of bright, young people into your situation. Not that that's any consolation......

I assume you don't live in an area with bus service. (Of course, even that costs something.) Although you hate certain jobs, you might have to bite the bullet and just see what you can get, even if it's a retail job. At least you'd be getting some money and can save up to forge ahead with something. I'm so sorry this problem is happening to you.

[ladytiger]

Originally Posted by PAYNE1

This economy is leading a number of bright, young people into your situation. Not that that's any consolation......

I assume you don't live in an area with bus service. (Of course, even that costs something.) Although you hate certain jobs, you might have to bite the bullet and just see what you can get, even if it's a retail job. At least you'd be getting some money and can save up to forge ahead with something. I'm so sorry this problem is happening to you.

who me? if so, when did i say i dont live in an area with no bus service? i live in a city near the capital NOT the boonies! doesn't the bus still take money? unless that changed or something. the bus system in general is ****** the bus drivers dont wanna drive the bus and most of these stops stop early or late depending on the area or they dont go to that intersection u need to get off at all that is how horrible the bus service plus we have a lightrail system - a bit better but that doesnt come to my house near my house but i would have to walk several miles home.

a retail job? really? i have applied to those and didn't hear back from any. now, i did apply for two retail jobs, jcp and macy's. i didn't get the job with either one of them last year. holiday jobs are coming up so will reapply again every holiday season i never get hired but now i made better resumes that may help.

i am very disappointed so is a lot of people. i have already applied for two positions working for the elections and assessors clerk with the county here in my state good money! lol