With the unemployment rate hitting an all-time high of 23.50 percent in April of 2020, a lot of people lost their jobs during the first few months of the year. Unfortunately, unemployment is often associated with an unpleasant situation that has a negative impact on our lives. It affects an individual mindset and changes their thought process at a drastic level.
Apparently, an individual becomes liable to face circumstances where they have no income but just the health problems like depression and stress. The longer an individual suffers the period of unemployment, the higher their chance of losing a grip over their skills and jolted confidence.
Although there are still a lot of people navigating the challenges of being unemployed today, there are many ways to look at this situation in a positive way as it gives you enough time to improve your knowledge and the skills needed for your future career.
So, put aside all your anger and anxiety and follow me to learn how you can take advantage of a negative situation and turn it into a wonderful experience.
It all depends on how you look at life, of course, but it helps to stay positive and optimistic and focus on solutions instead of the problem.
Here are some ways you can turn unemployment into a positive situation.
1. Look Within
Ask yourself some of these questions you may have been avoiding for years because you were enjoying the benefits of what you felt was a secure job and career.
- Who am I without my job?
- What is my life purpose?
- Was my job helping me fulfill my purpose in life?
- What work will help me feel more fulfilled?
- Can I do it with the skills I currently have?
Finding the answers to these questions may require some introspection and spiritual thought, but if you can figure this out for yourself, you will be able to make better decisions about your career path.
2. Upskill or Reskill Yourself
If you’ve decided on a career change or transition, you may need to learn new skills to fit into your new career path. You can do online courses to upskill and reskill yourself so you can find a new job that suits your passions and purpose.
There are so many online courses you can join nowadays, and you can spend your free time learning almost any skill for free, including skills for in-demand digital roles.
3. Consider Working Remotely
Remote work is the future, and many organisations are transitioning to a remote workforce or hiring freelancers or gig workers for previous full-time roles.
Once you’ve decided on a new career path, you can consider transitioning to a freelance or full-time remote job in the field of your choice.
The good thing about working remotely is that you can start working from anywhere in the world, so you’re not limited by geographical constraints.
So, if you have a yearning to travel or want to live in another country, you can start an online business or take up a remote job that allows you to work from anywhere.
4. Practice Good Self-Care
As someone who is undergoing a significant life change, you will experience many emotions, not all of which are positive. For many people who find themselves unemployed, job loss depression is quite common.
All of us need help to deal with our emotional issues from time to time. Getting professional help is one of the best self-care practices you can implement.
Women experiencing relationship issues, depression, or anxiety because of job loss can connect with a counsellor on the free Ask SHEROES chat helpline for women.
Another good self-care practice is to cultivate your hobbies and interests – the things you loved doing as a child. You may love music or reading, watching movies, painting, or playing with your pets.
If you don’t have any hobbies that you enjoy, find a new one. You could take a road trip or go hiking. Being in the great outdoors can also help lift your mood and give you a new perspective on life.
5. Volunteer For A Good Cause
If you’ve always wanted to be of service to others, this is the best time to do it.
Volunteering your time and effort to help those less fortunate than you is a wonderful way to take your focus off your own problems and help others in need.
Volunteering for a good cause can also help you meet new people and open up new opportunities for employment for you.
6. Spend Quality Time With Your Loved Ones
If there was ever one upside of being unemployed, it is that it gives us a lot of time to spend with the ones we love.
The time that we used to spend commuting or working can now be spent on teaching your kids new skills, enjoying time with your spouse, or just having fun as a family.
Use this precious time to strengthen your relationships with your family, and you’ll come out of this transition, feeling happier and more resilient.
7. Plan For The Future
If you were not in the habit of saving or creating an emergency fund for a rainy day, this is the best time to motivate yourself to learn how.
It’s always good to plan for the future, so you and your loved ones can be financially secure. Consult a financial advisor for strategies to secure your family’s future in case of unfortunate events.
Chances can be, you will find yourself in despair due to the loss of your job. But you can boost your morale by scheduling your days with a productive routine. You can start looking up to unemployment as an optimistic opportunity to achieve something you only dreamt about, until now.
Best of all, being confident in such difficult situations can help you transform your insecurities into positive things. One should never forget that the struggle you are in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. After all, unemployment is interim, and you know very well how to make the most of it counts.
