Being Part of a Bigger Group

Studying unemployment has been enjoyable. I have found a website that has links to everything you can imagine about unemployment. The website is listed below:

http://www.beingunemployedsucks.com/

Included in the website above are links to some extremely humorous insights into unemployment. One is listed below:

http://www.dvorkin.com/essays/unemben.htm

Sorting Out Feelings

A psychologist friend insists that I am acting happy about being let go because I need to avoid feelings of rejection. I wholeheartedly disagree. After years of working in an atmosphere of paranoia and intimidation and fear, having been "rejected" by The Company is not something worth being unhappy about. This is not a "Fox and the Grapes" situation. Given the "opportunity" to be employed by The Company again, even for a phenomenal amount of money, I would most certainly decline the offer. Therefore, I am happy (and, not just acting happy) to leave this experience behind me. As my husband says, "You can only go up from here!"

I am finishing up my third week of unemployment. I have been blessed to be able to enjoy beautiful spring weather. To be able to watch flowers bloom and the grass become more lush and green with every passing day is truly a privilege. Spending some quality time with my pets and children and grandchildren is priceless. I will not ruin this sabbatical by worrying about how long I will be unemployed.

For now, I am doing my part to keep things on an even keel. It is hard to avoid eating out, but we must make some changes. I should receive my 1st unemployment payment next week, which, incidentially, despite what the website states, is approximately 45% of my weekly salary.

A "Free" Critique of My Resume

A free critique of my resume was sent via email to my Inbox. I thought, "Oh, it is so thoughtful of this gentleman to have taken the time to personally look over my resume and give me good ideas". Using my very own words, he suggested changes to make my resume "POP"! He hinted that there is at least one typographical error or grammatical error in my resume but he didn't elaborate. As I scrolled down, it dawned on me that this was part of a sales pitch. His group of "professional resume writers" could make my resume "POP" . . . . .  for a very special price of $399.00 . . . . but only for a limited time. Oh, really? Really? Oh, Dear God, am I the most naive unemployed person in the world? Do people actually pay this kind of money for a resume? I think I'll wait until I'm really, really desperate. But, then, no. I'll wait until hell freezes over.

Taking a Sick Day Without Feeling Guilty

A springtime cold has attacked me. It's a miserable feeling. And, it is most probably contagious. I am able to stay away from others and I am able to rest as needed throughout the day. Having worked for a company that limits sick days and that frowns upon working from home, I am so much more relaxed today about being sick and therefore I am taking it easy, because I can. No amount of antibacterial hand wash can stop the spread of flu  or virus in an office environment. Encouraging sick people to stay home - without restrictions - is the only way to manage it.

Got a Nibble

Busy this morning transferring my contacts to a new email account when my cell phone rang. It was a lady from the HR department of a local company who saw my resume on Monster and whose company has an opening for a position that I may be quite interested in. It got me to thinking that I'm really excited about the interview process. I've grown a lot in the last couple of years, in that I know my strong points and I don't want to sell myself short. I do so much better when I enjoy what I'm doing. Having said that, I realize that I won't fit some of these jobs, and some of these jobs won't fit me. I hope I get a face-to-face interview with someone in the actual job area, so I can learn as I go.

I'm like a little kid who gets picked first when choosing teams ~ "Somebody wants me, somebody wants me!"

Filing for Unemployment Benefits

Filing for unemployment benefits online couldn't be more simple! It took less than 10 minutes. I have been advised not to expect it to begin for 2 to 3 weeks.

I am getting phone calls from life insurance companies in response to my resume on Monster. To sell insurance. Hmmm. Now, could it be that they aren't reading my resume? Because, if they did, they would understand that I BUY, I don't SELL. There's a difference there.

I am spending my first official unemployed day trying to get organized. New Google calendar and contacts, new files, etc.

Despite my prediction that this day would feel wierd, it feels quite good and natural. No regrets whatsoever. I think I can get accustomed to this.

A Temporary Change of Lifestyle

It is official. My email is turned off.

Already, I am overwhelmed with what I hope to accomplish while I'm unemployed. But, lest I get so overwhelmed that I don't move forward with my plans, I will create a project plan. My home and my lawn are my palette. Most likely, the most will be done in the first month or so, while I am motivated. Regardless, I will also incorporate my job search into my plan. I will not remain idle on either front!

Even though today is Saturday, I still woke up with a start and looked toward the digital clock, just sure I was late for work. It will take a while to be de-programmed. I intend to get up at the same time in the morning, though, so that it will not be such an adjustment when I get another job.

I am reminded of my granddaughter Cadence, who, when she spends the night with us, gets up at the crack of dawn and comes to my bed and whispers into my ear, "The sun's up!" When I tell her it's too early to get up, she repeats, "The sun's up!" To her, anything that isn't dark is the sun. Therefore, lack of darkness is sunshine. There is no point in arguing with her. She has had enough sleep and is ready to face the day! At this point in my life, I would like to approach every day with her enthusiasm.

Last Day at The Company








I am all too ready to make this transition. Today, I will finish packing up the boxes in my cube and I will take them home. It's amazing how much "stuff" I have accumulated over the years. Today is the day I complete another task. My employment at The Company is over.