Sometimes life is not easy. Ok, most of the time life isn’t easy. I haven’t discussed it much (or at all) here on my blog, but I recently lost the job I have held for the last 17 years. The job I loved and trained for in many years of school. I worked for the Federal Government and due to recent budget cutbacks in the Sciences, my department and my research was terminated. Enter stress, anxiety and depression (maybe the the PCH Treatment would help?).
And life suddenly becomes harder.
Unfortunately, it is not an option for me to stay home with the kids. My family depends on my salary so I am in the process of picking up the pieces and finding something new. Have you looked for a job lately? The job market is beyond horrible. Maybe I have always been naive, but I really believed that if I worked hard in school I would never find myself in the unemployment line. Funny, right?
I have spent the past several weeks cleaning out my office and sifting through memories of the last 17 years. Difficult doesn’t even describe it. Downright depressing pretty much sums it up. Day by day, I feel my mood sink, my muscles tighten and my stress level rise. Each day without a job offer or even so much as an interview sends me into a panic.
I am completely aware of my predicament. I feel myself slipping into a depression and am doing everything I can to stop it. Everything happens for a reason, I repeat. This is my new mantra. I am doing my best to take care of me so I can rise and face the challenge of starting over. A massage, a yoga class, lunch with friends and time with family are helping me realize what is really important.
How do you manage stress?
So sorry to hear you lost your job. I hope something comes along soon.
Best of luck job hunting 🙂
I believe that when one door closes, another one opens. Hang in there! The computer is my exit from stress. I like to surf the web, read, get lost in youtube videos and try to forget about what is stressing me out. It’s not a cure but it’s a time out from it all.
So many people right now are hurting because of the economy… I am so sorry to hear you are among the folks who have lost their jobs :/ Something will come up soon- you have so much to offer a new employer. You are smart and bright and tech savvy!
Hang in there, look at the extra time as a time to smell the roses. I destress by walking the dog or being outside gardening. Get lost in the wonder of the outdoors. I wish you luck and hope to see a post soon about the new opportunity that opened up!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Ellen. Knowing people are there to support me is such a ray of sunshine!
Thank you, Sandra! I am *always* on the computer, too! Pinterest helps!
Thank you, Renee!
Thanks for thinking of me, Jackie!
I got laid off several years ago from a job I’d held for 7 years, along with 43 other people. It hurts, and it’s hard. I found another job a month or two later, and two years later I started my own company. change is not easy, but it often leads to many different opportunities. Also may be try checking out university research labs for jobs. Also my mom just passed a 2012 book “The Two Hour Job search” to another family member who is job searching – I like its updated approach – combining networking techniques with newer online tactics – check it out: http://www.amazon.com/The-2-Hour-Job-Search-Technology/dp/1607741709
I wish you success.