Guest Post from Vanessa

To be “laid-off”… What does that mean? In a tough economy it is more likely that people who may never have had to face this ugly reality, might. I had to face it recently. There are not may words to describe the feeling of worthlessness and rejection. It is most easily compared to a break up. Even if you were not happy in the relationship, that they broke up with you first, is awful.

I am particularly happy when I quit my jobs. I have done it twice in the past and it was always great. I quit to move from Florida to Colorado and I quit to go on an extended trip around the world. Both of those times were lovely. I was happy, relaxed. This time is different. I have to struggle with the fact that my company no longer valued my work enough to keep me. Uhg.

So it has been a week. I do enjoy having lots of time to my self for thinking, reading, hiking, ect. I really enjoy going to stores are hanging out with all the other unemployed people. It is a wonderful reminder that all those other people out there are at their jobs, working. I just hope in the next few weeks that I find some bigger purpose for it all. Some meaning.

Staying Sane in Unemployment by Connecting with God

I have to find my hope somewhere and choose to find hope in Jesus Christ. If I don't make a conscious effort to focus on good and positive things I will not have the energy to do what needs to be done each day. It is so easy to hear the negative voices and be overwhelmed by the process of job hunting and financial stress.

This is one prayer I find really helpful and I hope you do too.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.

Amen.

What This Is About

After I lost my job in June 2009. I began a very painful experience of unemployment benefits, job hunting in a *bad* economy and trying to find a vocation that I love. All the while, trying to prevent a foreclosure on my condo, dealing with tens of thousands of dollars of credit card debt and generally just hitting a really low point in life.

I decided to write this blog to document my experiences because they have been crazy and I want to give hope and encouragement to others who might find themselves in this position.

I'll be writing postings about unemployment benefits, the unemployment appeals process, job hunting, resume tips, interview skills and basically everything I have been studying and learning about over the past year.

Feel free to write me or post any questions. I'd be happy to talk to you!