4 weeks, 2 days and 3 hours ago, I had a job.
Now I spend my days drinking tea (4 cups is my record), eating chocolate (6 rows today, eek) and looking at stuff on the internet I can no longer afford. I wish I was one of those people who turned to exercise to fill the time (although I am still getting up at 6am and going for a walk) but I’m not. I don’t even turn to cleaning or selling everything I haven’t touched in the past 12 months on ebay.
I spend my time worrying. Worrying about how I’m going to pay my next bill. About when I will get a job and if my ‘extended’ stay out of the workforce is starting to affect said ability to get a job. Worrying about using the heater during the day and if the 6 rows of chocolate was cancelled out by the walk I went on this morning. Worrying if I will get home in time for the midday movie. You name it, I worry about it.
See by Chloe $274.00 by See by Chloe at Zappos Couture
Today I went to the interviews for the Westfield Insider at Westfield, Plenty Valley (more on this later). I worried about how long the queue would be (and left three hours early to accommodate), what others would be wearing (and nearly knocked myself out with falling shoe boxes last night deciding what I should wear) and whether I would say the right things.
All of this worrying isn’t getting me anywhere – except perhaps closer to a padded room in some sort of institution. I should be using this time to relax, rest and reflect on my career this far; remembering that my ambitions for said career will probably see me working 7 til 7, six days a week and I should take stock of this time while I can.
L.A.M.B. – Prissy $279.00 by L.A.M.B. at Zappos
So I am taking a step back and trying not to worry. Trying not to eat copious amounts of chocolate and spend more drinking copious amounts of tea. What are your thoughts on trying to relax? Any hints, tips, suggestions?
Images: Which imaginary purchase will I make this week? Oh, the WORRY!!
Don’t worry!
Everything happens for a reason – and you are going to shine!
Enjoy this time! x
Hi Sarah, I am a week behind you in the same situation, threw my job in and searching for the ultimate career. I’ve found exercise to be amazing, it clears my head and helps me to be more productive and brighter about each day. In this regime I include yoga and pilates. I’ve also been doing mini home makeovers because a good hair day or mani can really lift your spirits. In between network, have fun and know that an opportunity is around the corner. Angela x
I don’t take your worries lightly because I can be a worrier sometimes too – about big things, small things, silly things, the list goes on. I find I have to give myself a severe talking-to every now and then just to get over myself LOL! Breathing exercises and stretching really do help: ie, yoga is excellent! And some other advice someone once gave me is: get up, dress up, and show up. So even if you are staying home for the day, get out of bed, and put on ‘outside’ clothes as if you were leaving the house. Sitting at home in pjs or trackies or whatever is a fast-track to self-doubt and spiralling stress levels, (perhaps particularly for those us who like nice clothes and looking nice?) And if you find you’ve got days where you’ve got nothing to do, volunteer! Gets you out of the house and reminds you that you are needed!
*hint* Volunteering at your local op-shop has an added bonus – guilt-free shopping, with the possibility of unearthing the bargain of the century as you get first dibs on new deliveries 😉
Don’t ever forget that you are a highly-employable, super-chic fabulous human being xoxo
Its understandable that you’re worried BUT you’re still doing all you can to get your name out there, I know your resume will be impeccable, and you’ve networked so much, it will just take some time. Going for that walk in the morning IS totally exercise! Have you tried different agencies by chance? Would you do temp work until you find a more permanent role? You’ll totally find something, I KNOW it.
Hey Gorgeous,
I wish I was around in order to fill up a day with coffee and lunch with you! That’d be lots of fun and I am sure that I’d come up with a million ways to take your mind off things!!!! 🙂
My best advice from afar is just be sensible. Of course you will worry but just don’t let it get out of hand. Letting worry consume you will not do you any good at all so try your best to keep it at a minimum. Just keep plugging away at finding a job and in the mean time focus on the fact that you are an amazing woman that anyone would be stupid not to employ!!!! 🙂
I love the advice of everyone above. Just keep being productive and you will be on your way to your bigger and better future I just know it!
Know that I am thinking of you often and it won’t be long now until I’m back and raring to catch up!
Love,
Catherine – xoxo
Hi Sarah, I have actually been reading your blog for a while now and I have finally made an effort to post a comment and say I find them fun and inspiring. I completely understand your addiction to all things shoes, chocolate and then the worry associated with spending too much money, eating too much chocolate and then dealing with the stress of it. In response to your questions, I have always been known to stress over the smallest of things but I believe I have managed to find ways to relax by writing myself list and notes, drinking green or peppermint tea, savouring a piece (or 5) of chocolate at 3.30pm when the office afternoon low hits (and it is hitting harder these days). I have also found that exercise (pilates is my favourite) is an great way to de-stress and switch off. The only challenge is getting there initially and then focusing on the class and not focusing on my reflection in the mirror. I also wanted to point out that I’m impressed that you left your job and currently living jobless. How did you get to the decision to leave your job and find your dream job? I have been thinking about changing jobs for a while, but not only moving on, but changing industries into something I’m actually passionate about. My verbal diarrhoea got the better of me the other day and I told my manager that I’m not passionate about my job (in not so many words). Thank goodness he laughed it off and gave me the chance to explain myself. I think I’m still trying to convince myself!
Hi Mia! Lovely to hear from you 🙂
I love that you look at yourself in the mirror at Pilates – I am a MASSIVE culprit too!
I think when it comes to your job – a place that you have to spend 8 hours a day at with people you may or may not like – it needs to be something that makes you want to get up in the morning. I loved the people I worked with but when it got to the point that I was only going there to chat and no longer motivated to actually do the work I had, it was time to draw the line.
When we went to uni, we were taught you should work doing something you are passionate about, that inspires you and keeps you going. Our parents generation is the complete opposite. Not a lot of people can understand my motivation to leave without a job to go to but if you have a strong support networks – partner, family, friends – its definately worth taking the plunge. You may have seen I have been offered some jobs but I am not going to settle – I want to bounce out of bed everyday with the same enthusiasm I had when I was starting work at 15.
Thank you for your kind words and support! xxx