No doubt about it, job searching can be a draining, emotionally gut-wrenching, and depressing experience. The world as you know it hangs in the balance throughout a long, anxiety-ridden jaunt through the unknown. As a job search expert, a big part of what I do is help clients stay “up” emotionally throughout the process. I feel for you! So here are some thoughts on how to stay up during an extended job search, contributed by real live job seekers like yourself:
- Treat your body like a temple – quit smoking, exercise, stay hydrated, eat well, rest well, and keep yourself nicely groomed.
- Get outside every day for at least 30 minutes – fresh air, sunshine, and nature are free and powerful medicine.
- Limit Internet, television, and other electronic depressants.
- Volunteer for worthwhile causes where your contributions are truly appreciated.
- Go to church, meditate, do yoga, read inspirational books, and anything else that keeps your life situation in the proper perspective.
- Avoid grumpy, pessimistic, critical, demanding people. Spend time with supportive, energetic, curious, positive people who are always trying something new.
- Spend time with babies, puppies, kittens – or any beings you enjoy who are in the moment, full of wonder, awe, and affection.
- Get a part-time job that you can get at least a little excitement from.
- Throw yourself a pity party once in a great while. Go all out and really get it all out of your system, then the next day, move on.
- Ask your closest friends to tell you five great things about you.
- Cut yourself some slack if you’re feeling angry, bummed, or tired. Give yourself permission to take a break from the search every so often.
- Go back to school to develop a new skill, whether it’s job search related or something fun you’ve always wanted to learn (like a foreign language, cooking, pottery, dance). Learn something new even if you have to get a student loan.
- Put something purely fun on your to-do list each day – if you look, you can probably find free and low-cost sources of entertainment (free art exhibits and live music at coffee shops, free video and music rentals at the library, etc.).
- Get your expectations on straight. Job searches take a lot time (about a month of full-time searching for every $20k in annual salary you’re seeking). The more outreach and follow-up you do, the quicker your search will go.
- Lighten up. If you can cultivate a lighthearted approach during a challenging time, people will enjoy getting to know you and spending time with you.
- Develop a habit of gratitude to replace the habit of self-pity. Count your blessings at least once a day, in writing.
If you have consistently tried most or all of the above and you’re still seriously bummed out, please get yourself to a qualified, compassionate mental health professional as soon as humanly possible.