About ‘Me’
This blog is really about self-reinvention. Pure and simple. I’ve been thinking about launching this website for more than six months. As I mentioned on my launch post, losing a job - good, bad or indifferent - gives a person some extra time to pursue what has been brewing in one’s soul. This is one of them for me. Of all the things I’ve wanted to do, interestingly enough, this is by far the riskiest; and very risky at that! On the upside, it’s also the cheapest to start-up. Everyone told me while I was working, “That’s fine – all good and well. Just don’t quit your Day Job to do these things,” I was scorned. Well, Guess What My Friends?! I don’t have that day job to worry about anymore! So, I’ve asked myself, what the heck am I waiting for? The economy to turn around?
The job-search sucks at best; even my strong-holds that I can fall back on have given me the wet noodle. Nothing. So, you must figure some way to survive, right? You search for a job, find that great opportunity and then – bam! It’s in BFE with no paid relocation, no incentive to move and, quite frankly, no job security. This blog has the opportunity for me to be expressive, thoughtful and entrepreneurial in a world that embraces it. And I don’t have to move – you are my employer! Anyone, anywhere at anytime – 24/7! No precarious interviews, no commuting, no boss bossing, no clock ticking. Where was this 15 years ago?
I am unemployed and dedicated to help, mentally and spiritually, the unemployed community - or anyone interested in reading. Nowhere does this exist, that I know of. Just me to you about us. Stuck in a rut with no place to go? Not really…read on and imagine…
So I encourage each and every one of you: You don’t learn anything just scrolling through job boards – start something new and exciting! Take a risk! Rest assured if I can take on this venture, surely you can. Don’t be jailed into yourself. Break the 20th Century ties that bind, and reach for the stars. This site actually lives there.
As for who am I? That’s anyone’s guess… keep reading.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
just found your site and i’m so glad i did.
i’ve bookmarked it so i can find you again.
reading this post, i am impressed and agree with your outlook.
It feels good to read this and it is motivational and uplifting.
I am very tempted to heed your advice, suggestions.
Just one question: how do you pay your bills?
I get that you are following your dreams and doing what you
wanted to do now that you are unemployed.
But where does your livelihood come from?
I am collecting UI myself, but it hardly pays my utilities alone.
So, i spend 60% of my days looking for additional income.
thanks for this blog, I love it!
Hi Tere!
WOW–such compliments! Thanks for finding me and commenting! Well, it is costing me some bucks to produce all this and I am depleteing much of my savings by doing it. Part of my story is that all of the resources I have working on the site have been through my network, so I am getting deep discounts going into it. A good reason to network and barter services…get the word out you’re looking and people will help you as you are able to help them. UI is half my salary–savings and various “under the table” sources are covering me for now. At some point soon, it will all go away and I might be desolate, but this is my passion right now and I am doing everything I can to make it pay off. Many experts say it will and they, too, are trying to help me. Call it an investment in myself as opposed to some Company who won’t care if you live or die right now.
That should explain my livelihood–you say you are spending 60% of your time…I feel like I’m spending 160% because I am truly throwing everything I know how to get a job as I encourage all to do. I am also paying a price with creditors, family pressures and what have you. When ever this thing takes off, it will be quite a story. Thanks for being a part of it!
Please stay in touch!
Warmest Wishes-
TheUnemployMENTOR
Ah! I see.
It looks like we’re in the same boat, sort of.
Except for the bartering and networking, we are making ends meet in very
similar ways. UI and my savings is what’s getting me by, but as you say, that
won’t last forever.
At first, I was really spending 160% of all my time consumed and obsessed with finding work. But after ten months of unemployment, totally intent on finding my next job, it was beginning to take a toll on me. Exhaustion crept in and I hated waking up in the morning to another day of non-stop searching and asking for help. It was not good for my ego or my health. I realized it was time to cut back and relax a little. My health was more important than anything else. After all, if my dream job came tomorrow, what good is it if I’m too sick and drained of all energy? It got to the point where I felt like taking a vacation from unemployment! But of course, I couldn’t afford THAT.
So now, I look and do what I can to find work from morning until mid-afternoon, then I stop, and do things that bring me some sort of peace and pleasure. Even if it’s just looking at a furniture catalog or going to the Apple store to look at all my favorite gadgets (hey, I can still dream!) or taking a walk with a friend.
I have friends and co-workers who have recently been laid off and they claim to be enjoying it, “digging” unemployment. I feel like telling them enjoy it while you can because after ten months you won’t be digging it so much. However, I don’t want to be a party-pooper. I’d rather be supportive and I truly wish that they can find their next job a lot sooner than I have.
I’ll be reading your site every day, thanks again,
tere
Tere–You are SO right! I actually have been at it too long as I now have neck and back problems. If you don’t have your health (which I have blogged about) what good are you? They do say everything in moderation, so you are doing it perfectly–just make sure when you are looking you are as creative and forward- thinking as you can be looking at all your strengths and weaknesses and how you can build on those and improve your skills-set at the same time. I am glad to say you have a very healthy outlook on the chaos and hopefully it will pay off for you very soon!
Until next time-
TUM
greetings,
i have a question that i hope you can help me with. i had a edd telehone interview with the edd on 12/04/09 between 8:00am-10:00am.
poblem i have is edd never called me but they lied and said that they did and nobody answered the phone. because of that they denied my request for benefits.
i have all phone records from comcast phone service that shows all incoming calls all miss calls and all answered calls. they said my only option is to file a appeal, but that could take months. i have been unemployed since october. what can i do???.
Hi Bill!
Thanks for your email and interest!
If the EDD had your correct phone number and they said they dialed the number you said you’d be at during this time and you said they did not call, you have a major problem. I would check with the EDD to follow-up on the phone numbers they have on record for you to make sure they have everything correctly based on your original claim. If they do have your information correctly and they did call the correct number, I would try to get that document from them to prove the call was attempted and no one picked up the phone. If they have an incorrect phone number for you, you might have a case! Ultimately it will be your word against theirs…all you can do is be honest and hope for the best. I would get as many proof docs from them to help you out…good luck and keep me posted!
As someone who is just about to enter month #7 of unemployment and also, someone who has been blogging for months about my unemployment, I’m happy to have found your site (just read your “interview” with the 405 Club).
I had originally thought that my unemployment would allow me the opportunity for some “active leisure” time.. (thus, the name of my blog) but I realized all too quickly that juggling the enormous mood swings & the lack of motivation to get out of my pajamas all intermingled with endless job hunting didn’t really provide for me the positive activity I was looking for. I’m glad to see that you have such a positive outlook on this new chapter in your life. And, I wish you much success with this new endeavor!
If you’re looking for some lighthearted/comedic posts about the daily challenges of unemployment (or whatever happened to be on my mind on any given unemployed day) please feel free to stop by my blog!
http://activeleisure.wordpress.com
Best of luck to you!
Howdy!
Thanks for your comment and Congrats and good job on your website! This is all part of the therapy–you are being active by doing this and helping others as well–please keep it up. Your posts are beneficial and humor is one of my topics; crucial during this time. Please know you are not alone and continue connecting with all of us jobless folks. No matter what you do each day, getting dressed is vital to your mental and physical health. Consider your home your office and act accordingly. Your work and efforts are valued–good luck and stay in touch!
Warmest Wishes!
TheUnemployMENTOR