Comments on: Finding Balance Again

By: sameve

sameve — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:41:22 +0000

Don't worry, it's taken me a while to get to this point. Just remember that you control how you react to an unfortunate situation like being unemployed. If you can do what I'm doing and look at it as a new opportunity, and a chance to find something you really love to do, you'll be much happier!

By: sameve

sameve — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:39:50 +0000

I definitely already think like this. Honestly, my mindset/perspective can be described by a lot of cliches: Everything happens for a reason; What's meant to be will always find its way; Find the silver lining in the cloud…just to name a few. Like what you describe, it sounds like BS, but there's definitely some truth to it all. The way I see it, there are some things that are beyond our control, and they're going to happen to us no matter what we do. I didn't do anything to deserve this layoff, but it happened anyway. So, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I'm looking at it as a new opportunity. I have to say, thinking positively has made it much easier to deal with the situation. Thanks for your insight, and of course, your support

By: sameve

sameve — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:35:12 +0000

Oh weekends are killer, I know what you mean! It's hard to balance having a life, relaxing, and still being productive. Lists and goal sheets are definitely helpful. Like you said, it doesn't mean you won't take time to have fun, but you'll have some guidelines to make sure you get things done. Great idea!

By: Suburban Sweetheart

Suburban Sweetheart — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 04:56:42 +0000

I'm not nearly good enough at balance. And I'm about to find myself unemployed, too. Let me know if you come up with any more tips? <3

By: David

David — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:10:06 +0000

I have a feeling you already think like this, but…

I’m reading a book right now titled “Zen And The Art Of Happiness” by Chris Prentiss. In it he describes how everything comes at the appointed time. That everything that happens to you is the best possible thing that can happen to you (even if you label a lay off as a “bad” thing, there is a reason it happened at this point in your life, and that it is setting you up for something better down the line). And he assures us that the Universe doesn’t make mistakes.

Now whether or not that’s all just a bunch of ancient Chinese proverb bullshit, I don’t know. But I like to believe there is some truth to it. Because having that type of mindset is helping me change a negative attitude to a positive one when things are hard and I can’t seem to understand why “bad” things keep happening. Anyway, I’m rambling.

The point is, layoffs are hard. And keeping one’s sanity through a frustrating job hunt can be even more difficult. So yes, mix it up. Throw a little happy activity inbetween to break up the resume sending monotony. There is nothing wrong with taking a break from blogging and Tweeting. In fact, I’ve done it before and it was great – didn’t miss it a bit! Besides, too much social media rots the brain.

By: Akhila

Akhila — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 07:58:00 +0000

It's so true that keeping a balanced life is so hard when you don't have a 9-5 job or school or any activities that you HAVE to do. I guess I haven't gone through this, really, but I find that on weekday evenings and weekends I completely lack balance – I just get addicted to TV shows and stop doing much that is productive outside of work. Bad idea!

I do find that mapping out your long term goals and then listing out your day to day goals is a helpful tool. Right now, I'm creating a “2nd half of 2010″ goal sheet that lists out specifically what I would like to accomplish in the next 6 months or so. And then, I'm planning to create some weekly spreadsheets that will help keep me on track. That doesn't mean I won't take any time to have fun, but it just means that I'll be able to be more productive outside of work if I have a little nudge to help me get there – in the form of a detailed to do list that I can easily glance at!

By: sameve

sameve — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 03:06:26 +0000

Rachel: I totally know what you mean. It sounds silly to have to write things down in order to get them done, but when you're home all day, sometimes that's what you have to do. I literally just made a list that includes things such as dishes and put away clothes. Shower would be on there too, but I already did that…and that's only because I went to the gym this morning lol. But seriously, you are SO right. We ARE worth the work and the devotion! Thank you for that reminder!

By: sameve

sameve — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 03:04:02 +0000

I forgot you were going through this now too! Any time you need to freak out about it, just let me know. Seriously though, you're right. We cannot spend the entire day staring at our computer screens scanning for jobs. We'll go crazy. Your backpacking trip sounds amazing! Kudos for doing whatever you need to do for you

By: sameve

sameve — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 03:00:32 +0000

I knew you would totally get what I was saying here! I think one thing I'm realizing is that, funny as it sounds, I should set smaller goals like putting on a bra and taking a shower. Some days, that's as far as I'm going to get, and that's okay. This is time off from working, I don't want to burn myself out. I'm definitely taking the time to reassess, and applying to jobs that I would truly enjoy. I'm trying not to settle…we'll see how it goes. Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement!

By: Rachel Messenger

Rachel Messenger — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:35:36 +0000

Isn't it amazing that, when you have more time, you find yourself doing less? Or, as the case may be, doing more stuff that doesn't make you the person you want to be? Ugggh.

I sat down this morning and created a routine for myself. No more, “yeah, so, I think I'll blog, and then I'll check out such-and-such on the internet, and then yoga…,” because what that got me was a whole lot of daytime TV.

Luciano Pavarotti said that sticking to a routine isn't discipline, it's devotion. We're worth the work! We're worth the devotion! And if I literally have to create that devotion and routine from scratch on an Excel spreadsheet to keep myself on task, so be it! Even if we have to put “shower, use soap, dry off, put on bra” on our list.