It’s a word that carries so much weight, and yet, until you’re in it, you don’t truly understand the emotional journey that comes with it.
When I first became unemployed, it felt like the floor had dropped beneath me. I had so many questions swirling in my head:
“What now?” “How long will this last?” “Am I still valuable without a job title?”
There was fear—of financial uncertainty, of losing direction, of not knowing what tomorrow holds. There was guilt—feeling like I should be doing more, applying for more jobs, being “productive” all the time. And there was sadness—a deep, quiet grief over the routine and identity I had unknowingly built around work.
But beyond the fear and frustration, there was something else I didn’t expect: stillness.
For the first time in a long time, life slowed down.
No rushing in the morning, no packed schedules, no meetings. Just… time. And while that scared me at first, it slowly became a gift I never saw coming.
Now, don’t get me wrong—this season hasn’t been all sunshine and roses. It’s a rollercoaster, with emotional highs and lows that come and go without warning. But I’ve been learning how to cope, to find beauty even in the uncomfortable parts.
And here’s how I’ve been doing it:
š 1. Allowing Myself to Feel Everything
Instead of bottling things up, I’ve learned to name my feelings. Some days I feel hopeful. Some days I cry. Some days I feel completely stuck. And that’s okay. Giving myself permission to feel is the first step to healing.
š§♀️ 2. Slowing Down Without Guilt
I used to feel guilty for not being "productive" every hour of the day. But now, I’m giving myself space to rest. To nap when I need to. To go for a walk. To simply be. And that’s not laziness—it’s recovery.
š¶ 3. Cherishing 24/7 Time With My Son
If there’s one thing I’m deeply grateful for, it’s the time I now get to spend with my son. Every giggle, every question, every quiet afternoon nap beside him—these moments are precious. I know I’ll never get this kind of time back once I’m working again, so I’m soaking it all in.
✍️ 4. Journaling and Writing
Writing has become therapy for me. Whether it’s blog posts like this or short reflections in my notebook, putting my thoughts into words helps me process everything better.
š 5. Leaning on Faith and Hope
On the hardest days, I remind myself that this is just a season. A temporary pause. I pray, I breathe, and I hold onto the belief that something good is waiting on the other side of this.
Unemployment is not just about being jobless—it’s an emotional ride. Some days you feel lost. Other days you feel hopeful. But no matter what, you're growing through it, even if it doesn’t look like it right now.
To anyone going through this too: be kind to yourself. You are not behind. You are not failing. You’re just in between chapters—and sometimes, the pause in the story is where the deepest transformation happens.
“This season may not be where I thought I’d be, but maybe, just maybe, it’s exactly where I need to be.”
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