Being unemployed in San Francisco feels like I’m part of the Griswold family’s vacation to Wally World. I’m sure it’s the same in any city that you love. You get all excited about living in a city and then BAM! unemployment or in the case of the Griswold’s family vacation you have foreclosure on your end destination. Then you’re stuck at the gates of what could have been an amazing life and you freeze.
I went running this morning on the Land’s End trail and stopped to look at the bay turn into the ocean. I had one of those self-realizations moments — staring at the ocean is only fun when you have a job and you can contemplate life from the employed side of things. Staring at the ocean when you are unemployed is a waste of energy, time and makes me feels like a 90s Gen X cliche. Will the ocean answer life’s greatest questions? Maybe if I stare hard enough and move to a beach front tent but I think I’ll get more answers and meditation during my runs then stopping to smell the salt water.
It’s day three and for those who continue to ask — I am still ok. I’m well on way to the goals I assigned myself. I’ve ported over my blog to my domain, www.recentlylaidoff.com. I’ve opened my PHP book and I’m still applying for jobs. What’s always on the back of my mind is that I am not alone. I read a recent number from the Washington Post that says 11 million Americans are jobless and more frightened about the impending job loss. It’s hard to play the this sucks card when you hear a number like that. What a way to take the wind out of someone’s I’m special mantra.
I am not one to freely give advice, I’ve stated that I’m only on day three of unemployed/laid-off life but consider it for what it’s worth. For those that also have found themselves recently (or not so recently) unemployed don’t be afraid to ask for help. People like to help and will if they can. Use them, use your network. Don’t be ashamed to say, “I was part of layoffs.” You will be surprised at the amount of support you’ll receive. No body is going to hand you a job. It takes work. It does suck. But you, sitting around waiting for it to get better, does nothing.
Shoot, I really hope I still feel this way at week three, four, five and after.
