The principles of money

At 14 years old I was laid off from my first job as a Dietary Aide.  They were relocating the company and gave those currently working at the facility the option to move or face unemployment. The fear of change dominated the conversations after the announcement.  My co-workers were undecided if the change would be beneficial or harmful to their lives.  Some chose retirement, some chose to work elsewhere, while others made the move.  I was headed into high school and decided to focus on my education.  I received severance pay and the option to collect unemployment.  I took both at the urging of my mother.  How do you steward your time once you’ve been laid off?

Keep Hope Alive

It is easy to feel hopeless in this season.  You lost the job needed to financially support your life.  This time of ambiguity can be frightening.  Feel all those feelings.  Mourn for the job you no longer have.  Once those initial waves of fear and hopelessness pass, it is time to pick yourself up.  You need to stay positive and know for sure that, things will get better.  For two years, during the Great Recession I applied to job after job with no success.  I was a recent graduate with no work experience.  I was up against unemployed candidates with years of knowledge. I took a lot of rejection.  I took breaks between applying and interviewing if I found myself becoming discouraged. When the feeling passed, I began applying for jobs again.  

Stay Focused

During unemployment you will find yourself with time.  Something that will be unfamiliar to you.  It is easy to cope, wasting it watching TV or playing video games.  It is important that you stay focused on the new thing.  This is your chance to get creative.  Is it a time to make a career change? Start a new business? Learn a new trade?  Do it now.  Concentrate on that new thing and work to make it happen.  You won’t get many opportunities in life to sit and think about your future and what you want it to look like.  You are too busy working!  Focus on what is ahead of you and not what you had.

Be a Good Steward

You have a choice in how you choose to steward this period of unemployment.  You can spend your time in fear and bitterness, or you can lean into the season. Take care of your body.  Go for walks around your neighborhood.  Be mindful of what you eat.  Take care of your money.  Now is a good time to review what you are spending your money on.  Cut out unnecessary expenses such as gym memberships and streaming services.  Your budget needs to be lean during this time.  Continue your daily routine.  Wake up at the same time and plan your day.  Be intentional of who and what you pay attention to.

Develop

You’ve given your old job at least 40 hours a week.  Imagine what you can learn in that time.  I picked up gardening during the Great Recession.  I enjoyed building raised beds and watching my garden grow.  After maximizing my space, my husband suggested I look for a bigger plot of land.  I found a nonprofit with a farm that leased farm space.  After a few months, I was approached and asked if I wanted to come work with them full time.  In my case, learning a new skill landed me a new job.  This is the perfect opportunity to do something you’ve never done.  You don’t know where it may lead.

Have Faith

Being unemployed is scary.  You don’t know when your next check is coming nor how long this season will last.  Faith is the most important thing to have during this time.  This too, will pass but until then steward what you have and be open to new experiences.