Peanuts

Since I have been out of work, I feel a little bit like Pigpen from the Peanuts comic strips.  My "dirt" is worry.  

There was a time, during my last layoff, when I worried about everything:  I worried about money, of course, but it was more than that.  I worried that I was in the wrong career, but I didn't know what to change.  I worried that I would have to take "any" job instead of the "right" job.  I worried about missed opportunities and opportunities that never were.  I worried that my worry would scar my son for life.  In the middle of the night I worried that I will lose my house and my dog will be given to strangers.

None of these things came to be.  I found a job that I thought was my dream job, I kept my family and my home intact, and I worked hard.  To find myself in the same position, 18 months later, was disheartening, but not defeating.

This time is different.  Having weathered that storm, I know that I am strong and capable, and I will find a job that is a good fit.  I read "The Secret" and understand and believe in the power of gratitude and conviction.  Therefore, I have decided that I will have a job that I am excited about, working with people that value my skills, by Labor Day weekend.   I learned things at my last job that will be valued and appreciated at the next, and I will excel.

This is not to say that I am sitting still doing nothing.  I am polishing up my resume with every application and writing unique cover letters to send with every one of them.  I am scouring the ads for marketing professionals and focusing on the positions that would allow me to make the strongest contribution.  In the meantime, however, I am going to accomplish other things.  In my last post, I discussed the value of decluttering.  I decluttered my mind, putting my worries to rest with conviction and resolve.   I am also decluttering my home.  

I have sold HUNDREDS of dollars worth of "stuff" at consignment, and used some of the credit to purchase things I need - or want - that I have had to cut out of my budget.  This is the ultimate in recycling.  I have an unhealthy, superstitious attachment to some items - dresses I wore to a particular event, gifts I received from people that have passed away or are no longer in my life, and items that I used to love...that I no longer do. 

I am shedding those items and preparing myself for the day when I can have a "playroom" and a "craftsroom" with the space I am clearing.  Along with the shedding of items, I am shedding their hold on me - and freeing up space in my home and my head.  It feels great - I am sleeping better, waking up excited about the progress I am making and even feeling more energized about applying for jobs.  I think that the feeling of accomplishment carries over into other areas of my life.  During this time, I need to feel empowered.  I need to feel like I am capable, worthy and competent.  So, I am balancing my job search with tasks that will allow me to feel fabulous.  


There are many other things that I am doing to feel better about my situation; this blog being one of them.  I recently gave a presentation on how to stay motivated during a job search, I am on the board of a prominent local nonprofit and I exercise frequently...


I am going to share more of these activities with you all, in the hopes that some of the ideas will resonate with you, so you can re-energize your search and find the peace and inspiration that I have.   


I challenge you - right now - to start thinking about your checklist.  Make a list of tasks you need to do, another of things you'd like to get done, another of the things you're worried about and another of all your strengths.  Keep lists of the jobs you apply for and even the rejections you receive.  

The more lists you make of the things taking up space in your head, the more you declutter your mind, allowing you to sleep better and awaken ready for new challenges every new day, as you take the next step on your journey.

Eliminate Clutter - Inside and Out

In the midst of a huge life change, problems can feel much bigger than they are.  When your coping skills are challenged, when you're worried and your patience is wearing thin, when you're trying to figure out where you're going to go - small challenges can seem insurmountable.

I have decided that this layoff is going to be different.  I am not going to worry all the time.  I am going to be patient, and if I am not sleeping, I am going to take something to help me sleep.  I am a better, stronger, healthier and happier woman, mother, girlfriend, sister, daughter and job applicant when I am well-rested.

I am also determined to challenge the clutter in my life.  And believe me - there is clutter.  There are the thousands of  "what ifs" and "should I or nots" running through my brain; there are jobs and skills and wants and needs.  There are bills and salaries and schedules and insurance worries.

To begin to clean out the clutter, I began making lists.  I made lists of companies I would like to work for, jobs I would love to have and jobs that I might like to have.  I made lists of bills that must be paid and bills that could be postponed a little.  I made lists of bank accounts and old 401Ks and insurance companies and medications.

I periodically review and revise those lists, but now that they are on paper, they no longer have the power to keep me up at night.  I check websites and apply for positions at the companies I research...then I compile and send my information and let it go.  I pay my bills as best I can, once a week, based on due dates, and I am grateful that I can do so.  I take my vitamins and brush my teeth and make sure that I express my thankfulness for a strong and healthy body daily.  And, I pray.  It doesn't matter, really, who you decide to pray to, but invite a higher power on your journey, and let that higher power carry some of your burden.  It can be too much to carry by yourself.

As I review and declutter these important "rooms" in my head, and in my soul, I am also decluttering my home.  I am going through every room in my house with the intention of eliminating any source of stress or worry.  Anything in my home that isn't useful, beautiful or a transmitter of joy no longer has a place.

Start to think about the things in your home.  Are there piles of magazines that you feel obligated to keep (you did SUBSCRIBE after all) but that you haven't had time to read?  You have permission to recycle them.  Do you have utensils or pots and pans in the kitchen that you never use, taking up space?  Pack them up!  Are there shoes or clothes in your closet that you haven't felt great in for a long time?  Get them cleaned and ready to go!

Don't worry - I am not only giving you permission to declutter your life - inside and out - but I am going to share some ideas for recycling, reusing and even making money from this endeavor.  When you are done, you will feel empowered, relaxed, hopeful and deserving of new opportunities.

To begin this part of your journey, start making lists of the things in your life that seem to demand the most attention.   As you make your lists and review the stressors in your life, they will lose their power and feel more manageable.  Just writing things down can help.  Come back to this blog over the next several days and I will help you on the next phase of your journey...we'll travel together.

Jen Lancaster, one of my favorite writers, got her start as a writer when she was laid off 10 years ago.  She is snarky, hilarious, and an inspiration.  On today's "Chick Lit Isn't Dead" blog, she had this to say:

"DO live in the moment. I got my start as a writer when I was laid off ten years ago. In that time while I was searching for a job, I never once just enjoyed the moment. Granted it’s hard to unclench when the wolves are at the door, but I feel like if I’d ever stopped for one second and thought, “For the next couple of hours, I should quit worrying and just appreciate that I don’t have eleven bosses telling me what to do,” then I probably would have been a lot less intense in my job interviews. In retrospect, I am very happy with how it all turned out, but I wish I could have cut myself a small break now and again."

While looking for a new job, prioritizing bills and (some days) trying just to get out of bed in the morning, we can often forget this very important advice.  This time around, I am hoping to remember it and live it!

There are some really wonderful things about my career, and I have amazing people in my life because of where I have been.  But, there were also some really challenging days, and some times when there was a LOT of STRESS!  It is ok, during this journey, to take time out and just breathe.

I am a "list girl" so I take my calendar every Friday afternoon and I block out my "search time," my "free time" and my "project time" for the following week.  All those outstanding household projects that were regularly hanging over my head (kitchen cupboard purge, anyone?) and the hobbies that I haven't had time for are actually scheduled in.  Even exercise makes it onto the list.  Once you write it down, it's official!  That is not to say that things don't change, but the commitment is there.  I have found that if I have my job search hours scheduled before I give myself permission to do other things, I can relax and enjoy the positive aspects of this time; significantly reducing my anxiety level.  It feels REALLY good to check things off of my lists!

I am at the beginning of this journey, but I have taken a similar trip in the very recent past.  So, I know, this time, I am going to do it differently - more effectively and more efficiently - with MUCH LESS STRESS!  I am going to accomplish things outside my search, and in doing so, I am going to feel stronger and smarter when I go back to work.

And, I WILL go back to work.  I have that on my calendar, too - and out in the universe.  I am confident that the right job is out there waiting for me - and your job is out there, too.  Let yourself just "be" sometimes, and you will find your path.