7 Useful Things to Do While You Are Unemployed

Written by: Gilbert Goh

One of the most dreadful outcome of unemployment is the large span of free time we have. Many simply sleep away so that they do not have to think of ways to spend away the emptiness.

Lets face it – having too much time is not a good thing if we do not  know what to do with it. When we are  working, we wish that we have more time to do up our perosnal stuff and some even take medical leave so that they can rest or take a day off from the stress at work.

I use to sleep in the afternoon when I was unemployed as it was not only hot but tiring staring at the PC the whole day. After taking my daily nap, I suffered from insomniac during the evening as my body was still alert. Things became better when I dropped the daily nap from my schedule.  I could sleep better at night.

The internett remained my daily solace for many months and I think this is the case for many who are unemployed out there. We can’t envisage ourselves staring into space with nothing to do every day when we wake up.

So the list goes:

1. Start to  pack your house

I managed to tidy up my house and literally put it into order as I took out old mail and started to remove old clothes as well. I realised that we  accummulated alot of rubbish in our wardrobe and cupboards. With alot of time on my hand, I decided to repack my house and found the experience exhilirating.

A reader in transition told me that he took a month to do up his house after been laid off. He knocked nails on to loosened door planks and tidy up his garden. He found the experience very theraupetic as he was doing something useful with his free time.

Time spent: one week of three hours daily

Result: Satisfying

2.  Going for lunch with my mum

I also decided to lunch with my mum weekly as she came over every weekend to stay with us. It was at first difficult to go lunch with my mum as I did not do that for many decades! We did not talk much anyhow during lunch but the experience was delightful as it cemented our relationship as  monther and son immensely. I wonder how many here bring their mother out for meals regularly besides the annual Mother’s Day event?

I later performed this weekly ritual for many eyars till she has stroke two years ago.  I missed those weekly lunch sessions with my mum but at least I have done it for the past five years.

Time spent: once a week for many years

Result: very satisfying

3. Learn something new

I have managed to learn alot of stuff from the internet. It is a rich resource nest for new information. For example, after a friend helped me to set up this website, I learned much more from meddling around on my own. There is just so much more to learn when you decide to mess around with the wordpress programme. The best part of it is most of the information dished out is free of charge.

Many have also learn how to earn money from selling stuff on ebay and using paypal as a payment engine. A friend I knew make thousands of dollars on the internet selling wrist watches online. The best part is he is still a varsity student!

So go on a free learning experience on the internet. Use it to learn something new every month. Learn to set up your own blogsite using blogspot.com or wordpress. Who knows, you can even earn something from google ads if your site becomes famous!

Time spent: daily

Result: Satisfying

4. Volunteering

I have long being an advocate of volunteerism. It is not only theraupetic but also take things out of your mind.

When one volunteers, we give of ourselves for the welfare of others and alot of good can come out of it often blessing the the one who volunteers as well.

The volunteer gets to see that  there are many others who are worse off than us. I used to work in the Society for The Physically Disabled (SPD) and every week volunteers would join us to help in our disability programmes.

Many are regulars and some even took leave to spend some time with the centre. When asked why do they volunteer rain or shine, their reply is always the same: “I find that after volunteering, my soul is blessed and I left the place a happier person.”

Transitioning has tied up with the disability employment centre Bizlink to match volunteers with thsoe who are working in the  centre. Do elt me know at gilbert@transitioning.org if you are keen.

Time  spent: once a fortnight

Result: very satisfying

5. Keep a journal

With so much time on your hand, it is wise for someone in transition to keep a journal of his life’s journey.

I used to write alot when I was unemployed -  often to vet out my frustrations. Some of my writings got printed on the papers and I have since  contributed regularly to our papers  since 2001. As many as one hundred over letters were printed since then and every month there must be at least five letters that out in the major papers.

I love to write out my thoughts and have find this release very theraupetic for me. In fact, most of  the writings I did on my journal  have appeared in my recent book “How to survive unemployment”.

So do take up a journal and pen your innermost thoughts on it. You never know that a publisher may be keen to take it up as a book project.

Time spent: daily

Result: satisfying

6.  Take up a new hobby

Many others in transition I knew have taken up a new hobby. They could not take it up when they are busy working and there is also  simply not enough time left after work to do so. Now, with much time on hand, many have explore territories that they have not do so before and with good effect.

A friend of mine took up fishing and would go for his new hobby thrice a week. He told me that it was the best time of his life as he had a good severance package and could take up something that he wanted to all along but couldn’t due to time constraint.

Personally, I took up running and have ran in marathons since the fateful period of life in transition.

I contiuned my thrice-weekly running bouts since then. It is not only good for my health but also a strong stress releaser.

So take up something that you have yearn for all along. When you return to work, you may not have any time or energy left. Life is also too short to put up something that you love to do all along but have no time.

Time  spent: as often as possible

Result: very satisfying

7.  Take time to think and redefine your life

Many of us have little time to think for ourselves. After graduating, we were rushed to work, get married, have kids and grow old.

When we retire, many I know regret how many things they have put off due to a lack of time and energy.

In fact, for some, being lay off may be the best thing that could happen to you. Now, you have time to think and perhaps redefine your life’s priorities and goals. Are you just going to be a person who is known to be just an excellent worker? Will there be regrets when you retire and try to turn back the clock. Time and tide waits for no man i heard.

With so much time after being laid off, it may be good to think through what will be your life’s goals from now on.  Do they need redining?

What kind of life’s legacy will you want to left behind? When you pass on, how will people remember you? Will you be remembered as a good conscientious executive, a good husband and father or a dear friend whom people can count on and t urn to? Hopefully, your life will change for the better after life in transition.

Time spent: as often as possible

Result: long lasting legacy

I hope that I have left behind enough resources for one to spend the tons of time he has on hand.

Always remember that time once left behind can never be turned back.  Use it wisely in whatever situation you are in right now.

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1. 7 Ways To Move Out Of Depression For The Unemployed
2. 7 Ways To Come out of Prolonged Unemployment
3. 7 Ways To Recession-Proof Your Job
4. Seeking Help When Unemployed
5. Eight Tips For Living While Unemployed
6. Should you grab any job that comes along?
7. Facing Joblessness With Confidence – Be Prepared
8. 7 Major Traumas of Unemployment
9. How To Maintain Family Harmony During Unemployment
10. How To Tell Your Family When You Are Being Laid Off