Hi Gilbert,
 
I am still struggling  to adapt in Perth  since we relocated here mid last year. There is always this unsettling feeling about  getting a job – losing hope already, weather – freezing cold, lifestyle – doing the same thing each and everyday including weekend, city and train unprovoked violence, etc.  I have this anxiety of wanting to return to Singapore for good. 

 It doesn’t help that my wife is now happily working away as she is posted here by her company so automatically she has a job waiting for her. To make things worse, we also don’t have many friends here and I live life like a social recluse.

For me, it is like a body without soul, don’t know when will I  have the courage to step forward and do something different for myself. Even though I am flying back to Singapore for 2 weeks soon, the thought of coming back here without a job really put me in a lousy mood. Thankfully, with a church friend’s help,  I managed to get  2 weeks  of ad-hoc  job but after that there was nothing.

I am also not into volunteering as you have advised me to due to my introverted nature. I hardly venture out of my home especially in this cold winter period. The self-imposed confinement is literally driving me nuts!

 Actually for me, I really don’t know what I want out of life considering that I have a supportive  loving wife and a well behaved son.  I have  been searching for the answer since last year and still could not find it.  I am not that religious and noble as you (it is meant to be a compliment to you and not take it as an insult )to do those kind of things you are pursuing. 
 
Maybe,  I just have to listen to my wife and pray to and trust God and be able to get out of this misery soon as I am finding life is really meaningless – always get bogged down in this frustration maze!

What should I do if I’m feeling very very very tired of living and the feeling keep getting stronger and stronger with each passing day, as there is nothing for me to look forward to………..please pray that I will not snap one of these days.

Regds,

Jimmy (not his real name)

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Hi Jimmy,

Thanks for your mail.

 I guess a main part of the problem will be solved if you can find something to occupy your time. When we are very free, the mind sometimes wander aimlessly and this can be bad if we don’t use it wisely. Not having a goal in life is also not helping the situation.

To find work abroad, you can’t simply send in your resumes to potential employers like in Singapore – you have to literally ask  around for work and this is tough for us Singaporeans! While we have our own network of friends whom we can tap on when we job search at home, the same can’t be said if we are doing it abroad.

 We are also too self conscious for our own good  and this will set us back when we want to look for work while  abroad.

 Have a plan  and decide that you want to find work within a certain time frame. List the advantages of working so that when you face any obstacles while job searching, you can go back to that list for motivation. A very strong positive mindset is required for the jobless looking for work  abroad.

 Plan to visit a potential employer using the cold call method. Email first, call them if possible and then drop in with a resume for a face to face visit. The worst scenario that can happen to you is  that they have no vacancies for the time being!  They won’t scold you or tell you off…

 Studies have shown that normally after the sixth or seventh cold-call try, there will be an employer who has a potential vacancy or opening for the genuine jobseeker. It may not be a full time position but at least you have overcome a major hurdle psychologically and has learned to move out of your impasse.

 Also, if you choose to volunteer, this will definitely bring you out of the house and make you feel that you are contributing to others in a beneficial manner. Volunteering can sometime lead to a potential job offer as the organisation may have certain vacancies in place and will surely offer it to the volunteer who has show commitment and sincerity.

 Staying at home will not help the situation one bit so have a plan for the next few weeks that will bring you out of the house.

 If you have found work back home and  seriously consider taking it  up –  go for it though that means your family may be living apart.

 Hope this has help you.

 Be brave and dont give up!

 Regds,

Gilbert