I am starting to feel useless and i am so depressed...

Dear Adey,

I have been unemployed for over 6 months. Finding another job has been really difficult. I apply for jobs everyday but i was wondering what else i could do with my time. I am starting to feel useless and i am so depressed.

Thank you

Tony


Dear Tony

I am so glad you asked this question because it shows that you are thinking and willing to learn and for that i am proud of you. There is no reason to be depressed or feel useless. Your overall success is not dependent on a 9-5 Job rather it is dependent on what you know and most importantly what you do with what you know.

I understand that unemployment in different countries vary and some are worse than others but you have got to keep yourself occupied with something meaningful. You have to keep learning and growing.

Here are a few things you can do with your time....

• Spend your time adding value to yourself by learning a new skill. This is not only good for you but it will also help you with your next job. No employer wants to hire individuals who have been doing absolutely nothing with their time. It shows lack of creativity. Don't just add any skill for the sake of it, add one that is meaningful to you.  Also you could work for free in the industry of the skill you are considering if you cannot afford to pay for it.  Experience goes a long way and adds tremendous value.

• You could also spend time to discover your passions. This is a perfect time and besides it will pay off in the future. 

• Create a Job for yourself. I bet you have something of value within you that can be exchanged for money.  Your thing of value could range from makeup artistry, photography, baby sitting, driving for long hours( Uber driving) to whatever. Just look out for needs in your environment and provide the solution. Your unemployment may actually lead to a fresh start up business.  You never know until you try.

• Spend some hours job hunting. While all these ideas stated above are great. i do not want you to get so distracted. you still have to dedicate some hours in the day searching for new opportunities

• Unemployment is not a disease so i don't want you to spend all your day in the house looking and acting all depressed. Get out there and network with people. Your next employer might be at your next event or someone who could link you up might just be out there.

• Act like you still employed and dedicated 8 hours of your day to doing all of these things and still have fun at the end of day or week, whichever works best for you. 

• Get up in the morning, dress up and head out to the library or some place quiet away from home to get on with your to do list. Staying at home makes you lazy and also makes you available to a lot of distractions.  

• Stay committed and focused on learning and growing. You never know when your next job or opportunity will come knocking.

Not having a job is not an excuse to be a nuisance to your society, family, friends or yourself. Unemployment does not mean unqualified so don't act like a failure. This is just a temporary phase in your life. Please do not make it permanent by having the wrong attitude.

I really do wish you the best of luck and i hope you write me back with your success story.

All the Best

Adey