January 12, 2009
Unemployment: A fine time to reconnect with hobbies and family?
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NWjobs
Speaking of surveys, there were a rash of them from outfits like CareerBuilder.com in 2007 and early 2008 saying that many workers -- especially parents -- would gladly cut back their work hours and salary in exchange for more quality time with their family, friends, and hobbies.
I have a friend who used to work in freelance film and video production in the 90s, which is a fancy way of saying she'd work 14-hour days for two or three weeks straight, followed by seven to 10 days off. Only she could never enjoy her down days because she was always worried about where her next gig was coming from and whether she'd have enough money to make it through the month if a new job didn't materialize, like, now.
I'm more of a go-with-the-flow freelancer who prays for days off, so my friend and I argued about the "panic between jobs" mindset a lot. "Why live the project-to-project work life if it stresses you out that much and you can't even enjoy your extended weekends?" I'd say to my friend.
But having heard from so many other buddies, sources, and strangers who've been laid off in recent months, I'm reconsidering my argument with my long-time friend. Maybe she wasn't cut out for the project-based way of making a living (she now has a full-time telecommuting job for one company and is much happier). But maybe she was also onto something.
Tell me, readers, if you've been laid off, have you been able to allocate any of your newfound daytime hours to those hobbies or that quality time with loved ones you used to crave while stuck at work? Or has the job of looking for a job and the stress and financial uncertainty of unemployment sapped up any hope of putting those extra hours you've gained to more fulfilling pursuits?
Michelle Goodman is the author of "My So-Called Freelance Life" and "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide." E-mail Michelle at mgoodman@nwjobs.com
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- Finally, some hiring and flex work statistics to cheer about
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Karen Burns is the author of The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl, a career guide based on her 59 jobs over 40 years in 22 cities.
Lisa Quast is a certified career coach, mentor, business consultant, former corporate executive and author based in the Seattle area.
Randy Woods writes about job-search tools, networking techniques and other tips to help you land your dream job.
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Matt Youngquist is the president of Career Horizons, a career counseling firm.
Natalie Singer is a Seattle writer, editor and small-business owner.
Michelle Goodman is the author of "My So-Called Freelance Life" and "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide."
Paul Anderson helps professionals in transition find their desired employment.
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Dan on January 12, 2009 9:10 PM | Reply
Michelle,
I hope you try unemployment yourself so you can better write about it.
stephanerd on January 13, 2009 5:55 AM | Reply
The hours and days immediately following the loss of your income are incredibly fraught...filled with panic and desperation.
This is followed by the realization that you've been given a gift...the gift of time. Time to take for yourself. Time to be really really picky about the next job you choose.
As this period of time lengthens (and lengthens), you return to panic. And so it goes...
I'm a freelancer, but I had all my eggs in two baskets and, when the larger one disappeared about four months ago, I entered the cycle. At this point, I'm appreciative of the extra hours I've been given, and have used them to grow my blog, send out pitches, experiment in the kitchen, and look into continuing education.
Who knows how long this complacency will last, though...perhaps until the next set of bills comes due...?
michelle goodman on January 13, 2009 7:09 AM | Reply
Dan, I have. Both as a full-timer and a freelancer, and during recessions, only not yet during this one. I was thrilled to have the time off, but only because I had some money saved up and no dependents to feed. Since I have not yet experienced unemployment during this recession, I'm asking readers to weigh in.
Nancy on January 14, 2009 10:46 AM | Reply
I agree with Stephanerd... Having gone thru multiple layoffs during the dot-bomb fiasco, I would say that it is akin to all the stages of grief: shock, denial, anger, etc... but it is much easier to go through if you have a support system in place (family and friends) and have some savings to rely on. Without these things, panic is inevitable...
I've found, the best way to get through the situation is to PLAN AHEAD. Make sure you have a support system in place. Set aside as much savings as you can (before you get that pink slip.) And look at this as a true opportunity, however forced, to FIND A JOB (OR LIFE) THAT IS MEANINGFUL TO YOU.
If you plan ahead, this IS a good time to be introspective, figure out what is working and what is not, and give yourself time to REJUVENATE and BREATHE... Nothing kills positive momentum faster than desperation or panic... And despite the reported "outlook" --there are always opportunities out there... But you'll never find them, sitting on your couch wallowing...
Robyn on January 18, 2009 7:20 AM | Reply
I cannot make a claim as a laid-off casualty as I quit my job voluntarily in July. I pursued my own craft business and felt confident that other supplemental income would be found. Slowy that is happening and although I have had moments of stress and panic, these months off have been such a time of rejuvenation. I was ok, because I had a good amount of cash in my Freedom Fund and boy have I felt the freedom. I had no idea how burned out I was. I stayed occupied but the beauty of having my days to myself were awesome. It is time to get back in the game and I must say I am ready. I like the structure of a day job, esp a part time day job with time to work on my business as well. And yes, I did read Michele's book to help me plan for this adventure. Thanks for providing a blueprint!
Joseph on January 22, 2009 8:18 AM | Reply
Work is overrated. Trouble is, Americans are so strapped by debt (mostly for meaningless things), most can't afford not to work. If Americans were savings based, vs. consumerism based, they'd have a cushion to fall on when times get tough. Live simply so that others may simply live is lost on them, which is a shame, because this little adage holds the secret to happiness.
Judy on January 26, 2009 11:25 AM | Reply
For most people, lay off from your job, or being let go causes panic and fear. Bills, kids, mouths to feed, mortgages and the list goes on and on of things unemployment and your savings will not cover. All this talk about free time and ways to enjoy it.....it doesn't work that way for 99% of Americans - we live paycheck to paycheck - and its not necessarily because we are over extended - its because wages have not kept up with the cost of living. Fired from my job in July of last year, I had a mortgage to meet, kids to feed, medical bills, no credit cards, no loans (other than school loans), and a decent amount of savings - but here we are in Janaury of the next year, and I'm still unemployed. The savings is gone, and if I work part time someplace, I lose part of my unemployement. I have no spouse, no one to rely upon. Soon the house will be gone. This is the reality of the American dream, the reality of what happens to the down time when you lose your job...I've extended my search to 5 states. Its called a recession. Its ugly and its real.