How to Spend Time While Unemployed

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:SpendTimeWhileUnemployed

Story Highlights

Introduction So you were fired and suddenly find yourself with a lot of free time on your hands.

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Introduction

So you were fired and suddenly find yourself with a lot of free time on your hands. You're used to getting up in the morning and going somewhere all day. This can be an emotionally challenging time. Other than looking for a permanent job, there are a number of productive ways to spend time while unemployed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Steps

1

Step One

Get your finances in order. Most people wouldn't find this fun, but it can be great stress relief to figure out how much money is coming in, how much is going out, what assets you have and how much money you'll need to break even every month.
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Step Two

Get in shape. If you got a little tubby sitting in an office all day, this is a great time to take up jogging, walking, lifting weights, yoga or whatever you'd like. Playing team sports is a good idea.
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Step Three

Learn something. Take a class at a local college, community college or vocational school. It could be something that just interests you, or some training that will lead to another job or career. Or teach yourself something.
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Step Four

Explore earlier interests that you set aside because you were too busy. Maybe you played a musical instrument, painted, cooked, did some sort of craft or wrote. Start doing that again. You might finish your novel this time. Maybe you have some books you've always wanted to read or movies you want to see. Now is a good time.
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Step Five

Go outside. Don't be a recluse. Go out for hikes in the park, go to the coffee place and hang out or go to the bookstore to pass time. Often places like museums are free.
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Step Six

Spend time with your friends and family. Maybe you've been too busy to do this as much as you'd like.
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Step Seven

Sell junk. If you have stuff that's sitting around and you have no particular use for it, have a garage sale or sell it on the Internet.
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Step Eight

Try freelance, temporary, contract or part-time work. It might not be a permanent solution but it will keep you busy, keep you networking and keep your skills up. It will give you something to put on a resume and you'll probably learn something. It will also relieve stress to have some money coming in.
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Step Nine

Volunteer somewhere. This will also keep you busy and allow you to network. This will also look valuable on a resume.
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Step Ten

Travel. If you've wanted to see the world then now is the time.

Overall Tips & Warnings

  • Chill out. This happens to almost everyone nowadays. Might as well spend time while unemployed on something productive. You'll probably get to know yourself and the world around you a lot better during this break from the rat race. Maybe you'll figure out what you really want to do with your life.
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