Photo by Jordan McQueen on Unsplash
As the title suggests this is part two of an ongoing blog series I'm writing during my adventures in unemployment. It's been therapeutic for me to get some of my thoughts out, and hopefully my ramblings might inspire some people who are going through a similar situation. The first two rules are:
1. Wake up at a normal time
2. Put pants on
If this is confusing to you, then you should probably read the first blog in the series.
...and we're back
Nobody plans to lose their job. At least smart people don't. My dad told me at an early age to never quit a job unless you have something else lined up, but it's hard to be ready for the hit you don't see coming. Those are the ones that knock you flat on your face.
These thoughts are bigger than losing a job. I can only speak from my experience, but there are people from every walk of life who, without warning, have to pick themselves up off the ground from a hit they didn't anticipate. I hear about people all the time who have lost a job, or a family member, or who are going through a divorce. Hopefully, these rules can help anyone pick themselves up off the ground after experiencing a loss.
Rule #3: Do at least one productive thing every day
This might sound simple, which is why I said "at least one productive thing every day". The point is to push yourself to stay productive. Depressing things are depressing, there's no way around it, and everyone grieves in different ways, but at some point you have to start digging yourself out of the hole or you risk being consumed by it. By staying productive and accomplishing tasks every day we keep the reward centers in our brain active. This part of our brain has an incredible power to affect our mood for the better. In other words staying productive is like having a bulldozer instead of a shovel when you try to dig out of your depression and move forward.
Today I did something that my wife asked me to do months ago (sorry babe!). We have garden hoses that are just piled up in the bushes in the front yard, and by the deck in the back yard. We purchased reels so that they would be rolled up nice and neat, but I kept putting it off.
It ends today.
Rule #4: Do something for someone else every day
This accomplishes a few things. Like rule #3, by doing things for other people we keep the reward centers in our brain active. Also, when we look to do things for other people it's inevitable that we find people who are going through a tough time as well. This reminds us that we are not the only people in the world who are suffering. This process may also lead you to someone who can walk with you through your difficult time.
Rule #4.1: Rules 3 and 4 can't be accomplished by the same activity. No cutting corners!
I'd love to hear how you guys are putting these rules into practice. You can email me at inbox@jeremywoodring.com or find me on twitter @jwood4904 or Facebook at Facebook.com/jeremy.woodring or simply leave a message in the comments