Dole Worries

LegacyUser

I am soon to join the vast ranks of the unemployed for the first time in my life.
The thought of it is really starting to get me down now and I am wondering how people cope/adjust to unemployment.

LegacyUser

Hi OP, I am in the same position as you, I need to sign on for the first time at the end of the month, I am into my second week unemployed. I feel like a complete waster, getting up when I wake at 10 or 11 am, going to bed later at night. I thought I would love the free time but TBH I feel so uncertain about the future that is freaking me out.

I have no interest in catching up or calling the people I said I would, no motivation at all to exercise like I did regularly before this. Today I am planning on getting into a proper routine again, restarting my exercise regime, completing application forms etc., Time is passing quickly andthe longer I leave things the less interest I have. Time now to pick myself up and try something new, might neven go back to Yoga class this evening. Don't get stuck in a rut its such an easy thing to do. Good Luck

Darksaga87

Its one of things that ya have to accept, when i was on it i took up a hobby, played more football. made the time work for me. Being on the dole to me is like prison, its a stage in your life that you have little to nothing to do. So make the time work for you. Dont sit around waiting for things to get better. Keep looking for work and use the time to do something possitive. When i was on the dole i was the healthiest i had ever been!!

IvyTheTerrible

I was unemployed for a good while and it really got me down. I found that having a strict routine really helped. For examples, set your alarm to get up in the morning (doesn't have to be too early but no need for you to hang around in bed all day).

Try not to watch too much daytime tv, that is soul-destroying (I found).

Take up a hobby, like soccer or something that doesn't cost a lot of money.

Why not volunteer? That'll keep you busy too.

getonyourboots

Its not the end if the world, look at all the things you can do with your free time.
More time to go out and party, no more worrying about going to work with a hangover. Work on your golf handicap. Why not spend some time traveling and take a few holidays, this week New York next week Rio.
And If you really need cheering up, why not treat yourself to a snazzy new motor.

Otis Driftwood

Ive been on it since Christmas having worked for 10 years and I have to say the first few months I found it demoralising.I never claimed a thing in my life but I now realise that there are thousands in the same boat and it could be worse,I dont have any kids or a mortgage to worry about so for that Im thankful.

What Ive been doing is reading alot,trying to get out and about as much as possible.Im lucky in that my parents own a farm so there is usually something to potter around on that.

The most important thing is not to get into a pattern of staying in bed til 11 or 12 and sitting up until 2 or 3 in the morning.Believe me,that will make you feel an awful lot worse.Im out of bed by 9.30 at the latest every morning,go out for a walk with the dog,go for a drive,get the paper,check emails and search for jobs etc.Its a matter of finding a way to break up the day.

Even buying one of those "...... for dummies" books and learning something new.You have to try and keep your brain active cos if you get into a funk,its incredibly hard to get out of it.

The Recliner

Getonyourboots if you have nothing helpful to add then please restrain yourself from posting

It can easily be arranged so that restraint isn't required

squonk

OP it's hard to do but you have to realise that it's not your fault you're in this position and then start thinking about how you can get on with things. I was lucky for some of my time off that a mate who worked at a college set me up with an acccount on the college network where I could go and use the facilities to brush up my skills and look for work. Before that however I was doing he same at home on my own computer.

Sounds naff maybe but you've a new job now and that job is to keep your skills updated and to look for work. If you start to look at things in that light it amkes it easier. I won't say it always did the trick for me but it at least helped me get back going after I stopped doing anything constructive.

Also go for plenty of walks outside and indulge your hobbies. Take up new ones too. I ended up learning the guitar which I wouldn't have done normally. Also, do some projects aroudn the house if you can. Gardening or painting helps as well. I used to look at things in the light that, 'I've feck all money but plenty of time' so I'd normally get stuck into time consuming jobs that would be too much of a pain in theneck to do when I was working.

I don't want to give the impression it was all sunshine but it's what you make it and I think the trick is to slow down a bit because nothing happens as quickly as it does when you're working.

silverharp

consider what educational opportunities are open to you , I've no idea how long you have to wait before you would have access to state funded training opportunities. Maybe look at OU as a possibility.

Firetrap

Oh poor you. I was in your shoes nearly 10 years ago and the experience has made me really appreciate having a job.

The main thing I'd say to you is to keep busy. I was living at home with the olds at the time and I painted every room in the house, stripped ivy off walls, did the garden. Took the dog for long walks.

Don't fall into the habit of going to bed late and getting up late. It's a habit that's all to easy to fall into.

+1 on learning new skills. Even if it's just a musical instrument or something like that. There are plenty of free lessons on YouTube and websites explaining how to do all sorts of things.

Try not to look too far into the future. That was hell - the wondering when am I going to get a job again? It's not nice having to survive on a lot less money than you're used to but at least you're in Ireland. The unemployed are looked after better here than they are in some countries.

Vasco

getonyourboots wrote: »

Its not the end if the world, look at all the things you can do with your free time.
More time to go out and party, no more worrying about going to work with a hangover. Work on your golf handicap. Why not spend some time traveling and take a few holidays, this week New York next week Rio.
And If you really need cheering up, why not treat yourself to a snazzy new motor.

Classic.

Zaph

Vasco wrote: »

Classic.

Vasco, you're new here so you're getting the benefit of the doubt. However any further unhelpful or off-topic posts will get you banned from this forum. I suggest you acquaint yourself with the the charter before posting anything further in PI/RI.

mam1

Hey there yes it can be soul destroying alright my OH has been out looking for work for over a year now however our home is looking lovely he has painted and papered every room made our garden lovely and then when he had ours done he gave some of the neighbours a hand as well..you can always find a little job that needs doing main tip dont turn on the t.v. til after 6pm it just stops you from getting out there. Good luck with it all.

bigdaddyliamo

+1 on the routine advice.I've had the same issue, started back swimming a few times a week and getting up early. I like the odd lay in though!

k-man

I was out of work for about 3 months (until about 2 weeks ago), so I can identify with you. I agree with the advice already given: force yourself to keep a routine, allocate several hours to job hunting/CV writing, get out for exercise, and to meet people (don't cut yourself off from social interaction - you will go nuts!)

I definitely agree with doing something positive and productive with your time, especially some training. Think about the future interview situations: if they ask what you did with your time, will you say "Nothing much" or "I did XYZ training courses". Which looks better to an employer?

LegacyUser

Its actually not too bad. I'm unemployed five months this time.

I was unemployed for a similar amount of time in about 2004 at the height of the tiger, and that nearly drove me to a breakdown. But this time round, its not such an isolating experience. Its a waiting game. I still have bad days, almost like a monthly unemplyment cycle (lol) but I'm fit and pursuing hobbies. In another few months things will have picked up and many of us will be working again, I'm sure, and we'll look back andwish we'd done more with the 'between time'. So enjoy sleeping to noon on that 4 euro Aldi wine hangover. We won't always have the privelage ;-)

netwhizkid

I am unemployed currently also but have the luxury of having no real commitments and being financially sound. I would like to be doing stuff but keep myself occupied with my hobbies (most recent being DIY/breaking stuff). I also do some volunteer work and like helping people with my skills that I posess, last year I helped raise over €45k (about €6 or €7k myself) for my local sports despite I not even playing any sports, however it gave me a target to achieve and met some very nice, interesting and (truly nasty) individuals along the way.

It gave me something that kept me going so to speak. I have to doing something but doing something does not always have to be working, being bored stuck at home all day watching Skytv would drive me absolutely bloody demented if that was my life.

I wake up in the morning without a worry and go to bed at night rather excited about what next plan or project I will do. I am planning on going RTW for a month before heading down under next year.

I actually consider this period to probably be my most happiest in my life when I compare myself to the way others in the ratrace are hard done by themselves working in miserable jobs with no real happiness while getting raped for tax. Also it is now acceptable to be on the dole and unemployed as alot of people are in the same boat, for as long as it lasts

maybeso

I think the beginning is the hardest part. Going from being very busy to having nothing to do. Once you get used to the idea I think you automatically start looking or other things to do that you may not have considered doing before. I went back studyng and started charity work. The study kept my mind challenged and the charity work has opened up many new doors for me. I have also gone from being a bit of a couch potato to competing in lots of new sports which makes me feel great.

Stay positive. Set yourself goals. Once you are keeping busy you will continue to feel good about yourself. There are plenty people out there who need your help and you don't need any specific skills to do so. I hate being on the dole but I view it as payment for my charity work and that justifies being on it in my mind

gimme5minutes

I'm posting with almost 2 bottle of wine in me....i'm on hte scratch..for god sake it's no the end of the world, this is ireland we're living in. the dole here is at least 3 times what it is in the rest of oth e world...spend it wisely and you can have at least one or two good sessions a week. ok, if you have kids you have a problem, but for single guys with no responsibilitys 200 quid a week is more than enough, its great!!! no complaints here!1

Spencer87

getonyourboots wrote: »

Its not the end if the world, look at all the things you can do with your free time.
More time to go out and party, no more worrying about going to work with a hangover. Work on your golf handicap. Why not spend some time traveling and take a few holidays, this week New York next week Rio.
And If you really need cheering up, why not treat yourself to a snazzy new motor.

Post of the year

Spencer87

gimme5minutes wrote: »

I'm posting with almost 2 bottle of wine in me....i'm on hte scratch..for god sake it's no the end of the world, this is ireland we're living in. the dole here is at least 3 times what it is in the rest of oth e world...spend it wisely and you can have at least one or two good sessions a week. ok, if you have kids you have a problem, but for single guys with no responsibilitys 200 quid a week is more than enough, its great!!! no complaints here!1

Actually no this one is better, i am not on the dole but if was i would seriously love to be hanging out with you drinking tins in the park

castle

Same here on the dole,
last time was 2001 after 10 years of working,I took 2 months off and relaxed as I knew I could get a job if I wanted at the time,how things have changed this time is so different really scarey stuff,
But this time it is all walks of life who find themselves on the dole except the public sector.
I will sign on next week and have listened to people who don't get up until after 12 so not to make the day to long,sounds really depressing .
I have children and wife works (Public Sector) so hopefully I won't have time to feel sorry for myself.
I have set a few goal's for myself ,1. is to lose that 10 Kilo's, 2. to learn to play the guitar a little.3.but not least to find a new job but this I feel will be the most differcult.
Even though I have a good CV in my field I am realistic that finding a job that I want will be hard,finding any job for that matter.
I don't want to surf the net for porn in between looking for a job at 11 am in the morning,
as for daytime TV if I switch on Dr Phil then this will be addmitting that I am depressed and this is my biggest challenge that I face,so this is goal Number 4 not to get depressed
So if no Dr Phil then things are going ok.
I will think positive and believe that this recession is already half over,like the half full glass saying

LegacyUser

1. Further education

2. Voluntary work

3. Set time aside each week to look for work

4. make a Plan

mood

getonyourboots wrote: »

Its not the end if the world, look at all the things you can do with your free time.
More time to go out and party, no more worrying about going to work with a hangover. Work on your golf handicap. Why not spend some time traveling and take a few holidays, this week New York next week Rio.
And If you really need cheering up, why not treat yourself to a snazzy new motor.

Dole = no money = no holidays etc

Silverfish

Spencer87, please read the PI charter before posting, and take note of moderator warnings in threads.

LegacyUser

I thought it was horrible at the start and was fairly depressed at the thought of a day stretching out with no set plan of what to do, but I'm getting into a routine after a few months of it. Again, dont stay in bed all day or watch TV. Try www.fas.ie for online courses that you can do.

mood

Have have been unemployed a few months. Have been finding it very difficult to motivate me self to learn new software etc. However, the last few day have really got me down. After reading this thread I've decided to try to stick to a timetable so I don't feel like me life is wasting away. For example:

10am - 1pm search for and apply for jobs.

2pm - 5pm learn new software.

5pm - 6pm exercise.

7pm - 8pm search for and apply for jobs again.

I'll have to alter this but hopefully this will keep me sane. I can't believe how down I got over the weekend!

LegacyUser

mood wrote: »

I'll have to alter this but hopefully this will keep me sane. I can't believe how down I got over the weekend!

Yeah its an up and down thing for me as well. I'm fine for a few weeks and then start to feel really trapped. The worst part is not being able to plan anything. Before this I'd been looking forward to buying a house and learning to drive. Now I feel like my life is completely on hold. If I knew I'd be back on track in two months or even ten months I'd be fine but my sector has been decimated and ... yes I know... I can get educated again... but I'm already very educated. Boo hoo. Yes, I know, this is only a mood, it will pass... :-(

mood

I couldn't face going back to college either. I would leave the country if I thought I could get work else where but it's global!