Unemployed too long

mega man

Hi all,

I have been on the doel a long time now and there is absolutley no structure to my everyday life. I drink when i want, sleep in when i want and travel around when i want but i've come to the stage where i feel i am going mad because i am missing out on a social life, its pretty much non existant. I feel I'm loosing my mind. Does anyone else feel the same?

LegacyUser

OH YEAH

I'm going on six months and this is going beyond a joke.

I go through phases where I'm ok and then it starts to feel awful. Its like your life is at a complete stand still. Try keeping busy, get into fitness, instead of drinking. If you can't afford a gym, running is free.

I keep telling myself that it can't last forever. Am also seriously considering moving abroad, even just for a few months, maybe it could lead to new things, or if it doesn't work out things may improve here while I'm away.

But remember its impossible for most of us to stay unemployed. What worries me is that the sector I was in was destroyed. I may never get back where I was (early mid career/great salary) because if I was a recovering employer in my sector I'd hire younger and much cheaper people.

lolli

Its a tough time for a lot of people at the moment. The best thing you can do now is try to re-skill yourself. Take up a college course or do a fas course. Perhaps do a bit of volunteering, it'll get you out of the house as well as looking good on your C.V. Get your C.V out there and keep an eye out for potential jobs.

Join a sports club or something fun that you like to do. Don't let it get you down too much as many people are in the same position.

Best of luck.

Splendour

mega man wrote: »

Hi all,

I have been on the doel a long time now and there is absolutley no structure to my everyday life. I drink when i want, sleep in when i want and travel around when i want but i've come to the stage where i feel i am going mad because i am missing out on a social life, its pretty much non existant. I feel I'm loosing my mind. Does anyone else feel the same?

Get involved in some voluntary work. This will give you structure and it will also look good on your C.V. Employers I'm sure will take note of the fact that you really want to work even though you are technically unemployed.

BusterHighman

Actually there are so many people in your position OP that they have started organizing productive groups just to keep themselves busy(the runs in Phoenix park are but one example). The consequence of this is not only a social and fitness related distraction but also what has to be one of the most approachable ways to network. I haven't looked into this too much but I'd advise you to google related classes(such as http://www.ucd.ie/news/2009/07JUL09/270709_unemployed.html) and activities.

It is of course hard to keep focussed when there is little structure to your day but I say take advantage of this by designing your week around activities you enjoy and thus have more chance of adhering to. Take up sports in your local park (a lot of local sports leagues are in pre season training if I'm not mistaken) or get involved in areas of volunteering that interest you which you would not only enjoy but would look great on your CV. Theres also the likes of the Johns ambulance or the Garda reserve to consider. Or go explore the world, hitch hiking and couch surfing all the way if necessary.

In essence OP a lot of people are in your position and feeling the exact same way you are. Take advantage of the situation you are in as opposed to allowing each day pass pointlessly by. Make the most of it as you'll regret it when its gone.

lin lin

mega man wrote: »

Hi all,

I have been on the doel a long time now and there is absolutley no structure to my everyday life. I drink when i want, sleep in when i want and travel around when i want but i've come to the stage where i feel i am going mad because i am missing out on a social life, its pretty much non existant. I feel I'm loosing my mind. Does anyone else feel the same?

if you're just feeling bored doing nothing etc i think the advice in the above posts is great, volunteering, fitness etc,
or you have been under the mental stress of unemployment for a long time and actually feel that you're "losing your mind" ie anxious/ depressed?

LegacyUser

I'm in the same boat. Applying for everything going but still no job. It's getting really difficult. No money means no social life and it's hard to fill the day as most hobbies cost money.