For many workers, our career is an extension of ourselves. We are often defined by what we do. The work becomes our identity, whether or not we like the job. This is not the best way to determine self-identify, but society likes to label people. Slowly, over time, you can find yourself wearing your job title and assuming that as your personal identity as well. Now when the job or career comes to an abrupt halt, the question we ask ourselves is: who am I now? There you are…lost your job, lost your identity and perhaps struggle, not to lose yourself.
The stigma of unemployment usually conjures up negative vibes. When someone was fired for misconduct, we might think, that was deserved. We hope a lesson was learned. When someone is downsized due to a merger, there is often a feeling of resentment about the buyout, but an eventual sense of acceptance and moving on occurs. When someone has a job eliminated due to the recession, there is a sense of irrationality and the old question surfaces, why me? We want a specific reason, we want logic, and we want details. Trouble is, there probably isn’t one good reason, just many complex bits and pieces that caused your position to be eliminated.
The downside of joblessness this year is the waiting, wondering and worrying. To counteract the negativity of unemployment, arm yourself with 5 P’s:
Get out and about to avoid isolation. With 10 percent of the nation unemployed, you’re bound to run into someone who understands.