Mindset and wellbeing resources for job seekers
1) For when you’re doubting yourself and your capabilities
Take a moment to pause and pay attention to your breathing. After some time, remind yourself of your strengths and capability. You have come so far, and you're still fighting because of your resiliency. Not having a job right now doesn't make you less of a person, although it might feel that way.
2) For when you’re deep in the LinkedIn rabbit hole, seeing other people’s posts of their new roles
You might notice a tinge of jealousy or resentment. This is a perfectly human response for someone in your situation. Now let’s try and see this from a different perspective. If someone else is landing an opportunity, it means that there are opportunities out there, including one that’s meant for you. You might not have come across it yet, or when exactly it will come, but you can trust that what’s meant for you is meant for you. Just as seasons change, circumstances also change - it’s very unlikely that you’ll stay unemployed for the rest of your life. That’s just not how life works.
3) For when you feel stuck in the “job application hamster wheel”, relentlessly applying for anything that comes by
Let me take a guess: it’s probably your anxiety in the driving seat, understandably. However, contrary to what your anxiety thinks you need to do now (apply for that next thing), it's a signal that you need to take a break :) What if you let yourself slow down and ask yourself: “what do I want to do right now?” It might look more like cooking a hearty meal or enjoying a walk in the park. While your anxiety might think that it’s a waste of time, think of it this way: if you do an activity that gets your energy uplifted, you’re going to have more energy for when you do apply for those jobs. And that makes a difference in the application that you put in.
4) And my favourite piece of advice
This time off work can be a space for you to reflect on what it is that you want to do next, because maybe you don’t actually want to keep doing what you were doing. It can be a time to reimagine your career and life, which may look like:
working part time so you can spend more time with your family
taking a short sabbatical to cultivate your own garden
exploring opportunities in adjacent industries
returning to study
starting your own consultancy practice
Take the time to explore the budding interests within yourself, and see where they may take you.
I hope this post expands your perspectives and plants new possibilities within you. If you’d like a supportive presence to walk alongside you in these times of transition, I’d love to help. Feel free to browse this website to learn more about myself and my offerings :)
