A long-timer commenter, Onegirl, asked some insightful questions on my previous post. I imagine other readers might have similar questions, so I wanted to offer my thoughts on the subject.
It seems that all of your posts lately have been talking about spending money or remaining on a budget. Are you sad you don’t have a job? Are you trying to remain positive for your readers? I’m sure some days you are feeling bad or sad, but I’m not really getting that vibe. Do you not want to share that with us? Just curious. How is your freedom fund coming along? Is unemployment enough to keep you happy for now? Are your parents helping you especially since you just moved into the cool new place?
Everyone deals with not having a job differently. Here’s how I chose to respond to my situation: I gave myself 3 days of “free-for-all”: sleep in until noon, mope around if I wish, watch TV online, eat whatever I want. Then, the free-for-all is over. I’m not going to feel so bad or anxious that I impede myself from the next goal, the next opportunity.
Financially, I am not worried about the next 9 months (I sincerely hope my job search doesn’t extend that long – I’m working on a few opportunities that I hope will bear fruit before then. One involves living overseas). Unemployment benefits cover all of my day-to-day expenses, and I have cash savings that will go quite a ways, especially if I move back home. My parents treat me to dim sum more often, but other than that they don’t give me any money (although knowing that I have their support is invaluable).
I said before that the uncertainty is unnerving, but the possibilities are exciting. I stand by that. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to be rah-rah earning no income is great - I want to be progressing in my career and making money. But here’s where having a Freedom Fund is so wonderful – it allows me the opportunity to conduct my job search aggressively, not desperately (I don’t write about interviews because they fall into the no-blog-about-work policy). If I need to travel to hold informational or formal interviews, I can afford the gas or the plane ticket. If I want to take advantage of my free time by taking classes that will be personally and professionally enriching, I can do so. It gives me peace of mind.
So, do I feel bad or sad sometimes? Yes, I have my moments. But they are just that - moments. They don’t overwhelm me nor stop me from doing what I need to do. Do I want a job? Of course. Am I enjoying the chance to do things that I haven’t had time to do before (travel, dance lessons, etc.)? Well… yes. Does having a Freedom Fund, being young, and having the emotional support of my parents make me feel eager and ready to embrace what might come tomorrow? Heck yes. 
I’m determined to take advantage of this time the best I can so that when I look back on it, I can say, wow, I really did something cool, and not, wow, I had all that time and did nothing.
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Ok, this post made the hairs stand up on my arms with excitement / pride. We are bombarded with advice to have “emergency funds.” It’s excellent advice. But your moving, transparent, and honest depiction (both on your wonderful blog & on Twitter) of what it’s like to be in an unexpected period of career transition & to put that “Freedom Fund” (such a better term) to use should serve as an inspiration to every reader to build theirs up T-O-D-A-Y. You are a role model in so many ways… keep writing, doing tango, and know we’re all rooting for you!
I enjoyed unemployment, though at the time my living expenses were lower and unemployment paid for most of them. Now I’d be freaking out in a week! My first stint of unemployment I never even looked for a job, one found me after about 2 months. The 2nd time I had a new job lined up, it just didn’t start for a few months. I enjoyed the time off knowing I’d never get that type of vacation again until I retired. I used it to read, exercise and do all of the things I never had time for with a daily job. Lots of luck with whatever may come, hopefully this is merely a transition to new and exciting opportunities.
First of all, I love the new masthead. Reminds me of a warm, comfortable night in my room…except maybe my books and shoes would be sprawled all over the floor.
Secondly, I’m really happy that you’re staying positive during such a time and hope that your radiance encourages others in similar situations to have the same mentality. It is easy to become depressed, or have week long free-for-all, but you sound like you have a great head on your shoulders. Good luck with your job search!
Wow, I guess I haven’t been over here in a while or I haven’t been paying much attention because I didn’t even know you lost your job.
Best wishes on the job search. And thanks for staying so positive and contuing to blog throughout this ordeal. Makes perfect sense that a pf blogger would have enough money saved for the unexpected.
Bravo. This is an excellent post. I only wish my significant other had had the same responsible, driven approach when he went through a similar experience.
Love this! And the new header — very much representative of (what I think of) you!
Maybe I’m paranoid, but I sense a bit of schadenfreude in the email you received. While we’d all be happy to support you if you were struggling with negative emotions, I’m much happier to see your great attitude and a sensible perspective on temporary unemployment and future opportunities!
Hear, hear! Well said.
I don’t particularly think it’s schadenfreude. I think if I were to lose my job the psychological impact would take a lot longer than three days to bounce back from, but maybe that’s because I don’t have such a solid financial net to keep me from relying on Govt./parental aid. Everyone’s situation is different.
Hope your opportunities bear fruit!
SP-The definition of schedenfreude is ‘satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else’s misfortune.’ I am appalled that you would think that. I was asking how she was coping because she hadn’t said much about it. Those that have been reading know that she has a Freedom Fund, but sometimes, when you save that much money, you don’t want to spend it. [/rant]
Being unemployed is a terrible thing. I’ve been there before, and I felt EXACTLY the same way Wellheeled does. Why? Because I was prepared. I saved my money, used unemployment to balance out my wants and needs and had a successful 3 month hiatus from working. I traveled, and did tons of fun things that I couldn’t do beforehand because work got in the way. For those that have never experienced it, it’s nice to see a positive side to unemployment. It’s not always doom and gloom unless you’re ill prepared. I know former coworkers that got laid off recently, and they are crying themselves to sleep every night because the bills are coming in, and they can’t afford the lifestyle they were living when employed. There is no harm in asking how someone’s doing/feeling. I wondered if Wellheeled really was feeling positive or just pretending online to be positive. I am very proud of you, and glad that you’re keeping it together even though this is a tough time. You know what you need to do and you’re doing it. Good on ya, babe. (sorry for the book!)
Everyone – thank you so much for your words of encouragement! I’m doing quite well. I think the important thing for me is to stay intellectually engaged (language classes, tons of reading) and physically active (Argentine tango), and maintaining contact with friends and family. And I won’t lie, the chance to travel and do all the things I haven’t had time to do before is nice indeed.
Sorry onegirl, I don’t know you and I sincerely apologize for misjudging your comment so completely!!
It’s ok. Misinterpretation happens all the time on the internet. It keeps things exciting, perhaps. hee hee. Have a great weekend!