Unemployment is sometimes looked down upon as a bad thing. It can be an incredibly stressful time for some people because, at the end of the day, we all need to pay our bills and buy food to survive. For others, it can be a time for amazing self growth.
Switching up your mindset around unemployment can be a really important part of gaining insight into self growth at a time in your life that could be deemed as really negative. Instead, you can use this time in a super positive way!
I think most of us have had to survive periods of unemployment in our lives. I certainly have. While I was unemployed, around 7 years ago now, I started my blog. Which, over time, has become my full-time job. Had I not had that period of unemployment, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today!
While you’re not actively working, you have a ton of time on your hands. It might be tempting to spend that time watching Netflix or sleeping in late (and PSA, those two things are ABSOLUTELY okay to do every now and again!), but it also gives you the perfect opportunity to work on your self growth.
So amongst the job searching (which, let’s be honest, you’re going to need a break from at some point because it can get very tedious and exhausting), here are some things you can do to boost your self growth and personal development while you’re waiting to land that job!
Learn a New Hobby
Although this might be quite an obvious one, it really is the best time to learn a hobby.
When you’re unemployed, if you don’t have any particularly prominent hobbies, you can certainly find your days all merging into one. And that’s never a good thing. That lack of direction can sometimes lead to feeling low and lethargic with not much desire to do anything at all. In extreme cases, it can lead to mental health issues.
So now is a great time to start a new hobby. And hobbies can be an amazing route into the personal development world as you’re developing your knowledge and skills in a new and exciting way!
As it was with my case, you never know where this new hobby might lead you down the line if it’s something that you end up loving. Some things you could consider are:
- Starting a blog
- Learning a new language
- Learning a new skill (painting, drawing, music, etc.)
Figure Out Your True Core Values
Figuring out my core values in 2020 was something that did incredible things for my life and personal development. By understanding what truly matters in your life, this can have positive implications on everything from where you put your energy, the kind of people you associate with, and the kind of job you have.
Figure out your core values is an amazing part of personal development. And it can also help you with discovering which kind of job will be best for you! If you discover that one of your core values is compassion, you might then realize that a career in nursing or care would be something that would suit you.
Consider Self Growth Books or Podcasts
Self growth doesn’t have to be done alone – despite the phrase! So if you’re really digging deep, this may be a good time to invest in some self-help, self-growth, and personal development books. You don’t even have to buy them – just head to your local library and pick them up for free.
Podcasts are also an amazing resource for personal development, with a ton of leaders in the personal development world sharing their advice and knowledge for free on podcasts. Perhaps listen to one whilst you go for a walk or when you’re in the bath.
Learning about self growth and personal development doesn’t have to cost anything. Books from the library and podcasts from Spotify are both completely free – which is ideal for a time when you’re unemployed.
Enroll in Courses That Will Add to Your CV
This point will kill two birds with one stone because not only will enrolling in courses (and completing them, of course!) help you expand your knowledge and skills, but it’s also an excellent thing to put on your CV to help you land a job quicker!
Coursera is a great website where you can do a ton of FREE courses on anything from psychology, health care, philosophy and humanities, science and engineering, and more! I’ve done a few Coursera courses in the past, and they’re absolutely fantastic.
They’re so interesting and easy to navigate. Each course has its own start date and setup; for example, some courses might have end-of-module exams such as multiple-choice quizzes. But I’d highly recommend checking out the website for all their free courses, which are perfect for adding to your CV!
Adding together learning a new hobby, starting a new course, and reading self growth books, you’ll be keeping yourself pretty busy whilst you wait for that job!
Of course, you shouldn’t neglect actually looking for a job by using these things as excuses, but instead use these ideas and resources as a positive way to manage your time and grow as a person whilst you wait for that new job that’s just around the corner!
Jenny in Neverland
Jenny is the owner of Jenny in Neverland where she posts about wellness, self care, and personal growth. She's been blogging for 8+ years and is passionate about helping others find balance, connect with themselves and put their self care first.