Nobody Talks About How Lonely Unemployment Can Get

Losing your job and source of income sucks. We’ve heard so much about how it affects you financially but what about how it affects you socially?

In this country, there are high unemployment levels related to high population growth, low economic growth and an increase in technology. This has led to fewer production processes requiring labour.

I did economics as a subject in case you’re wondering why I’m talking like this. Even with all that, I never thought I’d find myself in this position at this stage (or any stage in my life actually) but here I am.

I’m just as vulnerable as many other people.

Honestly, sometimes I get so lonely. 9 to 5 everyone else is at work, socializing with colleagues and I am at home job hunting on my laptop alone, all day, almost every day. My social interaction is so limited.

I don’t have money to go out for obvious reasons and I occasionally take a walk to buy whatever from the shop but even then I don’t really talk to anyone because I don’t bump into people I know at that time because they are all at work. I also try not to go to the shops unless I have to in order to avoid spending the little money I have.

Sometimes I even run out of data and when the wi-fi wasn’t working I was truly at my loneliest during this time. I couldn’t communicate with anyone. I had to wait for people to call me and even if they texted, I couldn’t text back…

Other times my friends invite me out to events that cost money and I find myself getting annoyed and snappy because in my head I’m thinking,” You know I don’t have a job, how tf do you expect me to be able to afford that?”

When my friends have free time, I’m a bit sceptical to let them come over. It’ll seem like I have visitors all the time while everyone else is out at work. It’s just not a good look, so I only have people over every so often.

It’s actually even sadder to see just how many of us in my friend group are struggling or have struggled with unemployment. Imagine, I’m sitting at home facing 30 and I can’t even afford a cake for myself.

I’m even considering relocating to see if my lack may change because honestly, I’ve tried.

I have given my CV to countless friends and family, even people who come to do odd jobs around the house and still nothing yet. I got interviewed for a job I applied for in another city but I don’t know anyone there and the salary they are offering won’t be enough to cover my relocation costs or the cost of living.

Truly frustrating!

I’ve asked people I know if they can hook me up with a job. No one knows anyone that’s hiring.

I’ve developed a daily routine to keep myself sane. I aim to use my time effectively by doing schoolwork and assignments during the hours I would’ve been at work. Although I’m unemployed, I try to treat myself as if I am by waking up early. I try to spend the hours of 9 to 5 being productive by job hunting, working on my blog, reading, etc.

Unemployment impacts people psychologically too.

According to various textbooks and articles I’ve read (can’t recall titles), these are some of the psychological effects of unemployment:

• Depression
• Decreased self-esteem
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Increased hostility
• social isolation
• decreased life satisfaction

I’ve personally experienced some of these; especially the decreased life satisfaction.

I often find myself feeling angry with myself and my situation. Sometimes wishing I had done things differently or made better decisions to prevent myself from being in this situation. But it is what it is, I guess…

Been unemployed for over a year straight now. It takes a lot of mental strength not to throw in the towel and bury my head in the sand. I have days when I feel this way but I tell myself I have to stay positive, this situation is temporary.

I miss those morning conversations with the boss and colleagues and office banter but hey… it is what it is…

It’s tough losing a job because finding a new one can take way longer than we’d like. But you have to find a way to stay positive and keep your head up!

There are a few things I’m trying to earn an income (monetizing this blog being one of them) but it’s not that easy and will take some time. I just gotta be a little more patient…

I try to keep busy by working on my blog, reading and getting out when I can.

Strive not to let your situation get the better of you. Your next income opportunity could be closer than you think!