The last time I was unemployed was a stretch between college and grad school, some 10 years ago. I was also dealing with health problems and a surgery that took 6 months to schedule, making it hard to do anything but thumbtwiddle. In addition to feeling icky physically, I was feeling icky emotionally. Not a pleasant time.
I'm trying to have a different attitude this time, but it's still a struggle on some levels to enjoy the down time.
On the plus side, I get to plan meals and cook and venture into new recipe territory (thanks, Adriana). I get to organize my stuff in a new, large space. I get to add to or make over the landscaping. I have time to read, watch movies, blog, read friends' blogs, sleep in, and watch HGTV for ideas.
OTOH, that damn ingrained WASP work ethic leaves me feeling like a sloth for not having a tangible work product at the end of the day--a cleaner house, more unpacking done, etc. Do other housewives or househusbands feel like this, or is it just me?
I know the only pressure being applied is from the weight of my own expectations. Maybe I can table them until after I get back from California at the end of October--and in the meantime try to enjoy what may be one of the few less-encumbered periods in my life.
I'm sure once I am working again, I'll kick myself for not taking full advantage of my current life of leisure. I can always be more systematic about job hunting later on.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Yeah, I know what you're talking about. Jasper wears me out most days and all I have to show for it is a meal at the end of the day. Toys and laundry strewn all over the apartment and I say "but I cleaned up about five times today!" At least I can say Jasper is my job.
It's great that you get this time to unwind from your last job and settle into your new place. But joblessness is sort of a weird, existentialist existence!
Post a Comment