Topic: unemployment

Planet Earth as Therapy: Even Unemployment Is Better Than Being Attacked By a Walrus

Planet Earth as Therapy: Even Unemployment Is Better Than Being Attacked By a Walrus

Some keep the Sabbath going to Church,
I keep it staying at Home –
With a bobolink for a Chorister,
And an Orchard, for a Dome.
-Emily Dickinson

When I got laid off last year, I picked up some new habits and hobbies. Some (crosswords, cooking, community service) were welcome additions—they were a long time coming, really—and things I’ll continue to pursue at some level of involvement even after I find a new job. Other, less salubrious ones (online poker, online dating, online… nevermind)—not so much. Still others (Tuesday night bar trivia, Wednesday night dates, every-night Jeopardy!) just seem decadent for a gainfully-employable 32-year-old.

Yet none of the above activities would surprise the people who know me well. The anomaly was something I did alone late at night, naked in bed with just my laptop as company. That’s right—I started watching nature documentaries. More »

Sick, Broke, and Unemployed: We Talk to Made For You And Me Author Caitlin Shetterly

Sick, Broke, and Unemployed: We Talk to Made For You And Me Author Caitlin Shetterly

Young, married, and searching for intangibles like success and contentment, Caitlin Shetterly and Dan Davis left their home in Maine in 2008 for sunnier prospects in Los Angeles, and endured a cross-country road trip with their beloved dog and cat in tow. Unfortunately, what awaited them in Tinseltown was all too real — an economy deep in recession, an unplanned pregnancy; Caitlin’s debilitating illness during the early months of that pregnancy (Hyperemesis gravidarum, persistent and extreme nausea and vomiting that can lead to dehydration); potentially dangerous rental apartments that required moving expenses they couldn’t afford; unexpected, terrifying, and lasting unemployment for both of them; the challenges of having a new baby in a small living space; not enough money to pay medical insurance premiums or hospital bills that weren’t covered under them; and, finally, the death of their feline family member, Ellison. At this point, Caitlin and Dan were totally broke and completely broken. So, a year after their arrival in Los Angeles, with their young son and dog, Hopper, they packed up their entire lives yet again and drove the reverse route back to Maine to rest, recharge, and re-group at Caitlin’s mother’s home in Maine. Caitlin created an ongoing radio diary of this return trip for NPR’s Weekend Edition, which resulted in her memoir Made for You and Me: Going West, Going Broke, Finding Home that was just published this month. I talked to Caitlin about how she dealt with living through a set of traumatic emotional and physical circumstances that most people hope they’ll never have to confront in a lifetime, much less in one year. More »

Jobless Rates Are Rising, But Are Women Coming Out Ahead?

Jobless Rates Are Rising, But Are Women Coming Out Ahead?

The U.S. unemployment rate rose to 9.8% in November and fewer jobs were added than predicted, according to a grim report released by the U.S. Department of Labor this morning. But alongside continually disheartening news about our economy are articles that trumpet women’s growing economic power, like The Rise of the Sheconomy, published in TIME last month. The gist of that article, and many others like it, is that women hold the reins to our economy through their overwhelming consumer power. Even in categories that are normally considered male territory, like tech gadgets and cars, female shoppers hold overwhelming influence over how to spend. And now, they’re also the primary earners.

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Supportive Relationships: 6 Ways to Cheer on an Unemployed Partner

Supportive Relationships: 6 Ways to Cheer on an Unemployed Partner

Relationships are difficult without the added worry of unemployment. Christina Macres of YourTango shares some ways that we can show our support.

Today’s job market has many couples well aware of the strain unemployment can put on a relationship. Constant stress can cause fights, break up an otherwise healthy relationship, and really put “for better or worse” to the test. Often, coping with this anxiety and pressure can be just as taxing for the employed spouse as it is for the one who is out of work. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Instead of letting unemployment destroy your relationship, allow it to strengthen your bond as a couple. We show you how to cope:

Dealing with Emotions
It’s not unusual for your unemployed spouse to feel a range of emotions from lack of confidence to identity loss to of financial worry. As the employed half of the relationship, you must remain understanding and compassionate. Joblessness can create a sense of hopelessness, feelings of displacement, and depression due to days and months of continued rejection. More »

Need a Job? Become an Optimist

Need a Job? Become an Optimist

Cheer up: A new study shows that optimistic MBA students experience significantly better outcomes in the job search world. These glass-half-full types expended less effort looking for jobs, and were offered jobs more quickly than pessimists. Upbeat candidates are also more likely to get a promotion.

So if you’re out of work, you’d better start looking on the bright side – and fast. Any tips from optimists to help pessimists change their attitude and score a job? Or perhaps you pessimists would just like a place to rant about your misfortune. Please do. More »

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