Unemployed for the first time
Hi everyone,
So I recently left my job of two years due to issues with a manager in the workplace. Their contract ended up being renewed for another two years and their toxic behaviour escalated as a result and I made the decision to leave for my mental health.
This, however, means that I am now unemployed. I've managed to get some work picking up shifts in a local cafe but this is very unstable. I live out of home with my partner and I'm lucky to have some savings and someone who can help support me while I find work. But I am still extremely stressed about being unemployed, and my anxiety has gotten pretty bad as a result.
I was just wondering if anyone has any tips to help manage my stress (and keep my hopes up) while I find work?
Comments
Hi @delevs 
I hope you're going well, that sounds like you've been having a really hard time but I think it was smart of you to prioritize your mental wellbeing instead of staying for more years of potential workplace abuse and toxicity. It can be difficult to find a job because covid has been tough on business, but around this time of the year I know that a lot of retail stores are hiring Christmas casuals, however, I'm not sure if that window of opportunity has already passed.
To help manage stress, I found that journaling can be helpful, particularly just writing/typing how you have been feeling and getting all that stress out and onto words. I know it's not for everyone though. You can also listen to audiobooks and music, or get try to get into meditation? All these options can be done with your phone as well as with youtube so there's no extra spending.
Hey @delevs, sorry to hear about the environment that you were in at work. It sounds like it was a really awful environment and you made a good decision based on your needs by leaving there.
It sounds like things are stressful for you now and I hope the stress doesn't last for long. I am sorry to hear that you have been feeling stressed about looking for a new job. Job hunting is never a fun activity unfortunately😅! In regards to some activities that you can do to help manage stress, I would recommend taking some time to engage in some self-care activities or even trying some new ones out 😀. Here is a link to another thread where other users discuss the various ways that they practice self-care. You might find that it gives you some good ideas on how you can practice self-care and help manage your feelings of stress. Hope that helps!
