Monday, November 16, 2015

What do I want to do with my life?

I've been unemployed before and it's never fun. This time feels different though, mainly because I was working in a job I was good at, liked well enough, and was making enough money to survive on. I didn't voluntarily leave. This time is different too because being desperately broke isn't as much of a concern since I'm married now, so we have the husband's income, and I'm also able to collect unemployment. We're going to have to cut back on some things, but we're going to get through it.

It's been a month since my last day of work and I'm starting to feel it. The lack of motivation or desire to get off the couch (the 5pm sunsets aren't helping), and just a weird sense of uselessness. I'm looking for jobs but at this point I don't even know what kind of job I want.

What is my purpose? What am I good at? What do I enjoy doing? Where do I see myself in five years? I feel like I don't have answers to any of these questions.

I've worked with kids, adults, and teenagers. I've done office work and teaching work. Mostly in struggling nonprofits. I've been pretty good at every job I've had. I have this ridiculous degree that I've barely used and will be paying for it until I die (those loans aren't going away). What do I do with this?



Friday, November 6, 2015

a poem

Inspired my week three of my unemployment.

Untitled (by Carolanne Mitchell)

I have become one with the couch.
Cushions, stained and worn, bend to my form-
hold me like a child.
Feet recline and I'm lost in the soft blue glow
of the TV.
A lazy cat presses against my side-
Sister.
Netflix: Always there in my time of need.

Outside orange leaves bounce off  blue sky
squirrels scurry in the backyard preparing for the cold
rustling leaves.
Birds sing to remind me, beckoning me.

But the couch grips me tighter,
the cat stretches her paws,
And Netflix asks if I'm still watching.
I am.