Since the end of February I have been unemployed. Which is not a long time. But it makes me;

Another statistic for the government to count and log.

I have been made redundant before, and I have spent a week or so without income, but each of those times I have had a little bit of dosh the bank, and quite relaxed as, at the time, the industry was bouyant, and jobs were plentiful. I could pick and choose (within reason) which company I went for an interview with and which one I wanted to work  for. How the times have changed.  A complete contrast in terms of available opportunities, and vacancies for a Senior Estimator! And those that are available are not the same sort of package, possibly 60-70% of what they were 2-3 years ago!!

Now I understand the economic changes and the state of the country, as well as all the other crap that is going on affecting things…but fuck me, the state of things at the moment is very harsh!! Scarily harsh.

I can now see how people are losing their houses, cars, increase in divorces etc. But on the flip side to that, those that have a job are working harder and longer hours to ensure their position with their respective employer! This in turn causes pressures at home too.

I try to be optimistic, and although I currently do not have a pot to piss in, nor do I have two pennies to rub together I remain positive that I shall find employment one way or the other. I shall be shrewd with what I have and tighten the purse strings and Wifey, as scared and concerned as she is, is also proactive to the cause. We should (he says) survive this month, we may not though….but positive attitude and all that!!

BUT, what about those in a different work environments? Or those that are a little older? These people that have been out of work for a while, what hope is there for those? What support is there out there for them? I am sure they are positive in their approach, and are actively seeking employment, but at present it’s bloody grim! Is there support for them? Who is the governing body that is there for those people? Surely not Job Search Plus????

When will this economic down turn truly end? Who knows? Apparently we were climbing out of the recession a month or so ago….and we continue to do so…but I fear it may be a good 12-18 months before are treading water again…a shockingly harsh reality befalls many of us prior to that.

The emotional whack in the face in painful, and life at home is tricky, I feel that I am in the way of daily routines, the boys going to toddler group, swimming lessons, what I give them for breakfast is wrong, how I dress them is wrong….I am just trying to help, to be doing something other than sitting on my arse!! But I am in the way. No two ways about it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s lovely to spend time with the family, but hey, I would rather be working!!

Fortunately I have a good friend who has an office with a spare desk, he is quite local to me, and I go and sit at that desk, and do what-ever I have to do to feel positive and pro-active. Call around, speak to people, use the interweb…I even made coffee for the guys in the office once!! Not often I did that in my working life!! ha ha ha!! This is a great help, and I am very lucky to be able to do this, it is an enormous help. Especially in keeping focused on my goal. My goal of gaining employment again…very soon.

So, if you, like me, are unemployed, you are going nuts at home, feeling as though you are in the way, with the kids around your ankles, I have this to say to you. It won’t be forever. If you cannot obtain work in your industry, then don’t be afraid to ask in pubs, stores etc for a bit of work. Some money is better than none.

Keep your chin up, and your mind focused! It will get better. You will get work again. Think positive. It’s the only way to stay frickin’ sane!!