Unemployment - What Do You Do To Keep Busy Through The Day?

[Can'tdeletemyaccount]

I am currently unemployed, partly due to immigration issues but even if that was all squared away, my mental health difficulties would be keeping me from moving forward in that respect. i also do not have my own transport and am living where there is no bus route. I was wondering what those of you who are unemployed do to keep busy?

 

[Friday]

I'm in a tailspin at present, so right now it's just trying to get some kind of structure going (eating sleeping etc.). It gets bad enough I'll sleep twice in a week for a few hours, and then spend days in bed sleeping 20 hours. I'll be moderately fine for a day or three and start to get a pattern going, then crash & be a mess for weeks... Yeah. Serious roller coaster.

When I'm okay & balanced... Generally I spend at least 4 hours doing something physical (exercise, sport, etc.), about 4 hours doing something interesting (mental work... My stuff is usually either art or education), about 4 hours seriously goofing off, & about 4 hours being social.

Alternatively, while I (almost always) keep the physical aspect, I'll sometimes balance out by days. Meaning today is a snowboard day (physical), tomorrow is a writing & photography day (Art), another day for a gaming marathon, etc.

I usually start alternating by days, instead of maintaining balance within a day when I have Big Things going on that are all day events. Like if I live on the beach or in the mountains? I can surf or snowboard every day and have that just be a few hours of daily balance. But if I'm traveling to go do those things? That eats my whole day. I need a recovery day. So my schedule starts building around going snowboarding 2-3x per week. Big physical day, easy physical day. If I'm working on a project (art, usually)? Same deal. Big mental day? I need to go burn some energy the next day.

Being in a small/confined place (boat, middle of nowhere with no transportation, etc.) almost always means I'm alternating activities on an hourly schedule instead of a daily one. I wake up. I goof off for a little while. Shower. Do something interesting for a little while. Prep for my first big "block" of time. Do that. Take a break. Prep for my next big block of time. Do that. Take a break. Etc.

 

[J_trustno1]

I have been doing the following for the last one year:

1. Gym - cardio, strength and yoga.
2. Swimming
3. Therapy
4. Seeing a psychiatrist
5. Antidepressants and other supplements.
6. Meditating at times
7. Venting here on the forum when really down.
8. Going to the beach to enjoy the scenary.
9. Reading self -help books, other articles online or anything I am interested in learning.
10. Last but not least, I have been applying for over 200 job for over a year without any luck. Still applying with hope of getting somewhere in life.

Hope this helped

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

I echo the above, also have to underline the importance of a good steadfast routine :) If you can, get up in the morning so you get enough light, and catch that light by going outside frequently. Things you can do outside are walking, going to a park, biking, visiting interesting monuments, even geocaching if you're into it, or some sport like jogging.

Reading, playing brain-games (there are a bunch you can get as an app). Writing a diary, constructing things that you like (I build models), but you can also decide to pimp your furniture, tend to something (like a herbs garden or animals). Listening to your favorite music, jotting down any random ideas that you get, yoga, singing or playing a musical instrument if you have one, or learn how to.

Socializing online and in the real world, I don't know if you have any hobbies but clubs that are geared towards a hobby can be fun. Finding like minded people, if it's possible in your area. Going for walks with people. Try to avoid cocooning. Mostly cocooning will "make your bubble smaller" (to use the bubbleizing term) and it can be hard to get out of it.

 

[Catlovers141]

I agree with everything everyone has suggested. I would also emphasize finding some way to find meaning in your life. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, like through community service, family, friends, or a hobby. Some people get this through their jobs and when they are no longer working they don't feel like their lives have a lot of purpose.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Uhm is the Op saying she doesn't want to delete her name with that name change?

 

[joeylittle]

No, @Solara, I suspect the OP would like to delete their account but cannot, and used their name change to announce that.