2020 is a perplexing time to be unemployed. With the rampant pandemic still upon us, many businesses are not hiring new positions, or are even having to furlough many employees. This can lead to days filled with a schedule of “move from bed to couch,” and “move from couch to bed,” leaving you feeling unsatisfied and quite like a bum. Adding some structure to your days can relieve some of the anxiety and mental smackdown that can come with doing nothing day after day. Keeping a consistent daily routine can help lay the foundations of this structure. Doing the same basic things day-to-day can add a sense of purpose. Keep reading for things to include in your daily schedule.
Whether it’s a simple stretch or hitting the gym, getting your blood flowing is an important factor to each day, especially if you’re spending most of your time sedentary. If you have a dog (or even a cat), take them for a short walk, or even just take one by yourself and take in the fresh air. Do a 10 minute yoga flow! Check out Yoga with Kassandra on YouTube for some easy, beginner videos. The earlier in the day you start moving, the more positive the effect will be on the rest of your day.
Now, I’m not saying that every meal has to be a super healthy homemade meal. But, I am saying that every meal cannot be greasy fast food. You’ll gain unhealthy weight, your skin will break out, and you will just feel gross overall. Eating a (mostly) balanced diet will help your energy, your mood, and your overall health.
Use your free time to exercise your brain a bit. Watch a TedTalk, join a free or inexpensive course through Coursera or Udemy, or work on gaining a resume-boosting certificate (see my list here). You can even read a self-help book, if that’s what you’re into. Just take the time to expand your knowledge pool, and learn something you’ve always wanted to know.
If you know you need or want to do something, make it an appointment. If your friend asks you to come out to breakfast at 9:00 in the morning, but that’s what time you’ve decided you want to work on learning, tell them you have prior obligations. If you are searching for a job, set a time every day that you will search, apply, rearrange your resume, or write cover letters every day to meet the goal of getting a job. Make sure you set aside breaks as well. Personally, Sundays are my “me” day. I focus on self-care, and I avoid searching for jobs or working on assignments-- as long as I already have everything due for that week done. This is the day I also tidy up my room and do my laundry. This helps me reset for the week.
It is so easy to whip out your phone and scroll social media when you are bored. But, if you’re doing work on your laptop, scrolling your phone during your down time, and probably have the TV on in the background, your day is revolving around a screen. Try to set times where you do activities beyond a screen. It could be exercising, journaling, reading, doing puzzles, cooking, cleaning, or napping. Just give your eyes-- and brain-- a break from the screens.
You’ll go stir crazy just sitting in your house all day long. Take a walk! Go to the park! Go have a drink on a bar patio! Do something that will change up your scenery at least twice a week. More, if you live by yourself! Look on MeetUp to see what (pandemically safe) events are happening near you, and join in on something.
Times are crazy, but that doesn’t mean you have to be too. Take care of yourself and put a purpose back into your days.
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