Surviving the Holidays When You’re Between Jobs

The holiday season is upon us and for many, it’s the busiest time of year. Unfortunately, you might be struggling to focus on enjoying the holidays if you’re out of work. Whether you’re in the process of transitioning to a new career or you lost your job unexpectedly, it can be challenging to handle the holiday season and all of the traditions that come with it when you’re in between jobs. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to make the holidays easier for you. Everyone deserves to enjoy the holiday season.

Rethink gift-giving

Gift-giving seems like an important part of the holiday season but buying presents for your loved ones adds up. If you want to show your friends and family how much you appreciate them, but don’t want to blow your budget on shopping, get creative. Homemade gifts, sentimental cards and quality time all demonstrate to your loved ones just how much you care about them, and those things won’t cost you a fortune.

Give back

Nothing gets people in the holiday spirit quite like giving back. Being in between jobs gives you more free time to spend volunteering in support of the organizations and causes that you love. There are many great opportunities for volunteering during the holiday season. From toy drives to tree plantings, you can find activities to fill your free time when you’re out of work over the holidays. Bonus? You’ll still be developing job skills. Employers love seeing volunteers on your resume.

Shift your mindset

Being out of work is stressful, but it’s important to stay as positive as possible. Giving in to the negativity will make it difficult for you to enjoy the holiday season with your loved ones. It can even prevent you from getting the motivation you need to find a new source of employment. Think about all of the things that you have to be thankful for, like friends and family. Don’t be too hard on yourself about the things you wish would change. Focusing on the positive can make it easier for you to address areas in your life that you want to improve, like your career.

Take care of yourself

Self-care is vital whether you’re working a full-time job, or you are out of work. Take time to care for yourself by eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, spending quality time with people you love and relaxing with your favorite hobby. When you’re out of work, you have the opportunity to get into a more productive routine and begin making time for the things you want to do, like reading, practicing an instrument or working on a hobby.

The holidays can provoke anxiety for anyone, especially if you have the added stress of being unemployed. Keep your mind focused on the things you’re thankful for and take advantage of the time you have to volunteer, care for yourself and spend quality time with the people in your life.

While you’re enjoying the holidays, Award Staffing is hard at work helping you find your future. Explore our job opportunities today to find your future in the Twin Cities.