How to Overcome the Depression of Being Laid-Off from Your Job

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A positive attitude
Creativity

Step 1

I start many life processes this way: Take a deep breath. Remind yourself that what's done is done. You can't change the past, you can only own your future. Take a look in the mirror each morning and smile from your heart. Realize that you have the opportunity to reinvent yourself RIGHT NOW, so hang on tight and enjoy the ride!
Step 2

Now that you have time in your day, begin reading online resources for careers, job hunting, career makeovers, and everything you can get your hands on. Use a multiple tabs in your browser to open articles that are linked to other articles so that you can read them all. There are literally HUNDREDS of resources out there. The Twitter community has been especially helpful, as well as a litany of other blogs, sites, search engines, articles, RRS feeds, etc. Since I don't want to advertise or single out any particular site or resource (I *had* to list the Twitter community, sorry for the shameless plug), just do a search in your favorite search engine for keywords related to looking for a job. You will find a wealth of information, I promise!
Step 3

Take the time to take it all in; not only coming to terms with the fact that you're not getting up in the morning to go to work, but also the plethora of information you will find on the internet aimed at people in your same predicament. Bookmark URLs you know will be useful to you in your hunt, and check back often for new information that the gurus of the job world out there will be posting.
Step 4

Be open to new ideas and opportunities. Remember that this is a chance to reinvent your employment life, so why not look for employment that interests you and which you would enjoy getting up in the morning for?
Step 5

Most importantly, take control of your own body. Been putting off exercising because you were working too much? Been hitting the french fries and doughnuts instead of the elliptical? You cannot control the fact that you were laid off, but you CAN control your own body and what you do with it. Take a yoga class for relaxation and meditation. Join an inexpensive gym and do the elliptical for 30 minutes a day. Prepare healthy meals for yourself now that you have time to cook. Take care of your skin. Meditate more, worry less. If your body is stressed because you're not taking care of yourself, it is literally written all over your face when you show up for an interview. The best way to be calm, cool, collected and personable is to really feel that way on the inside!
Step 6

Get your life organized. Go through that pile of mail that's been waiting for a month and devise a way to keep it from piling up again. Go through your stored paperwork and other stuff and do a spring cleaning of your filing cabinets. Clean house top to bottom. Go through your closet and take what you don't wear or need to consignment (to make some $$) or donate to a charity (for a tax writeoff). The bottom line of this step is that when you are in control of your home environment, you can have the living space needed to aspire to greater things.
Step 7

Make sure your trusty interview suit fits properly and is not garishly out of style. Contemporary, conservative, and well-fitted are the keys to a clean-cut and professional look that will help you fare well for upcoming interviews. When you know you are ready for an interview when one is made available to you, you will feel less apprehensive and will be able to project confidence in yourself and your abilities - something which HR people look for!
Step 8

Don't be too proud to take help when it's offered. Take that unemployment check. Sign up for the food stamp program. Take the classes offered by your state's unemployment department. You pay taxes for these programs, so you might as well reap what you've been forced to sow. It will help you stay on your feet in your time of need. Also, don't be ashamed to ask friends, former coworkers, parental figures, etc., to keep an ear out for things they think you might be interested in. You may not find what you are looking for, but it's one more resource for you, and it's free!
Step 9

Finally, keep a positive attitude. Even if you can't find your dream job, you're playing the field professionally, thinking about and planning your future, and taking care of the present and yourself as best you can. Life will always throw you a curve ball when you least expect it. Surprise yourself by hitting it out of the park!!