Unemployed?

The government claims the U.S. unemployment rate is about 10%. Commentators speculate it’s actually higher if we consider 1) the long-term unemployed who have given up on finding a new job, 2) those that had to settle for part-time work, and 3) those who just don’t report. We’re sure you know at least a few friends who got canned in the last year or two, and let’s face it - being unemployed is a big deal for SPW. If you’re a SPW and you are currently unemployed, we sympathize because as a SPW, you have invested a lot into your career. You may have put your love life on hold, moved cities, or blown off time with friends to try and meet work demands. When a SPW gets laid off, it’s like getting dumped by a most beloved boyfriend/lover/husband. We all know the downside of unemployment (goodbye online shopping addiction!), but for you SPW who are dealing with being unemployed, we’ve created a list of 10 positive aspects of being sans job. No more being embarrassed when you have to tell your date you’re currently jobless! Here are 10 reasons why having no job right now is a great thing.

1. You’ll be able to sort out gold diggers.

The days that men thought it was their job to be sole provider for their families are long gone. There are suckers out there that would rather eat your bacon than bring it home. After getting laid off, Ms. J dipped her big toe into the world of eharmony.com and was quickly chased by a rather mediocre specimen of a fella. When they got into open communication, he asked her if she liked her job as a lawyer. As soon as she told him she wasn’t working as a lawyer but was instead an author working on publishing a book, he closed her out! Although Ms. J was pissed that she wasted time on Mr. Mediocrity, she was thankful that Mr. Mediocrity had revealed his true colors – he wasn’t after her - he was after her checking account! That good-for-nothing probably wanted to be her house-husband.

2. You finally have time to date.

Finally! No more excuses. You now have the time to be more deliberate about your dating life. Now that you’ve learned that your loyalties to your job aren’t reciprocated in a down economy, it’s time to start investing in relationships and taking steps to find a relationship that will last a lifetime. Setting up an online profile takes a while so grab a cup of joe and take your time.

3. You have time to reflect on what you really want.

Ms. J had always poured herself into her work and ignored her nonexistent dating life. In fact, Ms. J spent so much time working that she hadn’t even fully deciphered what she was looking for in a man. Well, like any other endeavor in life, you can’t find what you want if you don’t know what you want. Relax on your couch and think about what kind of qualities you’re seeking in a relationship. At least then you’ll be able to recognize a good guy when you see one.

4. Time to make time for yourself – go on that vacation you’ve always wanted to go on!

We know that you said to yourself at some point while being shackled to your desk that you wish you could go on vacation without worrying about the office. Well now’s your chance! Our time at law firms made us painfully aware of the fact that a vacation taken by a professional is usually no vacation. Is snorkeling while wondering how many emails are piling up on the blackberry you left on the boat really that relaxing? Well, with no more job, it’s time to take a real vacation where work is the furthest thing from your mind. You deserve it -- whether it’s a month in Europe (yes, using a little of your savings is okay!) or a week hiking near your hometown (staycations are relaxing, too!).

5. A closed door means an open window – time to reevaluate and re-shape your career.

Your currently employed counterparts are so furiously trying to stay afloat in their jobs that while many may be unsatisfied, they are too caught up in the rat race to figure out how to make a change. Being unemployed gives you the opportunity to look at your career and change course if you’re not doing something you love. Even if you had already found your dream career, you now have the time to set career goals for yourself so you can hit the ground running when you find a new job. A stint on unemployment island gives you the space to re-evaluate.

6. You’ll start to see people for who they are, not what they do.

As point 1 of this blog illustrates, people are damn superficial. And although you might be hesitant to list your profession on your online dating profile, you’ll soon realize that you are more than just your profession, and so are the guys you’ll be meeting on the other end. Careers come and go, but a truly genuine man is a keeper.

7. You can finally pay more attention to the small joys in life.

No joke, Ms. J forgot every friend’s birthday during her two years of law firm life. She also neglected to celebrate Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter, and Halloween. However, after being unemployed, she came to appreciate the fun of Easter egg hunts, made up for forgetting friends’ birthdays, and (cheesy as it may sound), even had time to think about the true meaning of Christmas. Life’s pretty great when you aren’t going 100 miles an hour. There are a lot of small joys in life that we forget when we’re constantly busy. It’s time to remember and enjoy them.

8. Time to reevaluate your relationships.

Once you get laid off, you’ll quickly realize that you have friends who still love your unemployed, broke ass. You will also have friends who suddenly drop off the face of the earth now that you won’t be paying for their lunch or because now you might need advice and maybe even a shoulder to cry on. Friends who bail on you during a difficult period of your life aren’t worth keeping around and friends who stand with you during dark periods of your life are priceless. It isn’t easy to tell the difference between them when things are great. However, when the going gets tough, it’s easy to see who is worth keeping around and who isn’t.

9. Respect the temple.

Being unemployed is a prime time to get in shape. We know it’s hard to get in shape when you’re working long days, but now that you’re not, it’s time to pay attention to your health. You now have time for that physical and pap smear (oh joy!). You were only given one body, so you might as well take care of it (and let's face it, you only have that medical insurance for so long before it's gone!). And being unemployed is stressful, so what better way than to go release some stress at the gym AND get healthy at the same time? You even have time to hit up that farmer’s market and whip up a healthy meal, so toss those take-out menus and put some healthy fuel in the engine.

10. You can put your career into perspective.

Once Ms. J got laid off, she went through all sorts of emotions – rage, hurt, shame, and relief. But there’s nothing like losing your job to make you gain a little perspective. Even though your boss may have demanded you work 12 hour days, making you think that somehow the office couldn’t function with you, guess what? It is functioning without you because they’re still open and thriving and you don’t work there anymore. Ultimately, a job is just a job. Your life, miraculously enough, continues on. The days fly by, you eat one meal at a time, and your friends still want to meet you for drinks. With time, you’ll also realize that there are people who have bigger problems than just getting laid off – folks dealing with cancer, death, or oppression. Suddenly, losing a job while being fortunate enough to be a healthy, educated, successful woman living in America (land of opportunity!) just doesn’t seem worthy of wallowing in self pity over.