I try not to read or watch much about the sky high unemployment rates or the stories of people who have been out of work for months and months…some for even years now. Losing houses, unable to pay their bills, having to eat at shelters – all sad and bleak realities in this economy. It’s just too depressing and makes the pessimistic side of me flare up and launch into a fit of worry that I will never get another job or whatever job I get it will take years and years to get it. Ugh…not a head space I need to be in to be able to put my best and most confident self out there. So I avoid those stories.
Recently, however, I’ve started to view these unemployment stories (and my related situation) in much less fatalistic terms. I’ve started to think about just how lucky I am. In fact I’m so lucky it’s ridiculous. It’s hard to even count the ways that I am lucky.
I am lucky that my grandparents were generous enough to pay for half of college and my parents generous enough to pay for the second half so I got out of school debt free. I’m lucky that I went to a grad school that had great graduate assistantships that got me out of grad school debt free. I’m lucky that I’m a voracious and relentless saver. I’m lucky that I have never been one to “live large”. I’m lucky that both my parents have great pensions and are able to both live comfortably in retirement. I’m lucky that I bought my car when I did so that it has been fully paid off for over three years and it’s still relatively “young” and in great running order (knock wood on that one). I’m lucky that I’m in exceptional health and don’t have any pressing long term health problems (double knock wood on that one).
I’m lucky that I had the “luxury” to make the decision to leave a job that was killing my soul without having another job lined up. I’m lucky that I didn’t have any major financial commitments that I couldn’t get out of. I’m lucky that my mom was kind enough to allow me to move back home for the second time in two years rent free. I’m lucky that I like to cook and my mom doesn’t so I don’t feel like a total mooch having her pay to feed me because she’s getting something out of the deal as well. I’m lucky that I’ve had great friends that have not judged me but supported and encouraged me through this difficult time. I’m lucky that I’ve had the time and motivation to do the serious soul searching about what I want out of life so that I can move forward with more clarity and intention. I’m lucky that I’ve found a couple small opportunities to teach and facilitate programs to keep my skills sharp, my confidence strong and my mind challenged during this transition time. I’m lucky for all of the lessons I’ve learned and perspective shifters I’ve encountered since this transition time started. I’m lucky that, while not necessarily ideal or fun, I can sustain this state longer term if need be without racking up major debt.
I’m lucky that I was able to successfully switch my field of work once with relative ease. I’m lucky that three of my past professional jobs have been gotten without any contacts or connections (that is RIDICULOUSLY lucky). I’m lucky with the success I’ve had in finding good, challenging jobs in the past. I’m lucky to have the skills and experience I have. I’m lucky to have worked in such diverse industries and environments. I’m lucky to have lived in a variety of cool places. I’m lucky to have met, worked with and learned from amazing people from all over the world. I’m ridiculously lucky to have had the opportunity to travel around the world not once but twice, visiting 22 countries all as part of my job! I’m lucky that I’ve taken risks in my career and not only always landed on my feet but found myself in better and better places each step along the way.
When the days of unemployment feel long, the prospects seem few and my confidence starts to waiver I just have to remember how lucky I am. I have to remind myself just how OK I am during this tough time and how someday I’ll look back at this tough time and remember how lucky I was to have had it because it led me to my next great adventure in life.
