Thoughts On Being Unemployed
Today is the second day of the rest of my life. The second day of unemployment and what a funny feeling this is. In my thirty’s I was unemployed for a couple of weeks, in my 40’s for a couple of months and each time as a door closed, the one that opened was for a much better and brighter future, one positive step leading to another.
This time it feels different, not permanent, not down, certainly not hopeless, just different. This time I’m in my early 60’s and the specter of not being hired because of my age (yes, I know, not hiring because of age is illegal – so what?), or because of health problems (I’m a recovering lung cancer patient – 4 years thank you very much) and going bald. OK, maybe not that last one.
I’m not without options of course. I have a license to practice, I have skills as a counselor that few in my area have due to my many years of experience, I’m trained in trauma resolution and can work with combat veterans suffering from PTSD, and I have extensive experience working with abused children and teens. Private practice is always an option.
Ahhh, but setting up that practice is daunting. The energy that I had fifteen years ago to do so is not the level of energy I have left. My knees hurt, my hip aches. I have perepheral neuropathy due to my lung surgery and I have thoracotomy syndrome. Sometimes just getting up in the morning takes an act of congress. 
Thank God Almighty my congress functions much better than the U.S. congress.
So, on today, my second day of unemployment I go forth in anticipation of setting something up to occupy my time as gainfully employed. Till then, I guess I can clean out the garage.
[...] Posted at The WideAwakes [...]
Wow, GM, so many people seem to be in the same boat…I’m right there with ya, although I’ve been out of work since the end of October. My husband has been out of work for almost two years (it’ll be two years in April) – and my two sons are both out of work. This coupled with the knowledge that at my old company they’re planning on more layoffs all the way through March of next year…it sure is “different” than any other time in my life when I’ve found myself without a job. In the past, I’ve always been able to find one quickly. This time it has proven to be VERY different.
Praying for all of us.
I know whereof you speak… lets pray that all of us find something soon. In the meantime, back to the garage!
Good luck, GM. These are uneasy times, to say the least.
In January 2008, without warning, my husband was let go from the company where he had worked for 12 years. The reason: his age and the fact that the company could hire other workers who opted out of the company’s health-insurance plan.
My husband had a part-time job but, because of his age, never did find full-time employment. Now, after the stroke he had on September 15, he is awaiting approval by Social Security for total disability.
Being without a job in one’s 50s and 60s makes finding another job nearly impossible right now.
Best of luck GM. The financial collapse happened about 6 months after I retired, so like a lot of folks, I had thoughts that maybe I’d retired too soon. Luckily, I’m able to pick up a second day with my former employer, so along with my pension, I can make ends meet.
What’s the matter? Did the stimulus not get as far as south Texas or something?
I was reading an article by Pulitzer Prize Economist Paul Krugman (liberal idiot) the other day. He mentioned the tasks that lie before this country. Unemployment was not even mentioned. In the meantime, Obama and the Democrats push job-killing bills.
Hang in there, George. Remember, you do have a job, and that job is looking for a new one…and it’s full-time. Let the garage go for now.
Also, check if you can’t share an office with another practitioner who has one and pay a percentage of what you collect for rent. You can find a lot of people in need of mental counseling. Just look for their Obama bumper stickers.