AS UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS RISE MANY OF THOSE WHO ARE LEFT ON THE JOB, WHILE GRATEFUL, ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING GROWING FEAR, GUILT AND DEPRESSION ABOUT THE FACT OF HAVING A JOB.
"SURVIVOR GUILT" WAS A TERM MOST OFTEN LINKED TO VICTIMS AND NEAR VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME. NOW IT IS A COMMONPLACE EXPERIENCE OF THOSE ASSAULTED BY A WEAKENING ECONOMY AND A FALTERING JOB MARKET.
COMMON RESPONSES TO BEING THE ONE WHO "SURVIVED"THE LAYOFFS
A SADDENED JOY ABOUT HAVING A JOB.
GRIEF FOR THE LOSS OF COMPANIONSHIP OF COLLEAGUES (Including the people you did not like so much. They are gone now and you may find yourself rewriting your memories of them. Second-guessing how you treated them or they you serves little healthy purpose.)
FEAR THAT YOU MAY BE NEXT (This is a common reaction - and it is possible. Rather then spending each night waiting for the "other shoe to drop" the following morning - begin now to look at your budget and your income-producing options.)
ANGER ABOUT THE ECONOMY (Join the club. Now think about you - and what you need for you - and who/what can be helpful.)
OVERWHELMED WITH THE ADDITIONAL TASKS (As there are fewer people to accomplish more things - it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Try to develop a structure/schedule for yourself - and remember you are only one person)
EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL EXHAUSTION TRYING TO NEGOTIATE YOUR SEEMINGLY COMPETING THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS. (It is hard and exhausting to feel happy and sad; relieved and worried; fearful and angry all at the same time.
WHAT TO DO:
MAINTAIN YOUR OWN ROUTINES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
IF IT COMFORTS YOU - KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOURSELF.
IF YOU ARE ABLE TO SUGGEST IDEAS OR LEADS TO A FRIEND, YOU CAN DO SO - IF THEY ASK - AND ONLY IF YOU CAN (You do not have to give them the one good lead you have for yourself).
PACE YOURSELF AT HOME AND IN THE OFFICE.
ENGAGE IN HEALTHY STRESS REDUCTION ACTIVITIES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
REACH OUT TO OTHERS.
IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION - BE VERY MINDFUL OF YOUR MOODS. MEET WITH A PROFESSIONAL IF NECESSARY.
IF YOU DEFINE YOURSELF BY YOUR JOB/CAREER, NOW IS THE TIME TO LOOK AT YOU BEYOND WORK. WHO YOU ARE AS A HUMAN BEING CAN NOT BE DEFINED BY YOUR TITLE OR THE PROFESSIONAL LABEL TO WHICH YOU HAVE BECOME ATTACHED. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO? WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER FUN TO DO? WHAT IS NOT? DO YOU HAVE A HOBBY THAT COULD GENERATE INCOME? ETC., ETC.
KEEP PLAY IN YOUR LIFE.
WHAT NOT TO DO:
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO APOLOGIZE FOR HAVING A JOB.
BE MINDFUL OF YOUR PERSONAL SPENDING/DISCUSS THE HOUSEHOLD BUDGET.
DO NOT JUDGE YOUR OWN THOUGHTS OR FEELINGS - BE CURIOUS. (These are difficult times - the last thing you or the people who care about you need - is for you to beat up on yourself - thus helping you to sink deeper into depression)
DO NOT TAKE ON MORE THAN YOU CAN TAKE ON. (You really are only one person. If you agree to do more than you can - you will wind up looking/feeling less competent that you truly are!)
DO NOT DENY YOUR VERY HUMAN TENDENCY TO FEEL SAD AND GLAD ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
WORRY CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC THINKING/FEARS. IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO YOU - YOU WILL/ARE FEELING TRAPPED AND TERRIFIED. REACH OUT FOR HELP.
WHETHER EMPLOYED OR UNEMPLOYED, THESE ARE TRYING TIMES. WE MUST ALL BE THOUGHTFUL AND CREATIVE WITH OUR TIME, OUR FINANCES, OUR LOVED ONES ... AND OURSELVES.