Laid Off and Lucky

"I wanna fill my belly so I gotta get paid."
                                - Spaceman, The Dave Matthews Band


I know that I am fortunate compared to a lot of folks these days.  I was laid off back in April, but as far as losing your job goes, I had good luck:

• I had a little money saved for an emergency just like losing my job.
• My mortgage is paid in full.
• I was given a parting gift of a little severance package, which is definitely not the norm from what I hear from my fellow unemployed peeps.   
• I am able to collect unemployment insurance.  I felt a little funny about this at first - I've been working for over 30 years, it seemed weird to be paid without an actual job.  But I have come to terms with it:  my job now is to look for work, and the State pays me for that activity.
• All of the unemployment interactions take place online or over the phone.  I don't have to visit any offices or stand in long lines.  My weekly allowance is deposited directly into my bank account.  A far cry from the tedious and humiliating situation my dad faced when he was unemployed in the mid-1970s.
• I can work part-time and still collect unemployment, with some restrictions. 
• I qualified for a COBRA subsidy, which means my former employer still pays 65% of my monthly health insurance bill, while I pay the affordable remaining 35%.  And it is fine, fine health insurance.  I have the same low deductible and no worries about preexisting condition waivers.  I don't need to be concerned about health insurance, at least for another 12 months.

I recognize that things could be a lot worse.  I have looked upon this summer as a gift, some time to enjoy until I found my new gig.  I spent the weeks working in my gardens, playing with my nieces, hiking with my dog, golfing, practicing yoga, going to concerts and minor league ball games and catching up with friends.  I haven't been so relaxed - or tan -  in years.

But I have been a little worried about finding a new job.  I've been laid off for 21 weeks now.  I've submitted my resume and applied for over 60 jobs.  Of those, I have scored two interviews and one job offer for part-time work.  Oh, and one kind woman sent me a email saying she'd hired someone else but she'd keep my resume on file.  I suppose on some level I thought I'd find a new job at a similar salary level pretty quickly.  When the offers didn't come rolling in, I started to be concerned.  My unemployment insurance will run out soon, and my savings are dropping a little too much for comfort.

So I took the part-time job even though it's not exactly in my area of expertise and I'm accepting some freelance writing assignments.  The job is fun and I love the writing especially - I can't believe I am actually paid for doing something I enjoy so much!

I may not be making six figures like I was before my layoff, but I think I am going to be getting by just fine.  Maybe a new job with a high salary is not the answer I am seeking after all:  maybe finding a way to make ends meet while staying relaxed and happy is the way to go.

I'm still feeling pretty lucky.

Copyright © 2010 Donna Nims.  All Rights Reserved.