This too will pass. When one door closes, a new one opens. It was probably for the best. You’re not the first one this has happened to. The sun will come out tomorrow. And many other useless things people say when others have suffered loss…
We have all gone through surprising or painful loss. It comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it is the loss of a job. Worse, the loss of a loved one. For about half the people who have tried marriage, divorce is a reality they have to face at some point.
All of these situations can negatively affect the bottom line. As bad as the initial loss is, nothing is scarier than a sudden loss of necessary income. At that point, grief is a luxury you can no longer afford. Your new priority is finding money for the mortgage, the car payment, the babysitter, and all of your other responsibilities that don’t go away on account of you suffering loss.
So when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Better still, here are three things you should do for a smoother transition:
1. Learn a New Skill
It always seems like it is never the right time to start something new. But when you suffer a loss, especially a loss of income, there is almost no better time. Once you have lost that which kept you tied to the status quo, you have the opportunity to try something new, and maybe a little bit crazy.
In times like these, some aspiring hair stylists turn to the Academy of Hair Design to pursue their dreams of becoming a stylist, or other specialty schools. Pursuing this type of goal is the perfect way to get back into the game of life or three reasons:
- It is what you always wanted to do
- It takes a short time to get your certification and get to work compared to other career options
- It helps you meet new people and get started on making new memories
Starting something new will not make you forget what you have lost. But it will help keep you from sinking into depression. And a new career will also help keep the bill collectors at bay.
2. Work on Your Health and Fitness
There are many practical things you should do immediately after losing your job. Polishing up your resume is one of the most useful tasks, especially because so many people forget to do it. But the list of things you should do goes beyond professional and financial considerations.
A little time off work is not all bad. You can finally make use of that gym membership. Instead of getting up early and getting ready for work, you now have time to take a walk, or even a jog if your knees can take it.
It is also a perfect time to start a better diet than the one you sank into due to your busy work schedule. No matter what the next chapter of your life looks like, it will be easier and more productive if you kick things off with a fitter, healthier you.
3. Rediscover Yourself
Many people have no self-identity outside of the people in their lives. A serious loss can be a serious blow to one’s self-image. That is why it is a good idea to take a little time off to reassess who you are without that which you have lost.
For some, this takes the form of a spiritual journey. Psychology Today offers 5 ways to rediscover the real you. But they are just the tip of the iceberg. This may be a good time to take that trip to the place you always wanted to visit. Watch some of those movies you never got around to. Get that hairstyle that you always liked, but thought no one else would.
It is not about spending money you don’t have but ceasing to suppress the things that might help you rediscover yourself. You know everyone else’s favorite food, favorite movie, favorite color, etc. Isn’t it time you learned those things about yourself?
Learn a new skill. Get fit. And rediscover yourself. The most important ingredient for life’s lemonade is you.