Let go at work and trying to adapt to being at home

[booknerdxo]

I have had the week from hell and trying to adapt to not going back to work is really taking a toll on me.

I was leg go at the beginning of the week as they have no work for me and I have felt sick with anxiety since. For me, it was never about the money even if it was a bonus. It was me getting out of the house whilst my DD was at school.
I have non stop applied for jobs and I've even gone as far as applying to volunteer to places and so far nothing yet. I've spent a week at home already and every time I think about it I get so upset and I just start to feel sick.

My question is, what is some of your tips to stay occupied at home?
I clean what I can as soon as I've done the school run and sometimes I bake as well. I've gone for walks but I still have such a big amount of time to myself after. I visit my family when they ain't working but 9 times out of 10 they are.

Sometimes I feel like I am being dramatic moping about and getting upset over being at home, but I really struggle with change and I like to stay busy.

Op, I'm on gardening leave at the mo, and have created the following routine.
Get up normal time, do school run etc.

Back home, make coffee, settle down to do Mumsnet puzzles and LinkedIn puzzles. That usually takes me to 9am. Brain suitably exercised.

Then I spend the morning job-searching. Writing covering letters, sending applications. I've signed up with a temping agency as well.

Once I have done everything available, usually late lunchtime, I might make supper, do some gardening or cleaning, maybe a bit of redecorating. These days of spare time won't last for ever so make the most of them. 🙂

Sorry to hear you're having a rough time OP. Adjusting to big unexpected changes is hard.

I have sometimes found it useful to remind myself that it's ok not to be doing something 'productive'. It's quite ok to just do some things for fun, especially when you find yourself with unexpected time to fill.

What sorts of things have you enjoyed doing in the past? I quite enjoy a wander around our local zoo to see the animals and sometimes have a brief chat to the zookeepers. Or a browse in a charity shop, or a visit to the library.

Is there a hobby you had as a child that you might enjoy picking up again? Bird watching / painting or drawing / playing music?

Have you thought about visiting a library. Our local one in a large town is very nice and modern, with a cafe. Lots of pcs to use as well. Nice chairs to leaf through books and magazines in a quiet corner. Bonus is there's a park opposite. It's warm and light and comfortable.

I took redundancy after a short return from a long Mat leave. Was a shock!! What do you enjoy?? Do more of that. I love decorating/renovating so do a lot of it. Also I’ve learnt to cook and manage food shopping MUCH better. We eat really well now compared to when both working. Is money tight or can you manage as you are? If you can manage- relax a bit. You could take up some new sport or classes. Do an online course? Or real life one. I am also doing a course with Coursera so sort of preparing to return to work in the nearish future maybe next year. Get yourself some passion projects! x

Doesn't sound like money is the issue, is it your partner? Do they make you feel like you don't deserve to have some down time to yourself? Childhood thing that you must be useful at all times? Personally I'd spend some time really looking at why you're struggling. It shouldn't be hard to entertain yourself for a week. Housework, gardening, school run, read, watch a TV show you wanted but didn't have time for, art galleries, coffee shop, lunch out, museums, short online courses, learn to knit or paint or similar, DIY jobs that haven't been done yet, etc. but you need to be happy in your own company for most of those. Are you?

Could you sign up to an online course? Towards the end of my Mat leave our childcare fell through and I couldn’t return to work (my son isn’t in nursery so I’m with him all day, so quite busy!)
I decided to do an online course in something I’m interested in. I think it’s cost me about £500 for the registration, course material and exam costs. And it helped me get a part time job at weekends in that profession, so in future I can get a full time job doing something I enjoy.
If you’re struggling with not knowing what to do all day, but you don’t desperately need to return to work tor finances, then studying could really be a good step for you.