Being Unemployed

Posted by Paym Bergson Jun 6, 2006

Being Unemployment does NOT mean you are not a full person. Our society tries to put us all into square boxes (and I am the first one to admit I'm a round peg). How often are you at a party, and the first question a person asks you is "what do you do" - implying what do you do for a living. And everyone else responds with their credentials of living as their work.

Yes, we spend most of our lives in our work - BUT that does not mean we should be defined by our work, nor should we let our work define ourselves.

When asked that question, I judge the audience and potential networking capabilities. Am I there just for fun? Then I respond by saying my hobbies, interests, etc - and that my work is defined as a "jack of all trades, master of none". This usually elicits an interesting conversation OR the person looks at me as if I am from a far away planet not yet discovered, and they back away s-l-o-w-l-y so as not to disturb me and risk me chasing them. So, yes, I still use all gatherings as a potential networking occurance, but can easily back away OR go full force into my work. I have to - as a contract worker I am constantly considered "unemployed" and must always be looking for my next paying contract.

But man, I do have some fun poking holes into the usual social fabric of being defined by our work.

So, what do I do for a living?

I read mysteries and Sci Fi, do the logic puzzles and math problems from Dell, go for long walks, attempt my exercises on a daily basis, listen to jazz and classical and alternate rock (while turning on my fav oldies to exercise to), go out with friends, take care of our menagerie of animals (birds, lizards, turtles), take care of two teenagers (a full time career in itself), and write for Suite.

Oh? You mean for money?

That's a whole different article!

Check out the article

for this week - and let me know how YOU coped/are coping with lack of employment.