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What do you do to destress/recharge when job searching starts to drain you?
Job searching can be a very long and arduous journey that takes a lot of endurance. Exciting to think about what will come next but a long road to get there. Some days when I just don't feel the "focus" and am a bit discouraged, I give myself permission to do a little work on the search, then decompress and organize other areas of my life. I find interior design/household organization SO therapeutic - a tangible outcome for the effort you put in, unlike writing applications and interviewing where you often don't have a tangible result for your efforts.
Does anyone else do this, or what do you do when you're feeling meh?
Randi PMP Certified Project Manager
23
09/26/20 at 7:46PM UTC
I think it is really important to give yourself permission to realize that you cannot job search 24/7 and that you need to give yourself time off every day. I know others have mentioned this, but I think doing something physical daily such as yoga, walk or run is really helpful. It will help your mind and your spirit.
Victoria CianciProject structure is key and I have the keys
410
09/23/20 at 5:41PM UTC
There is so much great advice being shared, but by being present with what is going on is most important.
K Clare JohnsonI tell the story of your company
60
09/23/20 at 4:04PM UTC
One thing that has helped me is turning off the TV (And Netflix, Hulu etc.). I found I was wasting so many hours watching things I didn't really care about, and felt guilty that I wasn't job searching. So I've been doing some kind of physical activity for an hour almos each day (running/walking/yoga) as a substitute. It helps a lot to get outside if you can (Covid permitting of course). I've also taken advantage of free certifications that can increase my skills such as Google Analytics.
maalvika pathania
13
09/19/20 at 1:30PM UTC
Yes it really helps to do a list up on your time for your self. take that time off twice a day even if they are 15 minute breaks to do what you like doing ,just your self.read.meditate or just listen to music or even a power nap if possible..every little helps to keep yourself smiling in such situations..
Ashley LemTalent Acquisition Coordinator
52
09/19/20 at 12:08AM UTC
Yes, I definitely agree on taking some time to do something that helps you to de-stress. I like to do yoga, read a good book, listen to music, or spend time with the family.
Anonymous
09/18/20 at 2:32PM UTC
I do the exact same thing!! So therapeutic. Job searching is sometimes like a job in itself. You need to take the time whether organizing, cooking, whatever relaxes you!
Pragathi BalasubramanianSenior PM
94
09/17/20 at 8:34PM UTC
Totally with you on the need for a break. I've been doing this for so long that I've taken a two faceted approach:
1) Redefine what a tangible result means. I used to tie my self worth and definition of success too tightly to job application successes/failures. Now I see any step in the process to be a result worth acknowledging. To that end, I had to break down my steps pretty severely until I got to a point that was mentally manageable. For example, I now only do three job applications a week. Only go through referrals. Every step in the application process is now discrete and a result. Customized my resume to the job? Excellent, that's one discrete thing, I can go take a break or continue. Finished one application? Alright, I guess I'll shift my efforts and focus else where for a bit before returning..etc. This helped me reframe job applications as less of a rat race and I eventually disentangled my self worth from the whole process as a result.
2) Finding the right way to take a break. Similar to my job search I found that I turned all my hobbies into todo lists where the successes and failures began to affect my wellbeing. So I had to dial that back a bit and focus on my intentions. My equivalent of a therapeutic activity is cooking, but I'm often too overwhelmed to do it. I decided that some friendship encouragement could go a long way here and made a FB group among my friends for folks who were trying to cook more. Seeing my friends post on that group is now a regular reminder to me that cooking is meant to be fun, and not a chore and that it is a therapeutic activity for me. (Now that I say this, I really want to cook now, lol)
Heartie LookPartnerships|Program Management|Communications
126
09/21/20 at 2:21PM UTC
All very helpful - especially #1 - breaking it down into bite sized pieces and being very intentional and discrete, as you say...not just pumping out applications for the sake of it, and giving yourself breaks after accomplishing a task (or two)!
Maria Molinari Team Lead / Project Coordinator
565
09/16/20 at 11:47AM UTC
Yes! I do the same thing and I believe it's necessary. Job searching is draining (even if we don't want it to be) we want to put our best self out there, we want our resume to be perfect and our portfolios to shine. It is all a mental strain. I love reading, I think reading is relaxing so when I get to that point, I'll grab a good book!!
Heartie LookPartnerships|Program Management|Communications
126
09/16/20 at 2:06PM UTC
Yes! I've rediscovered my love of reading recently (was on a hiatus between work and Mom life for a while there!) and it is SUCH a great escape! What book are you reading now? Any faves? I just finished River of Doubt about Teddy Roosevelt's trip down an uncharted river in the Amazon- it was an exciting tale of adventure and reminded me of our ability to be resilient and persevere!
Anonymous
09/16/20 at 2AM UTC
Though I get daily alerts on job openings, I see to it that Sunday is still "rest day," even from job search. This way, I feel less stressed and somehow look forward to Sundays. Also, I do not force myself to job search if I am not in the right mindset to do so. As others have mentioned, I divert my attention to activities I would enjoy - de-cluttering the house mostly. Take breaks and get back to your job search when you're not ready to do so. Goodluck!
Heartie LookPartnerships|Program Management|Communications
126
09/16/20 at 2:03PM UTC
Yes, I do think there is an analogy in there somewhere between organization/decluttering the house and finding a job you want...bringing more clarity to both your home and mindset on the journey!
Anonymous
09/16/20 at 1:47AM UTC
Walking outside. We try to live where we enjoy our surroundings. It’s the best break from stresses. Another one I love is watching TV or catching up with friends and family. But all easier said than done.
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