Posting for Wednesday, July 10th, 2013
When we got the news that we were being laid off from Springleaf Financial, aka American General Finance, it was a shock. True, we knew it was coming, just didn't quite know when that proverbial ax would fall. So, when it did come to an end, many emotions came along with it.
My coworkers and I at the time used to sit outside at the picnic table on break telling each other how much we were looking forward to being unemployed for the first time in our lives. How little did we know, how much it would truly suck!
Some good things came out of being unemployed, for me I got to see my family more, go see Brittanee's graduation with no restrictions (other than money), help her move to her first apartment away from IU, bond with Pepper, etc.
It also turned me into a person that I can't now identify with. I had nothing to occupy my time, other than my movie challenge I attempted to complete--watching 100 movies I had never seen before. With limited funds, I was not able to see my friends as much as I was accustomed to and things just werent the same.
I don't think anyone can truly know the feeling of being unemployed with limited funds to pay bills, and pray that you have enough money for food at the end of your payday on your unemployment card. I was fortunate enough to be able to keep my mortgage payments current, thank God. Other things fell by the wayside. I alienated people during this time.
Looking back to our foolishness at that picnic before we got the news of getting a severance package and being booted out of the door, this was not a good experience. Many think when a person is unemployed for as long as I was that I was not actively seeking a job, I was. I needed that for self worth and get back on track as the person I know I am, truly deep inside.
True, some don't like me, some never did never will--that is their problem, not mine. Friends, some, would check in on me from time to time, which was very nice. Some that I thought would check in, never did. You quickly find out who your friends are when you are faced with something like this. I am not making any excuses, just trying to get this out and move on.
Everyone kept telling me I was "entitled" to those unemployment benefits and I should just take the payouts and enjoy my time off. I did enjoy the time off in the beginning, after I got over being sick. But I missed the social interaction with people. Some people offered to take me places, I went on a few occasions but stopped doing that as well, as I am not a moocher. While on unemployment and the limitations that go along with it, I felt like I was on welfare. I felt people, and yes, even friends looked at me like a charity case. Not a good feeling.
I was in a dark place at times when I was unemployed. Funny, I got the call for a phone interview appointment one day when I was leaving the Unemployment office, another place where you feel like a number and not a real person with goals and dreams and a shot at being an employed citizen again. I had to go there several times a week to do stuff on their computers, which was gross! Not saying I am a snob but some of the people there looked like they hadn't had a bath in a mighty long time, not judging, didn't know their situation, but having to touch the same keyboard as them made me want ot hurl!
Even though the phone interview went well and later was called to accept or decline the job, and even though it wasn't much more money than my unemployment, I jumped at the opportunity to start again in a new company and once again have health insurance and other benefits.
It has been many years since I have worked somewhere, where I hardly knew anyone. Here I was thrown into a totally new environment and surprisingly, I was comfortable. I don't have a lot of strong bonds like I did working at American General, but then again I have only been at Vectren now for 13 months, I am hoping new friendships will come in time. Don't get me wrong, I have several friends there, only a few close ones, but then again my circle is always and has been a small one. Those I truly trust, those I thought I could trust, and those that are working to earn my trust.
I am thrilled not to be unemployed anymore on many levels and now that I am working the shift I wanted to work for years, 4 10 hour days with a day off during the week, the only thing that would make this job better would be to make more money. I took a heck of a paycut taking this job, but some of the benefits make it worth it. I would like to venture into the collections side and see how they do things, maybe one day.
The moral to this story, is that, when you talk to someone who is unemployed, don't make them feel like they are less important than you are, reassure them that something will come their way, understand when you invite them places and they can't go, understand when you offer to pay for them to go somewhere with you (some of it is a pride thing), and just be there for them to vent and tell them what is going on in your life, ask them to help you with things they may be worried about. Even if they can't go and do things with you, make them feel they are still a part of your life and they have a purpose....and most important, let them know, this too shall pass.......
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