I dont know what is wrong with me. I feel like I will go crazy because of anxiety. I dont have family and I can only rely on myself. I am so worried I wont be able to find another job. And staying home all day is driving me crazy. I dont know what to do. I apply everyday but no interview so far.
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Same boat
https://www.thelayoff.com/t/1kastpkr1
@OP - this is my second time getting Laid off from a major Telecom company, the first time I felt just like you because I had given a BIG part of my life to them and couldnt imagine starting over. Looking back, it was the BEST thing that could happen to me - it ALL WORKS OUT. So, dont be afraid of letting go and starting over, it really can be a Blessing in Disguise. Believe me, I was once where you are now - there is Life after Verizon.
@OP don’t give into capitalism. Your mind & body needs very little to happily survive & thrive. Rest is just fluff. Focus on health. Do small nice healthy things for your mind and body every single day.
First things first. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, both mentally and financially. Secondly, be open to all options, even if they pay less. Some income is better than no income. Also, don’t feel obligated to be loyal once you find a job. Go wherever you can grow the most. If you find something better once you have a job, take the better job. Hang in there and don’t give up. You’ve got this.
@cb I agree with this recommendation. I’ve seen people who were selective because they were trying to find something comparable to what they previously had. They regretted it because they had no income for an extended period of time. The bills piled up and they had a lot of debt accumulating. If you take whatever you can find, at least you have some income compared to zero, then you can work your way back up.
the key is to take any job, just to get back on the horse. Even if it is out of your field and entry level.
So the answer to your question @OP is NOTHING. Nothing is wrong with you. But you need to change your approach and behavior, accounting for other important things besides JUST putting resumes out. We all get how important it feels to find the next job, but you need to be healthy and mentally at your best, too, when opportunity comes knocking.
Consider that phrases like "solitary confinement" and "time deprivation" are associated with punishment and even torture. In prison, which is already not meant to be an enjoyable experience, when someone misbehaves, the punishment is to be put in a room alone.
So, if you are approaching this stage of your job search as "I'm going to sit here, alone, in this room. I'm going to interact with no one. I'm going to wait, with my fate in the hands of faceless, nameless people out in the internet somewhere. I'm going to maintain nothing specific to look forward to and nothing that separates yesterday from today or today's activity from tomorrow." => You are asking more of yourself than what most people can tolerate without going a little cray cray. It's practically the definition of anxiety.
Please look at the suggestions on this board, and take them seriously. You don't need to try all. Try one today. See if you like it. Try another tomorrow. Make a little calendar for yourself of which suggestions you tried on which days and which you liked. Exercise is painful, but it can give lots of returns in boosting your spirit. I can't say enough - don't blame yourself for not being able to just sit there and magically not go nuts.
As someone who lost their job during both the dotcom bust and the great recession, I can attest that it's frustrating and depressing to job hunt with the odds against you. I agree with the other posts that you need to find other activities and outlets. Searching for and applying to jobs all day long is not good for your mental health. Get some exercise, eat well, and talk to friends. Keeping a positive outlook is important.
As for landing a job, try networking as much as possible. The way to get a job now is not by hitting submit 100+ times a day on job sites, because everyone is doing that. Find out who you might know at that company (through LinkedIn or other sites) and make contact with them. Your goal is to get your resume seen by human eyes, and even better if you can get a recommendation from a current employee. A quality job hunt will pan out better than a quantity job hunt. Best of luck to you and keep your head up!
@OP I strongly encourage you to contact Verizon’s employee assistance program (EAP). You should be able to get six free counseling sessions. Sometimes we all need a listening ear and someone to lean on during a hard time. Job loss is extremely difficult. Please contact the EAP today. Good luck to you.
@OP Exercise is going to be number 1. Even going for a walk can help. Meditation to get your head together…you’ll be surprised at the ideas and thoughts you can generate when you calm your mind.
@ar number 1 -a psychiatrist costs money, genius. A lot of money. Number 2 - you don’t even know what if any “religion” they subscribe to. Giving good advice isn’t your calling…stick to your day job and/or have a seat.
Get outside. Go for a walk walks. Throw a podcast on and hit the gym. Anything to move your body- and take a deep breath, everything will be okay. We can’t always see the outcome but you need to trust the journey. Bet on yourself and pray. Let the rest go. Take care of your body, nourish it, the rest will fall into place.
@OP Have you reached out to LHH with resume help? What is your skill set? There are certain job boards related to tech such as builtin.com and wellfound.com
If you are a H1B, I would really suggest going back home. No job is worth more than yourself. You'll get another job but you wont get another life.
Try joining a hobby that is social, like D&D or Magic The Gathering. Community can help with mental health. Just remember you're not alone in this world.
The best thing you can do is see a psychiatrist and intentionally expand your circle of friends—spend time with people you genuinely enjoy. People with families often face a different set of mental pressures, especially around providing for their loved ones and the uncertainty of when they’ll be able to get back to work. Most importantly, reconnect with God. He is the only one who can truly help us through these challenges and guide us during difficult times
I think you need support, some of these other posts were great. You need to widen your friend zone.
You need time as well, but break up yiur time into manageable segments, have goals each day/week.
Sadly, youre not alone. This is a big wakeup call for a lot of people. Im realizing that it may be best to go forth with what your passion is.
Try some other activities if you will ....such as :
- church
- volunteer
Don't let the despair get to you. It won't help to find a job, or fell better. One other thing I can suggest, try to enroll in some classes, or different education. At least you will interact with more people.
Hope this helps a bit.