Dealing With Job Search Depression

Dealing With Job Search Depression Im in Austin today, heading to San Antonio for dinner tonight My Depression Clouds Everything post continues to get comments (342 comments when I wrote this) it has taken on a life of its own, which is kind of depressing in itself (that it even gets any attention makes me sad). I got an email a few weeks ago that said: BTW Depression is sinking in Sad. In my original depression post I dont give solutions so perhaps I can throw out some ideas here. Im not qualified to give medical advice, but here are some Jason Alba ideas on combating depression in a job search: Move on from the job boards. Sure, get on job boards, but set up their agents and then just watch your inbox.   Dont spend much time looking for openings where everyone else is. Set up a nice office. My office was in my bedroom. My bedroom was relatively dark.   How can this be healthy?   Now my JibberJobber office is in a nice dedicated room, with a nice big window.   First thing I do in the morning is to open the blinds and let as much sun in as I can.   I love looking at the sky blue or gray or whatever for me its so much healthier than my dark bedroom! Dont watch TV. Especially the news. Most shows are, well, predictable.   My guilty pleasure is The Office but I watch it on Friday morning on my computer 21 minutes with hardly any commercials.   Im not saying to not watch your favorite show, but dont watch hours and hours and hours and yeah, really.   Jobless people watch that much TV especially while were depressed. Movies are okay, however!   Especially inspirational movies! Finally, the news?   NO.   OFF LIMITS. Get out of the house DAILY. You cannot maintain human sanity unless you are around other humans.   You dont have to talk to them (heaven forbid), but I think its good to be around other humans.   Dont like that?   Go outside and be one with nature, or sit on your patio and soak up the sun just get a change of venue. Exercise DAILY. I barely moved for months, which was not good for my joints or back.   From bed to Lazy Boy (sp?) chair my body went to pot, and I think Im still paying the price for being so sedentary.   Want easy?   (a)   Figure out a one mile walking route and do it daily (it should take about 20 minutes).   (b) Do some pushups.   Even girl pushups count ?? (c) Do some crunches.   (d) Calf raises and/or squats.   Do this regularly. Write. I found writing very therapeutic.   Start a blog, or start a journal, or buy a ream of paper.   Use writing as a place to reflect on your life, where you want to go, etc.   Do visualization exercises.   Its powerful. Read inspirational stuff. I cherish reading the autobiography of Hellen Keller, or Randy Pauschs The Last Lecture.   These books helped ground me.   I love a good Grisham novel, and I LOVE to read Inc Magazine.   There are certain scriptures that really hit home.   Find something inspirational and read it.   Read good, healthy stuff regularly. Volunteer. Volunteering is just plain good. I tried two places, got reject both times, and gave up.   I should have been more creative.   Find places where you can keep your skills sharp, or contribute to the good of humanity. HELP SOMEONE. Usually when they say volunteer in a job search I think about volunteering in a business setting.   Do that.   Beyond that, find someone who you can help in some way, big or small.   You can do it anonymously, or they can know, but when you HELP SOMEONE you feel so good!   So good!   Careful, you might become addicted to helping people! _________. What do you suggest?   The first nine are simply albaisms share your -ism with us! (since Im not close to a computer the comments might not get through until I approve them (that is only true for people who have never commented before). Dealing With Job Search Depression Im in Austin today, heading to San Antonio for dinner tonight My Depression Clouds Everything post continues to get comments (342 comments when I wrote this) it has taken on a life of its own, which is kind of depressing in itself (that it even gets any attention makes me sad). I got an email a few weeks ago that said: BTW Depression is sinking in Sad. In my original depression post I dont give solutions so perhaps I can throw out some ideas here. Im not qualified to give medical advice, but here are some Jason Alba ideas on combating depression in a job search: Move on from the job boards. Sure, get on job boards, but set up their agents and then just watch your inbox.   Dont spend much time looking for openings where everyone else is. Set up a nice office. My office was in my bedroom. My bedroom was relatively dark.   How can this be healthy?   Now my JibberJobber office is in a nice dedicated room, with a nice big window.   First thing I do in the morning is to open the blinds and let as much sun in as I can.   I love looking at the sky blue or gray or whatever for me its so much healthier than my dark bedroom! Dont watch TV. Especially the news. Most shows are, well, predictable.   My guilty pleasure is The Office but I watch it on Friday morning on my computer 21 minutes with hardly any commercials.   Im not saying to not watch your favorite show, but dont watch hours and hours and hours and yeah, really.   Jobless people watch that much TV especially while were depressed. Movies are okay, however!   Especially inspirational movies! Finally, the news?   NO.   OFF LIMITS. Get out of the house DAILY. You cannot maintain human sanity unless you are around other humans.   You dont have to talk to them (heaven forbid), but I think its good to be around other humans.   Dont like that?   Go outside and be one with nature, or sit on your patio and soak up the sun just get a change of venue. Exercise DAILY. I barely moved for months, which was not good for my joints or back.   From bed to Lazy Boy (sp?) chair my body went to pot, and I think Im still paying the price for being so sedentary.   Want easy?   (a)   Figure out a one mile walking route and do it daily (it should take about 20 minutes).   (b) Do some pushups.   Even girl pushups count ?? (c) Do some crunches.   (d) Calf raises and/or squats.   Do this regularly. Write. I found writing very therapeutic.   Start a blog, or start a journal, or buy a ream of paper.   Use writing as a place to reflect on your life, where you want to go, etc.   Do visualization exercises.   Its powerful. Read inspirational stuff. I cherish reading the autobiography of Hellen Keller, or Randy Pauschs The Last Lecture.   These books helped ground me.   I love a good Grisham novel, and I LOVE to read Inc Magazine.   There are certain scriptures that really hit home.   Find something inspirational and read it.   Read good, healthy stuff regularly. Volunteer. Volunteering is just plain good. I tried two places, got reject both times, and gave up.   I should have been more creative.   Find places where you can keep your skills sharp, or contribute to the good of humanity. HELP SOMEONE. Usually when they say volunteer in a job search I think about volunteering in a business setting.   Do that.   Beyond that, find someone who you can help in some way, big or small.   You can do it anonymously, or they can know, but when you HELP SOMEONE you feel so good!   So good!   Careful, you might become addicted to helping people! _________. What do you suggest?   The first nine are simply albaisms share your -ism with us! (since Im not close to a computer the comments might not get through until I approve them (that is only true for people who have never commented before). Dealing With Job Search Depression Im in Austin today, heading to San Antonio for dinner tonight My Depression Clouds Everything post continues to get comments (342 comments when I wrote this) it has taken on a life of its own, which is kind of depressing in itself (that it even gets any attention makes me sad). I got an email a few weeks ago that said: BTW Depression is sinking in Sad. In my original depression post I dont give solutions so perhaps I can throw out some ideas here. Im not qualified to give medical advice, but here are some Jason Alba ideas on combating depression in a job search: Move on from the job boards. Sure, get on job boards, but set up their agents and then just watch your inbox.   Dont spend much time looking for openings where everyone else is. Set up a nice office. My office was in my bedroom. My bedroom was relatively dark.   How can this be healthy?   Now my JibberJobber office is in a nice dedicated room, with a nice big window.   First thing I do in the morning is to open the blinds and let as much sun in as I can.   I love looking at the sky blue or gray or whatever for me its so much healthier than my dark bedroom! Dont watch TV. Especially the news. Most shows are, well, predictable.   My guilty pleasure is The Office but I watch it on Friday morning on my computer 21 minutes with hardly any commercials.   Im not saying to not watch your favorite show, but dont watch hours and hours and hours and yeah, really.   Jobless people watch that much TV especially while were depressed. Movies are okay, however!   Especially inspirational movies! Finally, the news?   NO.   OFF LIMITS. Get out of the house DAILY. You cannot maintain human sanity unless you are around other humans.   You dont have to talk to them (heaven forbid), but I think its good to be around other humans.   Dont like that?   Go outside and be one with nature, or sit on your patio and soak up the sun just get a change of venue. Exercise DAILY. I barely moved for months, which was not good for my joints or back.   From bed to Lazy Boy (sp?) chair my body went to pot, and I think Im still paying the price for being so sedentary.   Want easy?   (a)   Figure out a one mile walking route and do it daily (it should take about 20 minutes).   (b) Do some pushups.   Even girl pushups count ?? (c) Do some crunches.   (d) Calf raises and/or squats.   Do this regularly. Write. I found writing very therapeutic.   Start a blog, or start a journal, or buy a ream of paper.   Use writing as a place to reflect on your life, where you want to go, etc.   Do visualization exercises.   Its powerful. Read inspirational stuff. I cherish reading the autobiography of Hellen Keller, or Randy Pauschs The Last Lecture.   These books helped ground me.   I love a good Grisham novel, and I LOVE to read Inc Magazine.   There are certain scriptures that really hit home.   Find something inspirational and read it.   Read good, healthy stuff regularly. Volunteer. Volunteering is just plain good. I tried two places, got reject both times, and gave up.   I should have been more creative.   Find places where you can keep your skills sharp, or contribute to the good of humanity. HELP SOMEONE. Usually when they say volunteer in a job search I think about volunteering in a business setting.   Do that.   Beyond that, find someone who you can help in some way, big or small.   You can do it anonymously, or they can know, but when you HELP SOMEONE you feel so good!   So good!   Careful, you might become addicted to helping people! _________. What do you suggest?   The first nine are simply albaisms share your -ism with us! (since Im not close to a computer the comments might not get through until I approve them (that is only true for people who have never commented before).