Being unemployed for more than a few months can make you depressed. Hearing ‘No’ after ‘No’ is hard on anyone’s self-esteem. Add in bills, family demands, and embarrassment and you have a downward emotional spiral. A couple of my friends were laid off their jobs just before Christmas. So far my friends have been able to deal with their situation in a healthy, positive way. How can you beat depression when you become unemployed?

1. Stay Positive. It’s tough to be positive when you feel like you’ve been kicked in the gut. The adage that positive attracts positive is true when it comes to dealing with negative situations. When you have a positive attitude, you’ll notice opportunities or random chances more often than if you are bitter or negative. People will also respond positively to you because having a good mood gives a better impression at interviews.
2. Chuck Bad Attitude. It’s easy to blame the boss, co-worker, or family member for your job loss. Revenge never works and isn’t the Christian thing to do. Hold off before you start dishing out the blame and anger. Ask yourself who is really to blame? Be honest. If you think you might have had something to do with losing your job, take responsibility. Sometimes it isn’t your fault and the reason for the entire situation is beyond your control. Accept that and instead of wasting energy and time on being angry, focus on the present and what you can do to improve your situation.
3. Talk. Egos and identities get wrapped in jobs. There’s shame and embarrassment about not working plus the feeling you’re a burden on others. Talking helps take you out of that negative space and puts you into a supportive, positive world. Remember that your purpose on earth is something greater than the job. A job is a job, but you bring the sparkle and light that makes what you do special.
4. Reach Out. Toss your pride. Don’t become isolated from connecting with others. Network on social media sites. Inquire into that dream job you’ve wanted forever. You won’t loose anything and at best you’ll achieve a goal. Tell your story but be careful not to dish your employers or the job. Tech connects us more than ever before. No one wants their words to haunt them years later.
5. One Day At A Time. The bills are mounting, kids need stuff, and the in-laws think you’re a waste of time. It’s easy projecting negative thoughts into your future. It’s harder being positive when things seem bad. But it’s all about perception and belief. Negative thoughts attract negative situations. Soon you’ll see only the negative side of things that come your way. Positive thinking attracts positive results. Focus on one day at a time, on your ‘right now moment’ instead of tomorrow or next week. Right now you’ve filled out applications, you did some interviews and that’s positive. It’s also all the control over the situation you have so allow the process to take over.

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” ~ Alexander Graham Bell

Terezia Farkas. International Bestselling Author, Huffington Post/ CNN contributor, columnist of Depression Help. Focus is mental health. Her bestseller Heart of Love Evolution – Surviving Depression is available on Amazon. Website:  www.tereziafarkas.com Follow on  Twitter.