{"id":51307,"date":"2020-05-14T11:38:31","date_gmt":"2020-05-14T18:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/?p=51307"},"modified":"2020-05-14T11:38:31","modified_gmt":"2020-05-14T18:38:31","slug":"options-and-resources-if-youre-out-of-or-low-on-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/options-and-resources-if-youre-out-of-or-low-on-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Options and Resources if You\u2019re Out of (or Low on) Work"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re finding yourself feeling restless and with more time on your hands, you are not alone. In the past three weeks, more than 33 million people<\/a> have filed for unemployment benefits. While it may be tempting to fill your time with what feels like work \u2014 sending out job applications or refreshing your inbox (which is what I do when I feel anxious about job security) \u2014 here are some ideas and resources to help you get through this time of little certainty.<\/p>\n

If you have more time, use it wisely.<\/h3>\n

Everyone has a hot take about whether this time should be for rest or productivity, but why do we have to choose? With less work coming in, the thoughtless mind might cling to bingeing TV, scrolling Instagram, obsessively checking the news, or constantly applying for new opportunities, but there are other ways to tune out and rest.<\/p>\n

Media may help you escape or give you a (false) sense of control but won\u2019t contribute to your long-term well-being. Instead, if you\u2019re trying to take a break from work, actually rest. Take a nap. Go for a walk if that\u2019s an option. Look out the window. Read a book, or try one of these other ways<\/a> or even these other ways<\/a> to check in and give your mind and body meaningful rest.<\/p>\n

As for work time, instead of flinging resumes into the void, you can try one of the other points on this list.<\/p>\n

Broaden + deepen your network.<\/h3>\n

Take this time to reconnect with friends, colleagues, and old coworkers. Maybe there are opportunities to help each other, or maybe those opportunities will pop up when things start moving again. Humans are social creatures, so don\u2019t be afraid to reach out and check in just for the sake of it.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve started a lunch date initiative where I schedule two video lunch dates per week and then introduce each of those people to other folks whom I think they might like to speak with (and they do the same for me). I welcome you to start your own, or email me<\/a> to join mine.<\/p>\n

Work on your resume\/story\/portfolio.<\/h3>\n

What differentiates you? What are you doing this all for? If the answer is \u201cto pay my bills\u201d I feel that, but that won\u2019t make people want to hire you (unless being super straightforward is part of your vibe and you have the track record to back up your drive). But for the rest of us, what drives you beneath that? What is the intersection of expertise that will help you stand out?<\/p>\n

Humans love stories. The better you can frame your story through a website, resume, portfolio, or cover letter, the more likely a potential client or employer is to root for you. Maybe this is an opportunity to bring a passion project to life and showcase the kind of work you want to be doing. Maybe you can pivot, add something new that tailors to the present moment. Can you give yourself the space to be creative with what might be possible?<\/p>\n

Learn new skills or enhance old ones.<\/h3>\n

Gazing at the stock market, the news, and your inbox will slowly erode your sanity. Instead, you could take up drawing or hone those writing skills. You can use the list below for free and discounted classes to get those creative juices flowing.<\/p>\n

Or if you\u2019ve got an old instrument lying around, you could try getting back at it. Challenging the mind keeps it healthy<\/a>, so pick something that really makes you think. (I\u2019m currently trying to teach myself the Sweetwater Theme from Westworld. It\u2019s not going well, but it\u2019s kind of fun.)<\/p>\n

Take a look at the big picture.<\/h3>\n

If you don\u2019t regularly check in with what you actually want and are working towards, you may not be optimizing yourself for happiness. Maybe the global pandemic is confronting you with those deep big picture questions. Instead of ignoring the feeling of discomfort again, what if you sat with it?<\/p>\n

There are plenty of ways to tackle that. You can try journaling, creating mood boards, talking to people in and out of your field, reading books by people you admire, or even envisioning your perfect future self (a very helpful Buddhist practice). Sometimes we need help with that so if therapy, coaching, or other counseling is an option, and if you have the funds, that might be something to explore.<\/p>\n

Do your taxes.<\/h3>\n

I know they\u2019re not actually due until July 15, but getting your 2019 taxes done, especially if it was a better year than 2018 for you, can be helpful when you apply for the CARES Act<\/a> backed SBA loans (or any other assistance you may have access to as the SBA funds have been quickly depleted). Plus, you can file them now, and not pay anything you may owe until July.<\/p>\n

Additionally, here is a list of free and discounted tools to get you through the stay at home orders.<\/p>\n

Tools + Resources<\/h3>\n

Adobe<\/a>\u00a0is offering extended free trials and sharing options. They are also sharing the Adobe Summit presentations digitally.<\/p>\n

Internet Essentials<\/a>\u00a0provides high-speed internet to low income households and is offering two months free for eligible customers.<\/p>\n

For those new to working from home,\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>\u00a0has organized a video series of best practices for remote working and productivity.<\/p>\n

Flex Jobs<\/a>\u00a0has a free guide on how to find and land remote\u00a0jobs.<\/p>\n

Humu<\/a>\u00a0is providing nudges \u2014 what they typically share with clients as highly-specialized science-backed\u00a0recommendations \u2014 to anyone who needs them.<\/p>\n

Job Fair\u00a0X<\/a>\u00a0is hosting a virtual job fair on July 20 for New Yorkers.<\/p>\n

Listen on Repeat<\/a>\u00a0is a free tool that lets you listen to the same song on repeat through\u00a0YouTube.\u00a0I like using video game music, but you can choose your own adventure.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a side hustle to get your through tough times, here is a list of currently open positions via\u00a0Indeed<\/a>\u00a0and another one via\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This\u00a0Medium post<\/a>\u00a0contains a resource directory along with tools specifically for freelance designers.<\/p>\n

inc.com<\/a> has put together a MASSIVE collection of financial resources for small\u00a0businesses.<\/p>\n

Continuing Education<\/h3>\n

Sackett Street Writer\u2019s Workshop<\/a>\u00a0is offering discounted online classes, a free video series, and weekly \u201cwrite ins.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Daily Frolic<\/a>\u00a0has made a creative writing series free.<\/p>\n

Aaron Blaise<\/a>\u00a0is offering free and discounted virtual drawing and animation classes.<\/p>\n

Disney<\/a>\u00a0has a how to draw series posted for free on YouTube.<\/p>\n

Nikon<\/a>\u00a0is offering select online classes for\u00a0free.<\/p>\n

Code Wizards<\/a>\u00a0is offering free and reduced pricing for kid\u2019s coding classes.<\/p>\n

Prodigy<\/a>\u00a0has a list of resources for families to entertain and teach children.<\/p>\n

Netflix<\/a>\u00a0has released a\u00a0handful\u00a0of documentaries to YouTube.<\/p>\n

A range of grant writing courses (from $30 – $200+) are available for virtual sign up through\u00a0Eventbrite.<\/a><\/p>\n

JSTOR<\/a>\u00a0has expanded its free read-online access from 6 to 100 articles per month.<\/p>\n

Project Muse<\/a>\u00a0has opened up journals to the public through participating publishers (most participating publishers have agreed to open access through the end of May or June.)<\/p>\n

Health + Wellness<\/h3>\n

Mental Health America<\/a>\u00a0has compiled a list of resources for everyone from caregivers to domestic violence survivors to veterans.<\/p>\n

Headspace<\/a>\u00a0is offering free meditations in a series called\u00a0\u201cweathering the storm.\u201d<\/p>\n

305 Fitness<\/a>\u00a0has free at home dance\u00a0workouts.*<\/p>\n

Core Power Yoga<\/a>\u00a0has free online classes.<\/p>\n

Three Jewels<\/a>\u00a0has discounted online classes, meditations,\u00a0and dharma\u00a0classes.*<\/p>\n

We Are Body Language<\/a>\u00a0has live classes on Instagram*<\/p>\n

Monterey Bay Aquarium<\/a> has a few live cams set up accompanied by relaxing\u00a0tunes.\u00a0The jellyfish are my favorites.<\/p>\n

Media + Entertainment<\/h3>\n

Scribd<\/a>\u00a0has opened up their library for 30 days. This is not your typical free trial. You won\u2019t be asked to input your credit card here.<\/p>\n

Amazon<\/a>\u00a0is adding free perks to Prime and Kindle packages for existing and new users.<\/p>\n

Audible has launched\u00a0Stories<\/a>\u00a0where children\u2019s stories are available to stream for free in a range of languages.<\/p>\n

The San Diego Zoo<\/a>\u00a0has\u00a0live cams set ups for pandas, orangutans, polar bears, giraffes, penguins,\u00a0and more.<\/p>\n

The Bronx Zoo<\/a>\u00a0is on that live cam game, too,\u00a0with lemurs, turtles, sea lions, and the aquarium.<\/p>\n

Australian Reptile Park<\/a>\u00a0is posting videos of animal tales and live streams of koalas, crocodiles,\u00a0dingoes,\u00a0and live feedings.<\/p>\n

Taronga\u00a0Zoo<\/a> in Sydney is also offering live streams for otters, elephants, tigers, meerkats, and more.<\/p>\n

*Writer\u2019s note: I used to teach at Three Jewels and personally know the folks of 305 Fitness and We Are Body Language, and have included them because they\u2019re amazing. I do not get a kick back for this promo.<\/p>\n

\n

About the author.<\/strong>
\nAlessandra is the mentor, educator, and writer behind Boneseed, a private practice devoted to deep self-inquiry through a range of physical, energetic, and mental modalities. She has over 500 hours of yoga, mentorship, and facilitation training and can be found slinging knowledge on her website, newsletter, and @bone.seed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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