I lost my job today

[Earth_First]

I'm so nervous right now that I am sick to my stomach.

I'm not really sure how to cope with this.

Speechless really...

:shrug:

[PeaceNikki]

1. I'm so sorry.

It's happening to SO many people right now. You're in good company.

:(

Good luck!

[gizmo1979]

2. lost mine last week

it sucks,but you just save to take a breath and concern yourself with things that you have control of.

[Earth_First]

4. I'm sorry to hear that...

You know what emotion that I really feel the most?

Anger.

I'm not sure if it's a healthy emotion at this time, but I am so angry that the situation that brought me into this situation was so unbelievably beyond my control, that I am next to blind with rage.

[gizmo1979]

8. The anger fades when you realize

there is nothing you could have done to change your fate.The thing I miss the most is the people I no longer interact with on a daily basis.I spent more waking hours with these people than my wife and now that is gone and I miss them terribly.

[Sequoia]

3. Outsourced ?

I'm sorry.

[Earth_First]

11. No, my job was not outsourced.

I build handcrafted stonework for a landscape contractor in upstate New York.

[ddeclue]

15. Do you have other skills or education?

It sounds like you are going to have to find a different line of work for a while because you are involved in "construction" which is totally over built right now with the housing glut.

Do you have any hobbies or passions that you could translate into an alternative career?

[Earth_First]

29. I have a two-year degree in natural resources conservation

I fell into stonework by chance as I worked in the landscape industry as a student during the summer. I found that my enjoyment in what I was doing lead me into a full-time job and never concerned myself with finishing school. The hindsight is pretty remarkable, however it's always 20/20. I've been in this field now for almost 12 years now, so since leaving college, it's all I've known. It's what I am skilled at. That is about it. I'm sure that I can market myself one way or another once I'm able to really focus on this with a clear head. For now, I simply find comfort in reading the support I've been offered by the kindness here at DU.

[Sequoia]

22. That sounds very specialized.

I ride the bus with a landscape architect and he was laid off for two weeks then came back but was told not to count on having a job after the one he's working on now, unless things improve. Which probably won't in this town.

[stillcool]

5. I'm so sorry...

run don't walk to sign up for any unemployment, help or assistance, even if you think you might not need it, as soon as possible. Don't wait. It's a full time job in itself.

[EFerrari]

6. Been there. It's an awful feeling.

:hug:

[Jackpine Radical]

13. Me too. In 1992 I came out of the hospital after bypass surgery

to find that they had suddenly "eliminated" my job. I could never prove that their motive was to ditch me because I had become too expensive on their health insurance plan, but of course shortly thereafter they created a "new" job position with slightly different qualifications and hired a person just out of school to do it at less pay. A winning move all around for them.


I don't mean to diminish your loss, just to share my story. This is a terrible time to lose a job, and I have great sympathy for you and for everyone who is suffering in this economy.

[EFerrari]

20. It's frustrating because, apart from this horrible economy,

in my early 50s and everything I know how to do, I can do better today than twenty years ago. But, that doesn't seem to be a selling point.

Hugo Chavez recently said he was willing to hire out of work English teachers from California. That's my ace in the hole. :silly:

[proud patriot]

7. Big Hug

My husband was laid off just over a month ago.

I know it doesn't make it any easier .

I wish I had more words of encouragement.

We just have to be there for each other in these
very difficult times .

If you live close to me I can offer some meals .
I try to feed as many people as I can these days.

All my best ,
Trish aka proud patriot

[Earth_First]

14. Thank you so much!

You really are a proud patriot with the offer.

It's folks like you that will collectively help our country out of this mess.

Again, thanks for your kindness!

[shaniqua6392]

9. I am so sorry!

I know how horrible you are feeling right now. We live in Michigan and it is happening here to so many people. Give yourself some time for it to sink in. Can you collect unemployment for now? Check into any retraining programs that are offered through your state's unemployment office. They often will help with short term retraining/trade schools, etc. I wish you the best of luck.

[ddeclue]

10. I just spent the last 14 weeks being unemployed

and have been unemployed three times in the last year so I feel for you.

What kind of work do you do?

What part of the country to do you live in?

What is your education?

What are your skills?

What is your experience level?

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. I am so very sorry :^(

[myrna minx]

16. I am so sorry.

:hug:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

17. its helps not one bit to know that 8,000,000 others are there with you.

I do recommend a couple of things.

Your mental health is crucial right now. The normal reactions are Anger. Depression. Confusion. Embarrassment. Despair. Fear. Worry. Stress-based lack of sleep. Frustration.

I am seeing some signs that there may be some changes, positive ones, almost like a hint, a shadow, a suggestion. In order to find something when an opportunity appears is really critical. In order to be ready, can I recommend doing something that Julie Cameron recommended in her great book, the Artist's Way.

Go to your local library, they should have a copy.

The basic recommendation is to keep a journal. Religiously. Turn off all distractions. Be alone. take a blank notebook. Pencil or pen. No Cell. No TV. No Radio. And write three pages. EVERY DAY. Write about everything and anything. Doodle. Write thoughtlessly. Write creatively. Write with anger and love. DO NOT USE A COMPUTER. There is something tactile, and mentally healing to do in in pen or pencil. No matter what, do three pages every day.

You will be surprised how well it works. It takes a few days, even a few weeks, but if you keep it up, you will feel far better, you will see your situation and its realities far clearer, and solutions will be far more obvious.

Best wishes. I am seeing so much of this, that it sucks.

[valerief]

18. I'm sorry hear this. I'm like so many others--just waiting to be pushed out, too.

It's a pandemic in this country.

Hope you have resources to keep your head above water financially.

[peace13]

19. Sending you good thoughts and energy.

I am sorry that you are having to deal with this.

[Blue Diadem]

21. I'm sorry Earth_First.

:hug:

We're in the same boat here. DH was laid off in Feb.

[monmouth]

23. Hugs Earth First. My heart goes out to you..n/t

[MiniMe]

24. I'm right there with you.

Lost mine 2 weeks ago. :grouphug:

Hang in there.

[Berry Cool]

25. I'm so sorry.

Not much else to say, except the same thing I seem to always say: "Been there, done that, and I feel for you. Be strong and trust in your ability to somehow land on your feet."

It's crummy.

[seemslikeadream]

26. I lost my job 2 months ago

but not my soul, not my children, not my friends.

[Earth_First]

27. Thanks, that is very comforting...

I find comfort in realizing that what's left is what is most important to me.

[seemslikeadream]

28. I am just so glad I had not spent 20 years giving to a company that could throw me away

in an instant. Have you checked out the temp job places, are you able to get on unemployment? With temp stuff and unemployment I make just about the same

[Earth_First]

32. Yeah, tommorrow after I pick up my hand tools from the shop I am looking into unemployment...

I'm not even sure how to go about it.

With the loss, I don't anticipate getting much sleep tonight, so I will spend a good deal of time researching the process. I just hope that I can cover at least half my losses on unemployment.

[soothsayer]

30. Sorry to hear it. Did you get any severance? Can you get unemployment?

I lost my job 2 and a half months ago (my fourth layoff since 1994). You do eventually get over the shock and other ill feelings. Hang in there! You can bounce back.

[laylah]

31. ..

:hug: s and good vibes coming your way. I have no words of wisdom but I wish you well.

[whistler162]

33. Good luck....

Look at Craigs List

American Job Exchange - http://www.americasjobexchange.com/

http://www.indeed.com/

Also check out whether you can go back to school to gain new skills.

I have gotten off lucky this time around.

Had almost 1 year of knowing I was being laid off/job eliminated. So "laid off" at the end of January - started contracting the beginning of February - hired again on April 1st. All with the same company different job title.

[Faux pas]

34. So sorry to hear that. Suggestion, check into in home care giving.

I know a lot of states are cutting these benefits but, it's on job for sure that can't be outsourced....not unless they decide it's cheaper to send old sick folks to India for their care. Good luck to you. Breathe deep.

[malaise]

35. Takea day off - do what you really like

and then dust yourself off and start all over again.
:grouphug:

[Ignis]

36. Hang in there. (nt)

[mnmoderatedem]

37. join the club - lost mine a month and a half ago

hang in there. We're in better shape with Omaba in there, with extended unemployment benefits and the COBRA premium discount. At least we have that...

[applegrove]

38. I'm really sorry. You are not alone. I have had my hours cut. It will be okay.

[OhioChick]

39. I'm so sorry to hear this and hope that you find something else soon.

:hug:

[Avalux]

40. I'm sorry; I've been there.

File for unemployment tomorrow - and take a few days to get over the shock then start looking for something else. DO NOT take it personally. I lost my job at the beginning of the year and just started a new job Monday (thankfully). Spent every day I was unemployed looking for a job as if it was my job.

You'll be OK; I know it sucks though. :hug:

[wisteria]

41. Sorry to hear this. I lost mine in Feb. and I can relate to how you must feel.

Try to remain positive and busy even though this might be hard. Employers aren't looking for negative pessimistic people.

[LibraLiz1973]

42. I am so sorry!!

Stay strong- sending good vibes to you.