Hikikomori Days: How to stay productive during Joblessness

Hikikomori means shut-in in japanese. More 'pulling inwards' shutting themselves from the outside world. In the anime community it's used along with NEET, but NEET has legal meaning in the UK (Unemployed person under 25, not in education or training).

So I've been job-hunting constantly these past few months and since the market is still garbage, I thought "Hey? Why don't I write an article on what I've basically been doing these past months".

1) REST, REST, REST and REST!

Rest! This is very important during the first month of lay-off, because you are going to be shaken and disturbed. If the lay-off was very bad you'll probably feeling very sick and blue. Which isn't exactly the head-space you want to be into. Especially if the workplace was somewhere you actually like. But I do understand it's totally possible that the place laid you off without redundancy/holiday pay to cover you. But you WILL need to rest, You WILL need to reset.

2) Stay active

Stay active! When I say stay active, I mean use the time productively. For example I built this website during this work drought. I've been coding things in other languages mainly C# even though all my jobs have been PHP. I've also been working on 3D art and music. Even though neither of those probably aren't going to fiscally enrich me, I've been active in a portfolio sense and not losing my edge. Inactivity will result in a loss of knowledge which will have to be relearned when you get a new job in you're field.

3) HIT GYM

Get those gains brah! Well...you don't exactly have to go gym but it's very, very important you stay physically active and actually leave the house. Some days it's really, really, really hard when there isn't a goal. Especially during the early days of job-loss, you rot and grieve. As an part of you is no more and you feel insanely weird. I would recommend a 15 minute stroll every day. Just going to the shop and buying a can of coke or something is good enough.

4) Set a Routine

SET! A! ROUTINE! As you get back into the hunt you should try your best to set a routine. By routine, I mainly mean a bedtime routine as being unemployed its insanely easy to become a night-owl. Night-owling will trip you up as it's slightly annoying to flip a sleep schedule without pulling a all-nighter. So wake up at 7/8am. Go bed 10/11pm.

5) Job Hunt

Get back on the wagon and job hunt. Make sure you factor inflation. If you make £X. £X * rateOfInflation. The problem with the hunt though is it's really a numbers game. You be going through recruiters like the Marine in DOOM does to demons. Keep that head up high and apply, apply, apply.

In addendum, Following these tips should help you stay afloat and well. It's hard, lifes hard. Doesn't help with the global instability we're walking into. Doesn't help with firms having tight purses. But we're get there because I believe in you. I probably don't know you. but since you've taken the time to listen to my voice. I want to thank you and hope the best will come soon.

Till next time.... Kind Regards, Jason Lees.