In which I lose my job, but learn some things along the way

Losing your job sucks. I found that out the hard way in mid-November when the small advertising agency I worked at had a round of lay-offs. I had a job that I loved, at a company I believed in, and with co-workers that were absolutely awesome. Then I was told I couldn't go back. *sigh* All I can say is that it wasn't my finest moment, because I cried - while they were laying me off, while cleaning out my desk, on the way to the parking garage, on my way home, for most of the week afterward. This isn't going to be bitch session, because honestly, I decided somewhere between work and home that I enjoyed my time there and I wasn't going to let this take me out. I'm not going to lie, some days its been a real struggle, but I've learned a few things in the last couple of months that I thought I would share.

1.) You need your support system. Immediately: I can't tell you how awesome my friends and family have been through this. Between the vent sessions, teary phone calls, and the cheerleading while I've sent out my resume, I know that I couldn't have done this without them. Having someone I can talk to who is going to be on my side no matter what really helped me work through this tough time.

2.) You're going to be angry... and in denial, and depressed, and confused, and lonely. Sometimes all at once. Losing a job is a loss, it's okay to grieve (Read about the stages of grief here).

3.) Pants are overrated: Pretty sure this is where my interest in Pajama Jeans came in. If you aren't going anywhere, do you really need to put on pants? Now I'm not talking pants are overrated in a "I'm so depressed and can't get out of bed" type of way, but more in the "all I have to do is clean the house today..." way. If you can do your job search and walk the dogs in your pjs I say more power to you. And please don't buy me pajama jeans, they are ridiculous!

4.) You will start to do weird things: Like talk to your dogs, or wear make-up when you have a phone interview, or start watching HGTV obsessively (I love me some House Hunters). All I can say is that you'll have a lot of time on your hands to fill. Which leads me to:

5.) You need a project: other than job hunting that is. I've downsized my 1932 sq ft house into 330 sq ft in 2.5 weeks, and helped my in-laws finish a bonus room. My next "big" project is doing needlepoint or maybe finishing that quilt I started 3 years ago. Doing something is so much better than sitting around watching TV and you'll feel better about yourself in the process.

6.) Tough decisions aren't so tough anymore: Selling my house and living with my in-laws may be many things -- embarrassing, not where I wanted to be in my early 30's for sure -- when the writing was on the wall the decision wasn't that hard. Doing what you have to do is much easier when it's your only option.

7.) Network! People can be really helpful: Most of the people I've networked or interviewed with have been laid off and share their stories when I tell them what happened. They also are more than willing to try to help out and pass resumes along. Just remember that asking for help is good, being a pest about it isn't.

8.) Someone else will want to hire you...eventually. I keep telling this to myself. With the job market the way it is and all the competition that's out there, I'm pretty proud of myself that I've been interviewing steadily since I started looking. Even got to second and third interviews at some places. Just keep networking and talking to as many people as you can, and interview when you get the chance. Perseverance pays off!