i spent about 9 months unemployed during the pandemic (i was 22/23) and while it did take a toll on me, i eventually realised how much time i had to actually take care of my body and mind.
i worked out a lot, got in shape and was very happy with how i looked. i also grabbed the savings i had and took a course that eventually got me into the career i wanted in advertising.
it's easier to create a routine with all the time you have on your hands. you can find many ways to be productive without realising. i remember i read a lot, watched a lot of movies and shows, played a lot of videogames and still found time to exercise and study.
just gotta be careful not to lose motivation. take this chance to reflect on what you would really like to pursue. you're in possession of the most valuable of resources: time. 🙂
6d ago
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thank you! Just made the big move to nyc and the job search it’s brutal… I walk my dog an insane amount everyday at the moment which definitely helps us both. Course is a good idea! Just finished school but I am trying to find a class to internship to take :)
6d ago
@ONEMOREPRAYER i can only imagine! nyc has almost the same amount of people as my whole country. best of luck to you!
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I really struggled with all the unstructured time post-grad and my body totally flipped like what do you MEAN I have nothing to do and if I do nothing, nothing will happen? This rec is annoying, but as a skilled layabout, it really helped me overcome the whole “what do I do all day” thing and also the “why am I falling asleep at 3 AM and waking up at noon?” thing to make a loose schedule and try to adhere. If you’re applying for jobs, school, or even just pondering what to do next, think about:
At what time during the day do I feel most awake and alive? Then, block out like four hours around that window. I try to do 90 minutes of focused work at a time with like 60 minutes between for chilling. So, if you can start with two little blocks of working on applications or doing some intentional, focused pondering, great. Gradually, you can increase the amount of work if you want.
Then, plan the rest of your day around things you need and want to do - move your bod, eat, socialize. Things like talking a short walk in the morning to get some sunlight, going to the movies, and calling friends, lighten me up! Keep it simple babe!
Post-grad, I laid on a couch for three months in stay at home girlfriend mode totally consumed by fear. I asked a lot of older people how they figured things out and they told me that nobody ever does. I like to do some meditations on intention and listening to yourself (linked). And I agree with capyboppy...try to stay present and pay attention to what you got going on right now! The weight of future is heavy becuase you probably want your life to be sick and meaningful….and that’s cool.
Jun 11, 2024
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the best way to get over FOMO for me was to remember that i'm living my life for me and that the best way to do that is to take care of myself even when that's not the most fun option. in college, i would always struggle to stay home when my friends were going out even if i was really tired or had a lot of work to do. i would go to the party that was never as good as i told myself it would be and then be exhausted the next day or behind. and that lack of sleep and procrastination would just compound over time.
there was always going to be another party, but not another due date.
there was always going to be another party, but not another day to sleep in.
parties and fun events will always be there. your health and mental wellbeing is not something that should be gambled on something that will never go away.
right now you have covid and it must suck because it's not that you don't want to go but that you literally can't. but right now, you're not only doing what's best for you but also for others. you are replenishing your energy, you are recovering, and that is extremely important! i think sometimes we take our health for granted but it is truly a privilege! you aren't missing out for no reason. you're actively taking care of yourself and your community.
speaking of other people, you have no idea if you would've even enjoyed the event. there have been so many times that i have been with people at parties that were lame, boring, or just unpleasantly crowded. and those same people i was with, would post about it like it was the best night of their lives. if i had only seen it on social media, i would've thought i missed out on so much. but i was there! and it sucked! people only post their highlights and they are incredibly unreliable.
you know only know what you know. you can only build upon certainties, so there's no point in guessing or engaging in hypotheticals because the possibility of you having fun vs not having fun is equally likely and a pure unknown! it's a waste of time to wonder. instead, focus on what you do know and make the best of the things you can do that you know you enjoy!
whether it's catching up on movies, books, games, long phone calls with long distance friends, trying new recipes, making a really specific spotify playlist, adding a million pins to your pinterest boards, playing games, binging a tv show, redecorating your room, etc etc.
so TLDR:
- your health and mental well being over everything
- there's always going to be another party
- social media is inaccurate
- you know what you enjoy, so focus your time on doing the things you know for sure will make you happy.
*bonus suggestion*: i've been playing a LOT of sudoku and i think it's a good way to entertain yourself that doesn't require a lot of physical expenditure and isn't just mindlessly scrolling.
i hope you feel better soon!! <333
Jul 18, 2024
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once I realized that most days I spent entirely at home made me feel awful when they should make me feel rested, I started making a point of getting out of the house on days where I have nothing planned. you can really go anywhere as long as it's a place that you're comfortable and can waste some time in. I would usually go to a coffee shop and do homework/browse the web on my laptop, which I could just as easily do at home but it felt better than doing it there because I actually had to get up, get ready, get outside, and interact with people even if minimally. it just helped me stay grounded.
nowadays if i have to stay home I make a point to force myself to get up at a normal time (sleeping until past noon will make you feel like you can't do anything because it's already so late you migh as well just stay in) and do something creative, usually that helps the time fly if you get engrossed in it for a while. having a hobby is a great timesink that actually feels productive.
if the weather is nice, just go outside and take it in. if you can walk around your part of town, just putting on music an meandering can be a good way to get familiar with your area or find something new to try. I'm a fan of biking so if there's a pedestrian trail in your city just get on and ride. I've found that putting on music and going at a chill pace I can end up wasting hours taking in the sights and vibing and actually get some excercise too.
in general, moving around and getting out are huge. you don't even need to be doing anything ""productive"". but if you must stay inside, get out of the bedroom and find an activity you can get lost in for a while, stimulate your mind a bit.
May 6, 2024
Top Recs from @chulzz
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while facing an insane heat wave (>40ºC for a few days now) i've found myself thinking about spike lee's do the right thing a lot.
it's not a "feel good" type of summer story at all, but i think if you're looking for a film that makes you think "summer" in every frame, this is the one.
Jun 30, 2025
it's always splendid to come across something you love so much it makes you experience deep regret for not having looked for it earlier.
of course, comedy is subjective, but 30 rock is probably the funniest show i've ever seen. it elevated tina fey to deity status for me (i'm also reading her book, bossypants) and it's totally deserving of being the subject of my first recommendation around here.
the comedic pacing is very impressive. it's absurd. it's heartfelt. it's self-aware. and it never feels bumpy. if you haven't watched it, you should. and if you have, you should go again.
Jun 30, 2025
i'm working on this new concept called "joints bingo". after having hip surgery at 23, i've now had surgery to fix a torn meniscus and acl at 27.
on top of that, i'm not sure whether i'll need surgery on my ankle as well, so i might get to the respectable mark of three joints before 30, which would probably get me on some kind of forbes list!
anyway, i guess what i'm trying to say is that i highly recommend not fainting with your whole body weight on your leg. you might wreck it.
also, if none if this makes any sense or is just plain uninteresting, joke's on you, 'cause i'll just blame it on the anesthesia.
Jul 2, 2025