Why you should be happy in the unemployement line!

It's easy to get into a rut when you have been out of work for a while. There are all sorts of blogs and books that refer to the simple slide into depression for all sorts of reasons; lack of purpose, loss of identity, the feeling of hopelessness when those rejection letters start rolling in....wow, now I need a drink.

While all this will most likely be true for the vast majority of us at one point or another, it's not worth falling down that path. However, when you do start to feel that tug into the darkness of depression check this out!

Ten best things about Unemployment in no particular order!

1. The Mid Afternoon Cereal Snack!

It's like being back in high school...around 3:30pm you just need a bowl of cereal. Think of it as starting the day all over again!

2. Tuesday Wine Tasting!

Wine tasting at noon on a Tuesday...you won't be alone! Best of all? If you want to have a good time the folks pouring love the fact you are there! Find that friend that's still part of the wine club and start drinking for free!


3. Never Being Tired!

Seriously it's fansastic. You never have anywhere you just must be so sleep in, take a nap, or go to bed early. You have no reason not to and who knows when you will be able to do it again.

4. Going to the Gym when No One Else is There!

Hate the fact that 24hr Fitness seems more like 6-8am and 5-8pm Fitness? Nothing beats walking up to a treadmill without another soul in sight. Except for that potential hot mom trying to get back into shape!

5. Happy Hour!
After years of missing happy hour times it just feels good to sit around at 4pm and start getting your drinks for a bit cheaper... 'cause we all know you've been drinking since more like noon!

6. DVR'd TV!

Worried about missing our favorite TV shows due to all the drinking and going out? Never fear! Record it and spend the next morning working off the hangover while catching up on how Jack Bauer is saving the world this time.

7. Lunch with Working Friends!

Nothing will make you feel better than walking up to a table full of suited up friends while wearing your most comfortable cloths. It also helps to know you aren't the one picking up the check!

8. Afternoon trip to the Strip Club?!

Have you been to Sassy's at 2pm? You should!

9. Not Showering or Getting Dressed!

I'm not one for bad hygiene (nor is the lady friend) but having the choice is pretty great! It's also fantastic waking up tossing on the robe not to worry about it until 11:30 when you need to put on some pants and head off to lunch.

10. No Need for White Dress Shirts!

Now any well dressed man (I will put myself in this category for these purposes) needs a few white shirts. They are like a black suit or well worn pair of wingtips, you just have to have them in your closet. But for me and a few fellow former co-workers the white shirt is a sign of oppression! For 5 years it was all I could wear 6 days a week! That's roughly 1560 days of WHITE SHIRTS! 11 hours a DAY!!! Honestly it wouldn't have been that bad except for during those 11 hours a day, at least 4 were spent washing cars! Have you tried to wash a car in a suit and white shirt? Let's just say I was sending Christmas and Birthday cards to my dry cleaner by the end! For me it's the white shirt I love not wearing anymore, for many others it's the uniform. Be it covered in grease and oil or splattered with toner from that crappy fax machine, casting aside the forced upon wardrobe ushers in a whole new life!

If my list of greatness isn't good enough to break you from the funk of unemployed depression make your own list! Really take this time to figure out what is important to you and find the joy in it. We are all more than our jobs, employed and unemployed. The faster you figure this out the more enjoyable this period of your life will be!