Many of us define ourselves by our job. You might say you’re a teacher or a nurse before you say you’re a parent. This is why not working can be really hard. There are many reasons why you might stop working for a while. Those reasons can be hard enough without the added pressure of unemployment. 

No work usually means no income. If your time out of work was planned, like having a baby you might have a few months of savings in the bank. You may still need to tighten your belt a little, though. A detailed budget to figure out exactly how much you need to live on can be helpful at times like these. Of course, any emergency situations, like a burst pipe or broken window, can seriously impact your finances.

If you’re not able to work because you are unwell or injured, you may be struggling with the emotional impact of this as well. Injuries are often painful and can prevent you from sleeping well at night. This means they take even longer to heal so you may need to undertake some special exercises and treatment. Of course, this costs money, so you might ask a lawyer “have I got a no win no fee claim?” If you have, you can choose to proceed with this and seek to pursue a payout for the extra help you need.

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While you’re off work and trying not to spend too much money, try to keep your mind stimulated. You might welcome the extra time at home with your children. Become a supermum and enjoy all those moments you usually miss because you’re at work. You can experiment with new foods, learn to do new things like riding a scooter, or baking cookies. Both of you can spend those valuable hours reading books together and making the most of the quality time you have.

Of course, many of us are just stuck at home alone when we’re off work. It’s boring and can become quite isolating. Why not pick up old hobbies or start new ones? It’s important to keep yourself stimulated mentally. Challenge yourself to learn something new. You could take an online course, or learn to play a musical instrument. Make the most of each hour you have to yourself and indulge in a little pampering.

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If you have the time, why not spend it at the gym or sports centre? This can be a good way to build your confidence as well, especially when you’re job hunting all day every day. It’s also a good place to meet other people, so you don’t feel quite so isolated. Pick fun activities and classes that you know will do you good both mentally and physically. And a physical workout can feel just like work sometimes!

While many of us would love a few days off, not working at all can be boring and quite unpleasant. It can knock your confidence and leave you socially isolated. It’s still important to enjoy this time but put it to good use too. Give yourself a boost until you’re back on your feet.

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