Lost my job after 10 years..now i feel so lost,any advice?

[lorraine928]

 I am a widow of 3 children and lost my job last year and lost my husband 2 years before that, now i feel so empty and lost im not sure how to regain the strength to pick myself up on the right track agian. Im trying to stay strong minded for my children but the truth is, im sooo scared of how i will ever be able to provide once my unemployment runs out and I have no babysitter. I need some good realistic,helpful advice. thanx.

[kalbury]

in my opinion it would be a good idea to take up a hobby, if you like drawing or painting go buy some canvas's and paint your masterpiece. if you like reading buy some books that would interest you and get into a book. if you have always wanted to get on the musical side take some lessons or join a choir. or you can go back to school and get a degree 

[lorraine928]

Thanx for the advice...I just cant seem to motivate myself..I start things then never keep it up as if my interest in things just deminish. I know i probablly should seek a doctors advice but i really dont want to be put on depression medication since the last one i tried just made things worse. Wish i had a magic wand that would just get me back to my normal self agian. Im 29 and i feel like its too late for me to go back to school. 

[tjung10]

You keep your head up....It's not to late for you to go back to school....Maybe an online course or something!
Just remember to keep moving forward!!!

[CHANEYLAKEGIRL]

Keep your head up. Instead of looking at this as the end of something, look at it as the beginning of something. A new opportunity, a chance to try a new occupation or similar work for a different company. Sometimes, the things that seem the worst can be the best thing that happened to you. Be sure to look into food stamps or other types of aid in your area. You may not want to accept help, but don't be afraid to for the sake of your children.

Sending positive thoughts your way. 

[ejholt]

There are ways to makeing money.  I use to make coconut cakes and sell them.  I charged $15 and made $10 profit on each one.   I had yard sales and sit up at flea markets to make extra money.  You can charge someone money for doing their shopping for them.  There is a number of ways to make a little money to help you out.  I use to do crafts and set up at craft shows.

[dreamyxo]

I'm sorry about that.  Don't take it personally it happens to all of us but you have the added stress of having three kids to take care and that can be extra stressful.  I was laid off from my job of 7 years, years ago and I will tell you for me it was a blessing in disguise.  I hated that job but I stuck with it because it was decent money and I had bills to pay.  Think about what it is that you've always wanted to do and do it.  In the mean time I suggest you register with temp agencies.  It's very flexible and you only take assignments that you want so you can schedule your work around your kids needs. 

[sommap]

Registering with temp agencies is good.  Instead of buying books, go to the library.  It is NEVER too late to go back to school.  If you are 29 now, you can say you will be 33 before you graduate, but look at it the other way.  If you go to school, you will be 33 and have a degree.  Instead of a four year degree, maybe look into night school and a two year associate degree.  If you have been off for a year, you could have been half way through the associates degree.

[ninajay]

Take this time to put your resume together, if you plan on working again, and post it to Monster and Careerbuilder and other job sites. Temp agencies are a good idea. Also, look into another career... go online and do a little research. Maybe take some classes or go to school to learn a new occupation. Whatever you do, don't get complacent because you have unemployment.

[masked_brown_guy]

im just gonna be straight with you because you seem old enough to handle some truth. Stop sobbing and get off your butt to do something about it. I do not have kids to support but we have all been "there". You can start by realizing the tools you already have available to you; the internet, your phone, the library. maybe you just want people to feel sorry for you, which probably makes you feel better, but pity doesn't solve real problems.

[jabkman]

try to get any job you can, do not set into depression because it is very hard to get yourself out

[mrisha]

im just gonna be straight with you because you seem old enough to handle some truth. Stop sobbing and get off your butt to do something about it. I do not have kids to support but we have all been "there". You can start by realizing the tools you already have available to you; the internet, your phone, the library. maybe you just want people to feel sorry for you, which probably makes you feel better, but pity doesn't solve real problems.

You are definitely not the person to go to for a little sympathy.  I guess you have never been in a situation where a little empathy was needed.  The lady is not feeling sorry for herself, she is feeling helpless because she has 3 children depending on her and she knows that the unemployment is not forever.  The problem is finding another way of making money to take care of her family.  She is not feeling sorry for herself.  She is scared because of this stupidd economy of not finding a job.

[smithjcsdfw]

My son in law just recently lost his job as well.  And I will give you the same advice I gave him.  Find yourself a good recruiter and let them find you a job.  They will go through everything it takes to get a job since it is in their best interest (how they get paid) to find you a job.

[PMZ908]

You can apply for Medicaid, if you have no real income or savings. Your kids would be covered too. If you have no income now, you should have no trouble qualifying, and stay positive.

[squirrelgirl44]

I lost my job last fall after 6.5 years. Applied for unemployment and even though we left on good terms they made stuff up about how we parted ways. I was lucky enough to get emergency unemployment, but I just got a notice in the mail today about a hearing next week.

Sucks. I've been out of work almost 5 months now. Longer than I have ever not worked since I was a teenager.