advice from ms lip: in limbo

Dear Ms Lip,
I recently had to quit my job (the owners were abusive) and as uni doesn’t return til next March I am stuck in this weird unemployed, no uni limbo. I feel pretty down on myself and am not enjoying my time as much as I should. I worry about money and feel scared. I’m trying to stay positive because I know it’s not the end of the world but everything just seems uncertain. What should I do?

Dear Uncertain,
First of all, congratulations on quitting your job! This definitely deserves some reflection and it tells me some things about you: you don’t put up with bullshit and you get out of bad situations! You are pursuing an education! You are smart! These are all amazing things about you, and you should be really proud of yourself.

But I understand why you’re feeling uncertain. Especially if you’ve gone straight from high school to uni, often that kind of structure is all we know, and not having routine can make you feel a bit shaky. If you can try to look at it as an opportunity though, there are a lot of things you can achieve over the next few months. Consider this a well-earned holiday, and use the time to do things for you. Maybe there’s something you’ve always wanted to learn? Like knitting, baking, printmaking, oil painting, or skateboarding? Get a head start on your uni work if you can, write down your dreams, go to the beach (armed with SPF 30 of course!), and spend time with the people you love. If money’s a problem, try to think up creative ways to put some $$ in your pocket – do you know anyone who needs housework done or whose kids you could babysit? Ask around, and remember that it’s not permanent and just something to get you by until something better comes along. If you keep trying new things, you’re more likely to find exciting opportunities.

I know that being unemployed can make you feel a little directionless, but you have an awesome university career waiting for you in March, and you can do anything you want in the meantime. If you’re feeling down, let yourself feel down for a little while, and I’m sure you’ll find yourself getting excited about some new job or hobby once you take the first couple of steps in trying to find something to keep you busy over the summer.

Years down the track when you’re stuck in a soul deadening job that is so stressful it gives you hives, you’ll look back at this time and wish you could relive it! Good luck!

Got something you want to get off your chest or do you need some advice? Ms Lip is here to answer anything and everything – nothing is too big or too small, and if she doesn’t know, she’ll find someone who does. Email [email protected]