Whether you’re scrolling online, talking to another person, or actively looking for a job, you’ve probably learned that the job market isn’t looking too good right now. For many people, this is incredibly disheartening news. Although a job is necessary for an income and survival purposes, for some people a job is more than that. I remember learning and hearing from others in my career counselling course that a job allows for connection with others (social fulfilment), provides structure in everyday life, keeps you busy/distracted, and makes you feel accomplished because you’re contributing to society (self fulfilment). Every job I had has always taught me something new, and it makes me sad to think that many teenagers and young adults are unable to gain that variety of experience, or even get their first job.
The world has been in a decline since 2020, and many predict a recession will be upon us. If you’ve been online, scrolling on social media platforms, I’m sure it is hard to forget which direction the world is going in. With that being said, I don’t know what the world has in store for us, but I do want to remind you that not everything has to be out of your control.
I know it is easier said than done to focus on the things you can do when the world around you constantly reminds you that you’re helpless. For starters, remember you can develop your skills, build a routine, and gain social interactions from volunteer positions. Local charities, clubs at school, and community events are always looking for people to help out, and you never know what transferable skills you’ll learn from volunteering! There’s also that sliver of a chance you might catch the eye of a recruiter who sees your dedication and skills. When you’re volunteering, you’re still putting yourself out there to be seen and you might even come across an internal posting you wouldn’t have found otherwise. I am a firm believer that one volunteer position can possibly open doors for paid positions in your future even if it requires some free labour in the beginning.
Another thing that isn’t out of your control is how you take care of yourself. It’s easy to forget that you can take care of yourself when you’re stressing about applying for jobs and constantly checking your emails to see if you hear back from recruiters, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Set reminders throughout the day to do something you like, or even set aside chunks of your day when you do not focus on job applications or your email. I’d even go as far as to say do not doom-scroll or even dare to open your social media accounts during those times too, because hearing about others’ struggles is the last thing you need when you’re trying to take care of yourself. Go for a walk, try a new cookie recipe, call a friend to talk about a new hockey game, knit a scarf, write a blog, but please do something that doesn’t remind you about your current situation or powerlessness. Don’t get me wrong though; it’s okay to feel pissed off with everything going on. However, restructure those negative thoughts you might have about yourself and show yourself some self-compassion when you think/talk about yourself.
You aren’t lazy.
You aren’t inexperienced.
You aren’t a failure.
Ruminating isn’t always productive. They say “life is what you make of it” for a reason. So, take care of yourself and focus on what you CAN do.
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Note: The Free Your Mind Mental Health Society is an independent youth-led organization. The contents of this blog are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In the event of a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 911 or other local emergency numbers immediately.