Working Stiffs: The Sunny Side of Being Jobless

Stability is soooo overrated. Who really enjoys having a steady, regular paycheck, anyway? I mean savings accounts? Ha! Lame-o! (Insert crying on the floor here.)

OK fine, I admit I often envy the consistently employed. No one forced me into the freelance life—I willingly chose to be a writer / actor / comedian / starving artist (read: constantly broke)—and while hopping from gig to gig with total uncertainty of how much (or how little) money I will make that month can be super stressful, for now, at least, I embrace the positive side of living the moderately-employed, constantly-job-hunting life of a creative professional.

"So, Giulia, you embrace constant panic attacks over your inability to pay your cable bill?" an imaginary interviewer asks.

No, not that part of the gig-to-gig lifestyle. But I do embrace the resourcefulness used by creative people to make money during times of financial lows. I embrace the adventure that every new gig provides. And I really embrace those big breaks when a fun, fulfilling, and financially fabulous job lands in my lap.

It's not easy, but staying positive during periods of unemployment is key to attracting more (and hopefully more lucrative) opportunities into your life. So if you are currently out of work and feeling out of control, here are just a few things we creative types keep in mind, which will hopefully keep you from going crazy:

JUST DO IT
I know some of you are probably sitting on your sofa, in your pajamas, eating your roommate's leftovers while you scour the "Etc" job section on Craigslist again, cursing my happy-go-lucky outlook at being unemployed. Look, I've spent my fair share of days lamenting over my lack of income, too, but then I realized that complaining, self-pity, jealousy, and spite don't pay my rent. If the universe forces me into a jobless two week rut, then I need to see those two weeks as free time dedicated to completing unfinished creative projects and honing my craft. I can’t tell you the number of friends in my life who have recently lost their jobs and are using their unemployed days to get cracking on that screenplay or to finally start that small business plan. Take steps to take control of your future and you'll be positively surviving unemployment—and won't be jobless for long.

USE YOUR TIME WISELY
Don't treat unemployment as a permanent vacation. It's fine if you take a day or two to have afternoon cocktails on your deck and work on your tan, but keep it to just a few days! Being unproductive for too long will just make you depressed. Treat your time between jobs as a gift—an opportunity to get done all the things you always wanted to get around to "when I have the time." I actually find that making a schedule helps make my unemployed time more structured, and who knows? Maybe one of those things you get done will be the thing that gets you paid! Like, maybe your poems about how depressing it is to be broke could get published in some online literary magazine, then read by some popular pop band, then they buy the poems to use as lyrics in what becomes their next hit song, and BOOM! You’ve just launched a songwriting career. Anything is possible, but only if you get your sober ass off the couch or the lounge chair.

GET CASH BY GETTING CRAFTY
Obviously, not everyone can afford to just wait for work to come their way. If you need cash quick, you may need to use your noggin not just for your creative projects but also for a payday. Perhaps this period of unemployment was meant to be so that you finally clean out that closet and finally sell your collection of ceramic unicorns on eBay. Not only will cleaning out your junk perhaps provide some quick cash if you can sell some sh*t, um, errr I mean lovely items, but de-cuttering your home will help de-clutter your brain—making room for all those brilliant ideas to bloom. Mess creates stress, so how could you possibly complete your operetta when your kitchen table is tumbling over with magazines dating back to 1992? (Seriously, just toss out that old Tiger Beat, unless of course you really need to keep making out with a pin-up of Jordon Knight. If that’s the case then, well, I can see why no one is hiring you).

Go through your clothes, books, electronics, knick-knacks, and see what you could possibly sell either online via sites like eBay, Amazon.com, Craigslist or even posting items on your Facebook page. Bring items to an exchange store, like Beacon's Closet in New York City, where you can get cash for clothes, or have a good ol' fashioned yard sale (for you city dwellers, a stoop sale). If you're an artist or have a hobby craft, try starting a shop on Etsy.com. Of course, you always donate old items to places like Goodwill, and who knows? That good karma just might lead the universe to bring you a future paycheck. If you don't want to sell your stuff for easy money, or don't have stuff to sell, there are lots of other ways to make some dough—like participating in market research studies, starting a service-based business (dog walking, house cleaning, babysitting, etc) through online marketplaces like Care.com or Angie's List, or become a secret shopper.

Check out these "25 Ways to Make Quick Money Now from AOL" for more ideas.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Repeat after me: Everyone is struggling right now. Even rich and famous celebrities are unstable. Most actors, writers, directors, and high-profile celebutants are also living from gig to gig, many with periods of no work at all. So even when you do get to the "top," the "top" may not be secure, either. Just keep reminding yourself to keep yourself out there, do good work, and you will be rewarded. While you’re waiting for those rewards, however, find solace in the company of others. Gather your financially-freaking-out friends and do something together! Here are just a handful of ideas:

Are you a writer?
Start a writers group where you and other writer friends can share ideas, works in progress, and gain inspiration from one another. Collaborate on bylines and share contacts for editors and publishers. You may just get something accepted, and half a paycheck is better than no paycheck at all!

Are you a performer?
Organize a workshop night at a coffee house, local bar, theatre, or even in your apartment where, once a month or once a week, you and your artsy acquaintances share new works in a supportive environment. You may even want to open up your workshop to the public to really build your network.

Are you fat or out of shape?
Gather your pals for a running club or host exercise hours at your home where everyday or every week a different person gets a fitness video and invites the group over to workout together. You’ll save on gyms fees and have fun with your friends! Check out Christine Koh's recent article "Goodbye Gym, Hello Exercise On-Demand" for more free and low-cost workout ideas.

Are you dying to learn something new, but can't afford classes right now?
Or maybe you need a service done, but are scrambling to hire someone? Send out an email to a group of friends and ask everyone to share their skills or services and create a network of resources around which you and your friends can trade and barter. Maybe you can teach your friend piano if they feed your cat? Or your friend can teach you how to cook if you cut their hair? The possibilities are endless. Check out Matt Chapuran's recent article "Bartering 101" for more info.

TAKE CARE OF YOU
It's so easy to let your health go when you're depressed about your lack of gainful employment. You can't afford your gym. You find yourself buying cheaper (perhaps unhealthy) food. You’re losing sleep because you're sobbing over losing your annual bonus. Be sure to take care of yourself, because a healthy you is a productive you (and besides you can't exactly afford to see a doctor right now, can you?) Here are some tips for keeping yourself from becoming a pathetic slob:

Stay active.
Try the above group fitness idea (above). Setting a fitness goal is not only good for your health but can be good for your mind, taking the focus away from work and money stress and putting that focus on completing that half marathon or losing those stubborn 10 pounds.

Eat well.
Being on budget does not mean you have to settle for fast food. You can cook plenty of healthy and inexpensive meals at home. And be sure to clip coupons, look for specials, and only buy what you need. Expand your network by joining a farm share or food co-op and save money on fruits and veggies at the same time.

Breathe.
This recession may be the perfect time to start your meditation and yoga practice—I mean, hey, you've got the time, right? Meditation and yoga will help keep you calm and balanced. Not only will you feel good, but you'll be able to better focus on your projects and goals, which can only help your bank account.