8 Things I Learned While Unemployed

I have always wanted to work. I distinctly remember being 14 and wishing for the day I could write "@ work" on my AIM away message. When I was 15 I got my first "job" babysitting. As soon as I was legally able, I got my first real job at 16, and I've been working ever since. Being a good employee always felt like an important part of who I was. I took pride in my work. I always wanted more; more hours, promotions, extra responsibilities. I'm no stranger to hard work, and that's why it was an interesting transition to spending 4 months without a job last year. I've finally made myself a useful part of society again, but a few things came to light during my time off.

1. I could probably watch TV 24/7 until the end of time.                      
Seriously, I love it. You'd think I would get sick of Netflix but...no.

2. I had no excuse to not work out.
No more I'm too tired or stressed from work. It was just me, myself and I, and I really couldn't think of any excuses (darn it).

3. I spent money on a lot of useless crap.
Watching my fun funds fast deplete, I realized how much I was spending money that I didn't need to. And I cut it out, quick. Online shopping is a dangerous world.

4. Waking up slow is the best.
Granted I've always known this, but when I had a job to get to, I popped out of bed at the first sound of my alarm. When I was unemployed...not so much. The snooze button is magic, my friends.

5. A job does not define our success.
I've defined myself by my work since I was 16. I only felt successful if I was working...a lot. Now I realize even without a job I'm still me. I'm still a good person. I'm still proud of who I am.

6. I'm really good at being alone.
Being unemployed has provided me with a LOT of free time, most of which I spend alone. Initially I thought I would go a little crazy, but it turns out I don't mind it one bit.

7. Savings accounts are important.
Little Trina was very smart. Instead of buying the newest fanciest gadgets with her paychecks, she deposited them into a savings account, and present Trina is very thankful for that. It is largely why I've been able to take months off of work without panicking. Enjoying the present is important but so is saving for the very unpredictable future.

8. It's what we do when we go home at the end of the day that really matters.
A job pays the bills, and if you're really lucky you might even enjoy it. But I've come to realize it's the passions outside of work that really matter. Even when I wasn't employed, I was still a writer, an artist, a musician, an avid reader. I studied french and fell in love with yoga. These are the things that I love to share with people. These are the things that make me who I am, not where I clock in or out.