How do you stay upbeat in an economic downturn?

Well.
I figured I should write this disclaimer beforehand.
The reasons behind this blog are quite selfish.
This is more of a cathartic exercise for myself. 'Better out than in' I believe the saying is.

So I know I'm not the only one caught up in the midst of this climate of redundancies and fear for the future, but It can feel very personal at times.

Anybody out there signing on?

Not the best experience is it? You feel patronised by the adviser who questions you for being a minute late like your mum would when you get in after school, or having to carry the grey signing on book around with you like you're going to the bookies straight after.
Not cool right?

Now imagine that 2months prior you were on the other side of the desk as an adviser.
Irony of irony's I hear you scoffing wryly, and it is kinda funny, but there it is, that's where I was, and this is where I am now!

[Sidebar - I was at a function, and a female said to me "So what do you do?" I said "I'm unemployed, but I used to work in the jobcentre"
So she retorted "Well surely you could've got yourself a job"........oh if Tigerknee's were socially acceptable...sigh *disappointedface*]
[Further sidebar - GBH or ABH are neither correct or legal in a caught of law]

So back to the initial question, how do you stay upbeat in an economic downturn?

Answer?
Darned if I know!
Honestly I don't believe you can be upbeat 100% of the time, that's not realistic is it. We humans are emotional creatures, we laugh, we cry, we kiss our teeth at black families on Eastenders, but we are never the same all of the time.
We all have days when we're brimming over with confidence.
You wake up feeling like 'Yeah, today's MY DAY', 'This job's got me all over it, i'm a shoe in'.

Then you wake up on other days, open the curtains and there's no sun, you get three rejection emails, you start wondering why no one responds to your applications, do I have anything to offer employers that 72 others don't havex12? And are cynical when your nearest and dearest tell you 'Don't worry, this isn't forever, something will give'.
WHEN? Might be what you feel like asking. In fact I asked that today. Frustration is a.....

So I suppose it's about finding balance.
Filling the void.
Maybe the problem lies in what you do to occupy your time.

If the answer is:

A. Nothing
B. Watch Jeremy Kyle/Jerry Springer/Judge Judy
C. Exasperate at how everyone else is doing so much better than you, and ask God why me.....

THEN YOU'RE WASTING YOUR TIME.

A. Do something.
Go and wash. Educate yourself/learn a language. Update your skills. Give back to the community. Go visit your nan/granddad. Hit the gym, go hard or go home/get hench or cry trying/shut up and train etc.
B. Don't depress yourself further by watching other low achievers disgrace themselves because they wanted a free paternity test/stay in Premier Inn Manchester Central/a public way to burst out of the closet.
C. Everybody else ISN'T YOU, so any such comparisons are only going to leave you feeling worse, and depending on the individual that can lead to all sorts......CHOOSE LIFE PEOPLE, have a green tea maybe.
Everybody has a purpose, and though it may not be apparent at the moment, it will be revealed eventually [SIDE BAR - check this book out In The Pursuit of Purpose by Myles Munroe].

Now, have a look at this, it's my first blog:
http://theroadtomanhood-forgingyourownpath.blogspot.com/

I wrote this because a friend of mine was in a similar position to where I am now, and I didn't know how best to manifest my support to him.
Whether or not it helped the friend isn't so important, however what is, is that the friend struggled, faced some ups and downs and is now in a place that at lows points couldn't see.

If you are of any particular faith I don't need to tell you that you will more than likely find some comfort/the answer, in your holy book.

Here are some examples from the book I'm familiar with:

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Proverbs 24:10

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

Philippians 4:12-13

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - thanks for that one Aba!

For more see:
http://www.openbible.info/topics/adversity

So I suppose all of this advice Is easier said than done?
Yeah maybe.
And Lord knows I found this easier to write than to hear from somebody else, but It's all pretty straightforward I think.

Do you! Have faith and confidence in your abilities. It probably will all turn around for you, but if it doesn't, revert to your plan b/c/d/e/f (you do have a one of those, right?).
But most importantly, remember, if you're reading this that it means You are not alone.
MJ done told you, weren't you listening? I AM HERE WITH YOU!!!

And that sentiment should be a basis for you trying something different to change your situation.
I think the 'when' part is the hardest. But it will change.....right?

'God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference'.

Shout out to the people that keep me above the water, you know who you are because I talk to you all daily.
More to come....