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Today’s guest post comes from one of my favorite bloggers – Caroline!  I hope you enjoy it

Hey there SYTS readers!  I’ve been reading and loving Maggie’s blog for a while- and not only for our shared love of food, yoga and cats   More recently, I can relate to Maggie’s quest for pursuing a career that incorporates her passion, rather than just producing a paycheck.

After graduating in May, I returned home to find myself stuck in the horrendous cycle of job hunting, at a very inopportune moment in history! My life has always been non-stop with activities, school, friends and volunteering, that not being busy is so hard.  I try to keep a positive outlook, but I can’t help but feel so discouraged.  I’ve sent out tons of resumes, gone on interviews, job fairs, etc., but it’s just not happening.

A lot of my friends say, “Oh, you’re so lucky!  You don’t have to work you can just lounge around all day!”  But that is not at all what I want to be doing.  I know a lot of people take time off after graduation, but its hard when it’s not intentional time-off.  The job hunt gets old pretty fast, especially because I don’t have much work experience to put on my resume, so I can’t get hired, therefore I can’t gain the work experience that employers want!?  *exasperated sigh here* 

This year, I’ve been pondering my intentions for 2009…which I hope will harmonize with my personal, emotional and mental well-being.  My life, especially at this transitional point, is constantly changing and adapting- so for me personally, I intend to be flexible, responsible and patient with whatever God brings into my life.

I had a great year, graduated from college!, and grew a lot as a mature woman, I have so much for which to be thankful.  This is such a new chapter for me…and for the first time in my life, I really don’t know what I am supposed to do, and no one but me can decide the next step.  For the last 21 years, I studied hard and got good grades so I could go to college, I did well in college so I could get a great job….and who knew it wouldn’t happen?  Life threw me a curve-ball.  I’m completely overwhelmed at the possibilities I have, yet a little excited.

Whatever I do, I know this year will be filled with verbs- I’m going to search, travel, job-hunt, dance, play, read, talk, laugh, work, relax….and PRAY!!  My newly-revised plan is to continue taking science courses at my local community college- which will hopefully lead to a career in Nursing.   I came up with a list of some activities that you can do to maintain your health, happiness, sanity and self during times of uncertainty or just plain stress!…

• Dance!- turn on the radio, your iPod, and just let loose for a few, you can’t help but laugh!
• Volunteer at church, a local Big Brother/Sister program, soup kitchen or homeless shelter
• Get certified in a field of interest: fitness, yoga, pilates, software, technology, engineering
• Find a new read- no need to spend $$!!  The local library is stocked with tons of best sellers!
• Play- go to the park, grab a Frisbee, football, neighbor’s dog (?) and be a kid again!
• Start a blog! (better yet…start one about the industry or field that interests YOU!)
• Volunteer in your industry of choice- This is a great way to get some experience to put on your resume
• Start your own company- can’t find anything that fits your bill?  Start it yourself!
• Talk- to everyone!  Talk about yourself, what you’re doing, what you want to do…you can never have too many connections!

All I can do right now is continue working hard, and doing the little things every day that will help me achieve long-term goals.  I just keep reminding myself that this awkward period is just temporary, and things will fall into place.  I will keep doing the things that benefit my mind and emotional well-being.  I wish you the best of luck!

“Life is a succession of moments. To live each one is to succeed” – Corita Kent

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