Unemployment is rough! After finishing my MBA last fall and dissolving my not-so-successful event planning business, I decided to start looking for a job. I’ve submitted countless resumes, wrote and re-wrote cover letters, hired two career coaches, went on numerous informational interviews, and flat out stalked strangers on LinkedIn. I’ve met some interesting people, but as far as landing a job – NOTHING. There were days when I just couldn’t get out of bed. There was also a day when I watched reruns of The Kardashians for twelve hours. Sure, there was severe self-loathing after, but it was a temporary sedative. I just couldn’t turn it off.

Despite all of the ghastly unemployment reports, all of my friends had jobs. They had a place to go to in the morning, things to accomplish. They had office politics to keep them busy during down time. The world, it seemed, was carrying on without me. How sad.

One fine day though, I woke up feeling cautiously optimistic. I say cautiously because optimism doesn’t last very long when you’re unemployed. It can turn on you at any moment and become complete and utter pessimism. So I tiptoed around the apartment, had coffee, watched NY1 Weather on-the-1s for three cycles. Still feeling good. Strange.

It was a beautiful day and I started thinking about all of the things that I wanted to do and never had time for, when I was in school or working. I made a list. I will call it:

Unemployment Business Plan

1. Volunteer with Dress for Success

2. Visit museums

3. Read more for pleasure

4. Take a yoga class

5. Study French

6. Join Toastmasters

7. Use my kitchen

A list with ten things looks better, I know, but mine had seven.

So, first thing’s first. I got in touch with Dress for Success and was able to attend a volunteer orientation the following week, and soon after, became a career counselor on the Tuesday morning shift. Helping disadvantaged women with their professional development—resume, cover letter writing and interviewing skills—has been a great experience. Most of the women that turn to Dress for Success for help have been dealt a pretty rough deck of cards and they’re so appreciative for the assistance we’re able to provide. I share a shift with three other amazing volunteers and the bond that we’ve formed over the last few months has been very special. It has also led to some nice networking opportunities. I now look forward to Tuesday mornings and plan to continue volunteering even when I finally find that full-time job. DFS has plenty of activities in the evenings and on Saturdays. Very cool.

There is no shortage of museums in NYC. Besides MoMA, the Met, Whitney and Guggenheim, there are plenty of other very unique places to visit. There is the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side, The Mount Vernon Hotel Museum (above) on the Upper East Side, Museum of Sex, Museum for African Art, Japan Society, and the Neue Gallery. The list is endless. But, since unemployment is tough on the wallet, my priorities are with places most sympathetic to my situation. Here is a nice start, http://www.ny.com/museums/free.html .

As for the reading. This process definitely needs some fine-tuning as I’m involved with three books simultaneously. This is my fifth try to actually finish War and Peace, and I’m proud to be a third of the way through the book—the farthest along so far. In an attempt to find my inner Zen, and on a recommendation from a Buddhist friend, I started reading Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Oprah is right, this book is life-altering if only for five minutes after I set it down. I’m also a quarter through The Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain—a great book for those of us trying to cut back on eating out at restaurants. Since this is a good time to cut back on unnecessary expenses, I got a library card. I can’t believe how nice and accommodating the librarians are—if they don’t have a particular book at the branch, they can actually order it from another location. What great public service!

Vinyasa yoga is good. As luck would have it, a yoga studio moved into my building, offering free classes to residents. Nothing this awesome has ever happened to me. I’m not into the chanting, bowing down, or dedicating my yoga practice to others. In fact, what does that even mean? But, I do know that as I move through vinyasa, chaturanga and onto the downward facing dog, my body is getting toned as hell. There is actual sweat. According to the yoga calorie count calculator (www.everydayhealth.com/Calories-Burned-Yoga.htm), one can burn 650 calories in a one and a half hour vinyasa class. I like.

French. The Rosetta Stone CDs that my friend kindly burnt for me are collecting dust. Clearly, this area of the plan needs some serious attention.

Toastmasters is an organization that helps people develop public speaking and leadership skills, and I need help in both departments. But who wants to put themselves through voluntary torture of preparing and giving speeches? Not me.This is why I put this off for the last five years. Now, lacking any good excuses, I looked up a nearest chapter and was totally surprised to find that there are over 100 clubs within a ten-mile radius of my place. Clubs meet at different days and times so everyone can find one that best suits the schedule, http://www.toastmasters.org. I visited the City Hall chapter and immediately liked the group. I’m now on my fourth speech, well on my way to becoming a better communicator. Hopefully.

Until now, I’ve had the Carrie Bradshaw approach to the oven/stove area—it’s an excellent place to store sweaters. The last time I tried to boil an egg, the white stuff started coming out through the cracks and it looked like a mini-Chernobyl explosion in the pot. But eating out and ordering in is costly.Luckily, there is Trader Joe’s—a perfect solution for those who fear handling multiple ingredients over a hot stove.

Mushroom Risotto: Empty contents of the package onto a hot pan and heat for 8 minutes (or so).

Chicken: Rub some salt and pepper and throw the chicken (picatta pieces) onto a pan and cook thoroughly for 10 minutes (or so).

Vegetable Fried Rice: Empty contents of the package onto a hot pan and heat for 8 minutes (or so).

Salad: Cut up an avocado, cherry tomatoes (split in half), cucumber (don’t peel – all the nutrients are in the skin), and some red onion. Throw in some salt and a little bit of olive oil.

Guilt Free brownies: Combine brownie mix with some fat free vanilla yogurt and bake on 350 for 25 minutes.

Bon Appetit!

I’m no Julie Child (yet), but I will cook my way through Trader Joe’s!

Eventually I will get a job, which I will hold onto for dear life. Until then though, this is my time, and between all the resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn stalking, I will make the most out of my Unemployment Business Plan. The Kardashians will still be there.