I'm collecting unemployment after getting laid off from a job I hated- and I dont necessarily want to go back into that field but also I feel like I need a job and direction to do something with my life- but I have no idea what it should be.
I just find myself wasting my time by scrolling the Donald all day
NOT working with the responsibilty to be on time and focused on assigned tasks is debilitating to your mental state.
I should know. And I see it hapoen to others all the time.
I see below you have been helping your dad, and doing gym work of a sort- this is good, gets you out of the house and active.
But instead of treating that as Other act as if they are bridges- bridges to getting back into the workforce officially. Because you need to feel useful and productive or you will lose internal motivation and self esteem.
The advice on using this time to explore other jobs, to do lots of things as a temp employee to gain broader exposure, to get vocational training in what interests you, thesr are all good advice.
Odds are very good the political work would be unpaid or at best seasonal, though- unless you buckle under to the GOP amd estb model... which is pretty much the opposite of what this site and T supporters value.
I'm collecting 860 from unemployment after tax which is about 22$ an hour... would you take a job at a lower rate than that if it meant you could work?
Sorry so late replying.
Yes you should, for numerous reasons:
People need to feel useful, productive, valued members of society. Even hermit like tech nerds have a deep need to feel of value to the greater community.
A sense of purpose and routine is incredibly important to maintain both mental and physical health.
A sense of self respect is slowly lost the longer you just sit around getting govt funds- somewhere between 2 and 6 months it goes from earned safety net to sucking govt gibs internally for nearly all people. This also erodes your sense of confidence and feelings of having marketable skills.
And basically random or exploring different jobs is a real eye opener as to what REALLY suits you or will be interesting or fullfilling- often they are very different than imagined and a happy match is not where expected.
Finally, you have a golden opportunity to pursue a new field or skillset with initially lower pay- you are at home and buffered from the true terror of having to survive on UE or take less pay. Take advantage! Chase a dream or desired set of skills, open future doors.