May Flowers: Lean into Possibility
I started the year offering encouragement - to myself, to you, and to others who might be searching for their next role OR figuring out how to follow their passion OR otherwise working to reach an important goal - and listing ways to care for ourselves while navigating an uncertain path.
For Mental Health Awareness Month**, I'm back to share my personal update and testimony about finding employment (yay!) and the power of possibility.
I hope that we continue to be encouraged, to keep going, AND to take moments to celebrate what we have achieved along the way, whether or not we've reached our ultimate goals.
**scroll to the end of the article for a resource list
Belief in Action
As shared here and elsewhere, my word for Winter 2023-2024 was to BELIEVE: in myself, my talents, and my abilities to learn, to grow, and to execute. I identified lack of belief as a critical mental piece that had gone missing and that was hindering me from reaching my goals.
On the topics of goal-setting and success, innumerable people write about the concepts of:
I can attest to the fact that all of the above have been critical and helpful for me in my job search journey. However, I found that BELIEVING for me wasn't just a[n often exhausting] mental exercise: it required me to pour my energy into activities and actions IRL.
In full transparency, the weight of so much to do and try and see and balance and muster and enjoy - all while conducting a job search, persisting through rejection, and regular adulting - became heavy and at times overwhelming.
Winter 2023-24 was productive and yielded two job offers by the spring. But the process definitely took a toll on my mental health, notwithstanding all that I did to remain positive & hopeful, and to mitigate any negative effects.
In talking with others over the past months who have been going through the job search process, I learned that I was not alone in this experience. Still others, who may not have been searching for a job, also expressed their stresses, conflicts, and concerns stemming from a current work situation.
So: is looking for and engaging in paid work or entrepreneurial efforts in-lieu destined to be anything other than a headache?
Employment and Mental Health
For most of us who are not independently wealthy, employment's main attraction boils down to: the traditional exchange of $$$$$ and benefits on a recurring schedule (from the employer) for a skillset or tasks that we (as employees) complete on a regular basis.
While some of us don't wish to be defined by our paid work, there can still be upsides to working for pay, including:
Working has so much to offer, but it can simultaneously be a stressor and impact our mental health in ways that conflict with, dilute, or even negate the positives.
Protect Your Mental Health
Whether you manage a mental health condition like I do, or simply want to ensure that your mental health and wellness stays on track, it is important to consider ways you can stay mentally healthy and promote or advocate for your mental health and wellness in all environments, including your workplace. Some helpful information is linked at the very end of this article (**scroll down, please**).
Embrace Possibility
Finally - I want to share my success with all of you and to thank this community for being so supportive. Whether you have been on a lengthy job search journey OR you are only just starting out - it can be hard as HELL!
For those who are looking to pivot out of a career that has run its course OR to move into an employment situation that is simultaneously professionally fulfilling, psychologically safe, and supportive of your mental health, I urge you to remain encouraged.
Don't be afraid to:
WHATEVER YOU DESIRE OR PRIORITIZE IN YOUR JOB SEARCH IS POSSIBLE.
April showers brought May flowers for me. My word for Spring 2024 is: JOY.
I hope and pray that in this or a future season you can celebrate your wins and abundant harvest, too. Be well.
Mental Health & Mental Wellness
Mental Health at Work
Mental Health Conditions
Startups Need Rapid Growth, Not Just Digital Impressions. We Help Create Omni-Channel Digital Strategies for Real Business Growth.
9 个月Love this! Job searching can be tough, but embracing the possibilities ahead is key. Can't wait to read your personal update and learn from your experiences. It's so important to have resources and tips to navigate this journey, especially when it comes to maintaining mental health balance. Thanks for sharing your insights and helping others on their job search path!