It's a bit ironic that I just recently posted about how to become a copywriter, because I've recently lost my job as a copywriter.
I hope you don't mind if I just ramble on some thoughts about all of this, because that's what today's post is going to be.
A few weeks ago, I was terminated from my copywriting position without being given a reason why. It's hard to describe the impact that sort of moment has on a person. Not only was that my source of much-needed income (student loan debt and house payments are insane nowadays), but it was also a primary source for socializing and provided the foundation for my daily routine. All of that was taken away from me in the blink of an eye, and I'm left only to speculate as to why.
But that's all in the past now, and dwelling on it will do me no good. It's time to look to the future. This is an opportunity. I can look for a job that suits me better, and in the meantime I can be the best damn "House Husband" for my wife while using all this extra free time to work on my most beloved craft of creative fiction writing. After all, I am annoyingly optimistic.
As the weeks have slowly crept by, I haven't really gotten over the pain of being let go from the job I truly enjoyed, but I have adapted as best as I can thanks to the much-valued human survival tactic known as complacency. I've taken this opportunity to finish catching up on True Detective and continue churning through episodes of Fringe, watch movies I've long wanted to see but not gotten around to (Top Gun being noteworthy for being the silliest brofest movie I've ever seen), do housework so that my wife and I can relax more when we're together on the weekends, and of course write the second draft of my first novel.
On the flip-side, it's hard to deal with the constant feeling of failure. Even with my years of professional experience, most job postings in my area for writers ask for qualifications that are just barely out of my reach. I'm constantly being reminded by job sites that I'm just not quite good enough. I apply anyway, because you never know what they'll say, but it feels like grasping at straws.
The worst moment is when I got an email alert about a job posting that perfectly met my qualifications, only to realize that it was a job posting through a staffing agency to find my own replacement.
I don't know how I'd get through all of this without the support from my friends, family, and my own insane sense of optimism that this will all just be a bad memory someday.
I should probably note that I've had a few interviews - and in fact have a follow-up interview later today - but I try to manage my excitement for such opportunities because I know that I'm not the only one in need of and qualified for any given position. There are no promises until an offer is made.
Anyway, that's really all I've got to say. Unemployment sucks, and I really miss my job and the people there, but I've got to move forward and strive to do better. I don't really have an ending to this post, because this situation is still ongoing. Who knows, maybe I'll have a job as early as next week - a present for my two year marriage anniversary.
-Ryan
