   The time between jobs.
  Currently I’m experiencing my first downtime between leaving a job and finding a new one. It’s a tough experience to say the least, especially when you dedicate a hefty amount of time to updating your portfolio to try and take your craft to the next level.I’ve been unemployed for about 3 ½ months now and from the start of this week it’s starting to get to me. The anxiety of eating through savings and waiting on e-mails to hear back from applications to studios isn’t something I’d want many people to experience.I don't feel that I've been sitting on my laurels, I've done tones in the last 3 1/2 months, design work I've been proud to do! but it is none-the-less portfolio work. I’ve just sent off my first wave of resumes out to a few companies and I know it’s realistic to expect that it's going to be a number of more months before I’m working at a studio again.I was curious if anyone else in this community has ever dealt with unemployment that’s lasted a few months, how you approached it and kept your determination high when things are uncertain?[Edited by - DesignerWatts on May 20, 2009 8:47:30 AM]
  Keep busy!Last year I was laid off from my job and it was 3 months before I had a new one.  I was going crazy by the 2nd week with boredom.  To pass the time, I would go to a coffee shop almost every day and work on projects.   If personal projects aren't doing it for you, then I would suggest joining a group project - something to keep your mind active.  When you get an interview you want to be sharp and looking your best - weeks and weeks of inactivity spent sleeping till noon and playing games all day are not going to help.  If a group project isn't your thing then I would suggest learning something you've always wanted to learn.  If you are a designer, then maybe try to learn some programming.  If you program, maybe try your hand at creating some 3d art.  Etc..Exercise!  It is a great way to relieve stress and you will feel and look better.  And since you have extra free time now, there really is no excuse...This is what works for me, anyways.   ;Quote:Original post by DesignerWattsI don't feel that I've been sitting on my lollels...I'm sorry, this is off topic, but your what?;Quote:Original post by capn_midnightQuote:Original post by DesignerWattsI don't feel that I've been sitting on my lollels...I'm sorry, this is off topic, but your what?I meant Laurels. :)Good catch. Thanks.   ;  I think the op meant something similar to "resting on your laurels"at least that's how I read it loledit: u beat me to it   ;Quote:Original post by scottrick49Keep busy!Last year I was laid off from my job and it was 3 months before I had a new one.  I was going crazy by the 2nd week with boredom.  To pass the time, I would go to a coffee shop almost every day and work on projects.   If personal projects aren't doing it for you, then I would suggest joining a group project - something to keep your mind active.  When you get an interview you want to be sharp and looking your best - weeks and weeks of inactivity spent sleeping till noon and playing games all day are not going to help.  If a group project isn't your thing then I would suggest learning something you've always wanted to learn.  If you are a designer, then maybe try to learn some programming.  If you program, maybe try your hand at creating some 3d art.  Etc..Exercise!  It is a great way to relieve stress and you will feel and look better.  And since you have extra free time now, there really is no excuse...This is what works for me, anyways.I'm currently engaged in a game prototyping project and leading it. So that keeps me busy most of the time. But you need to do more then one thing or that one thing starts to grind I've found. :)Exercise is a great piece of advice as well. I really need to invest more time into that.Thanks for your advice! It's helpful. :)