So, my blog turns 1. Yes, it’s been a while since I wrote something (precisely 207 days) but you know how life is — work, sleep, eat, stress, finish house chores on a Sunday and the cycle repeats (plus I suffer from laziness syndrome).

The last time I wrote a blog, I was in Mumbai, and now I find myself in Bengaluru. Last time I was busy keeping my head together at my job, now I am trying to keep myself together while Finding a job. Times changed, city changed, job had changed, and finally I am jobless. So much for complaining about ‘too’ much work. The phrase ‘Be careful what you wish for’ is ringing in my ears now. Past six months have been really taxing – what with all the shifting, getting to know new people, settling into the new job (well that one didn’t last long!).

The Prime Minister’s decision to improve the fate of the economy only sealed it (for now I hope). Layoffs have gone up crazy and job opportunities are nowhere catching up to that rate!

I fell out of a comfortable situation and now I’m trying to adapt.

This phase/experience is not just a challenge but an opportunity that can give you peace and fulfilment — not only when you find work, but while you’re in the process of looking.

I realized how being jobless can be a mixed bag of feelings. Sometimes I enjoy sleeping late without having to worry about getting up for office. Sometimes I feel frustrated seeing my roommate going for work and me having nothing to do. Sometimes after chilling out at the movies and restaurants I suddenly realize I may run short of money. There is excitement for a job interview and there is resentment when the job is not for you. There is pride in refusing a job and there is discouragement when you are refused.

Having only heard of mass layoffs until now, I got the experience of being part of one. I guess I am getting wiser. After watching the tele-serial ‘Sai’ (my parents recommendation), I am trying to inculcate ‘Shradha and Saburi’ – Have faith and patience.

But this wasn’t just any other sob experience for me. What made the day ‘special’ was that I had just bought my first car the previous day. Still trying to figure out the lesson that God wants to teach me by making me buy a car and the next day taking away my job! Was it to shatter my ‘over’ confidence or to tell me that — with a car, I deserve a better job. Can’t stop laughing every time I think about it. I’m sure with time it will become clear.

The HR in very kind words told me that I need to entertain myself and not write about entertainment. In short, find new colleagues! Very well taken. I found entertainment and colleagues through Netflix. Binge watched a lot of shows in last one month of being at home (Trust me, it’s a stress buster).

Well, my company could not afford high quality people like me and many others, so they decided to replace us with cheaper ones. Turns out, just performing well, and giving kickass numbers for your website just isn’t enough nowadays. You’ve got to pray that your company is making good money.

If losing job is hard, what comes next is even harder – finding a new one. Because, after numerous rounds of interviews and negotiations, you finally get answers such as – ‘You are too senior for this post’. Thank you, but, hello, didn’t you read my CV before making me go through so much? And, I always thought HRs read the resumes before calling a candidate!

Being laid off is like being on vacation where all you want to do is — work again! It’s irony’s idea of a symphony, and boy doesn’t she play it sweet?

One could use this lay-off break to travel, learn something new etc. I did too. I tried my hands on learning how to ride a bike in 45 minutes (which I did very well) and decided to get a driving licence for it the very same day. Did I get it? Hell, No. I failed miserably. I fell off the bike while taking a U-Turn. (So much for leaving the RTO with a swag that a girl can ride!)

And after all this when I look at my friend’s pet dog, all I think is ‘I wish I was a dog’. Give me the dog life already! This reminds me of Diana. Not princess Diana but Priyanka Chopra’s dog Diana. She is living her life, I would say. She even got an International TV debut. Beat that!

Moral: No there is nothing poetic about losing a job or inspirational about finding a new one. The first sucks and the time and pain that you go through for the second sucks even more. Life tests your patience, and you have to pass it.

Until next time. Toodles!