Coping with a Jobless Spouse
During these uncertain times, job loss can affect anyone at anytime. With the global economy in shambles, we must all be prepared if and when this happens to us or our significant other. When this happens, here are suggested specific steps that can help both of you weather the hard times, save your relationship, and overcome the situation.
Learn to accept
Bad things happen. It is a fact of life that we all need to accept and the sooner we realize we can’t control the situation only our response to it the easier coping becomes. People who succeed in dealing with such instances more often than not accept that it has already happened and now focus on how to solve the problem. If this happens to your significant other, give him or her utmost understanding and show the willingness to help.
Be a beacon of light
Losing a job can be damaging for the self-esteem and can lead to a lot of self-doubt. Building up your spouse’s self-esteem is very important so that he/she can continue performing his/her duties and attending to a healthy personal life.
Let them announce to family and friends
Try not to preempt your spouse with regard to breaking the news or talking about the layoff to your friends and relatives. Going ahead without your spouse’s consent could be a cause for embarrassment and resentment.
Provide diversions
One of the things that drive people into depression after job loss is the availability of time to think it about it again and again. Try to provide for a lot of stuff to distract your spouse. Let’s say, ask for his or her help on problems in the office, or how to phrase policies on a memo. At any rate, their mind needs to be kept busy so as not to dwell on losing their job.
Count your blessings
Nothing beats the loss of something than knowing, counting and being grateful for what you still have. Sure the loss of a job is hard, but the family’s still intact, the kids are healthy, the plumbing is not busted, etc. Simple things that we normally don’t notice have a magical way of reminding us that life isn’t so bad.
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