It has become a cliché to advise someone to prioritize his or her self-development. I have been told this in a variety of contexts. Lonely and single? Work on self. Unhappy and not sure why? Work on self. Stuck in a rut? Work on self. Now it’s: unemployed? Work on self.
In reality no one has told me to do this in the context of unemployment. I would have rejected such advice if they had—on the grounds that unemployment is a structural problem more than an individual one—but I am nevertheless offering it now. It’s easy to miss the point of self-improvement and think that, by some type of voodoo-logic, you can influence external events in dramatic ways just by being positive or believing it to be so. This attitude is more akin to grandiosity and narcissism. Self-improvement requires humility and is not about influencing events but about building resilience so that you can cope with those events, especially those outside of your control. It might seem natural or even noble to blame yourself for the results of a systemic failure, such as the Great Recession that hampered millions of Millennials like me just as we were hitting the job market for the first time, because it’s reassuring to think that success is always possible if you work hard enough—but this is not the case. As the college admissions scandal demonstrates, you could work your ass off and still lose your spot in the next freshman class to a rich kid with unscrupulous parents. Working hard matters, but it’s not everything. It’s not even the most important indicator of success.
Thus, in the context of unemployment, it is necessary to strengthen your inner resources in order to endure uncertainty, disappointment, and even despair over the long haul. This might require seeing a therapist but does not have to—I have found that you can practice cognitive behavioral therapy as an individual by monitoring your feelings, talking yourself out of crises, and developing healthy coping mechanisms. This can involve writing every day, getting a massage, or meditating. It can also involve exercising, dancing, or a myriad of other physical activities that can be as healthy for the mind as the body.
Working on self can also mean more practical considerations like getting that yearly physical you were often too busy to bother with while working. If you’re unemployed and have medicaid or some other insurance, it’s wise to take advantage and ensure that you return to work in the best condition possible. Also, be sure to budget your money and cut costs wherever you can.
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You don’t have control of the labor market, but you do have control of how you manage your health, your resources, and your time. Never forget it.
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Matthew Johnson is a writer, editor, and UX designer. He has published numerous academic articles, op-eds, and sponsored posts. He is co-author of the 2018 book Trumpism: The Politics of Gender in a Post-Propitious America. He has also served as an educator in a variety of contexts.
In reality no one has told me to do this in the context of unemployment. I would have rejected such advice if they had—on the grounds that unemployment is a structural problem more than an individual one—but I am nevertheless offering it now. It’s easy to miss the point of self-improvement and think that, by some type of voodoo-logic, you can influence external events in dramatic ways just by being positive or believing it to be so. This attitude is more akin to grandiosity and narcissism. Self-improvement requires humility and is not about influencing events but about building resilience so that you can cope with those events, especially those outside of your control. It might seem natural or even noble to blame yourself for the results of a systemic failure, such as the Great Recession that hampered millions of Millennials like me just as we were hitting the job market for the first time, because it’s reassuring to think that success is always possible if you work hard enough—but this is not the case. As the college admissions scandal demonstrates, you could work your ass off and still lose your spot in the next freshman class to a rich kid with unscrupulous parents. Working hard matters, but it’s not everything. It’s not even the most important indicator of success.
