Unemployed, but still fabulous!
Updated: Apr 15, 2025
Unemployment is hard and far from fabulous.
You can’t shop, you can’t eat out and you might be worried about where your next meal might be coming from, or how you will pay your bills. So, while unemployment isn’t fabulous, it doesn’t mean you can’t be fabulous while unemployed!
People will say that you should make sure the most important things are paid first, these could be your rent, council tax and food, as well as any other bills you may have. This is of course true, your main priority will most likely be keeping a roof over your head.
But anyone that has been unemployed and on universal credit or unemployment benefits, will tell you it’s a stressful and difficult time. These times can then lead to depression and anxiety. Your physical health is important. Your mental health is just as important, and I have a few ideas to help get you through.
Home Pamper Sessions
Firstly, a pamper session, that will make your face and feet feel wonderful. When you look good you feel good. When going for a job interview confidence is key and looking good can help boost confidence. So, what I’m suggesting is a face mask and a foot pack, that can be bought at Poundland, B&M and Savers for £1 each.
This doesn’t have to be a solo activity, you could invite some friends round and all laugh and do a face mask and foot pack together with a nice cold glass of bubbly and while champagne or Prosecco might be out of the question, Buck’s Fizz might just fit the bill. Which is roughly £3 a bottle from most supermarkets.
"While your physical health is important, your mental health is just as important!"
Making sure you eat enough
You might be wondering how you might be able to do this when food is so expensive and much more of a necessity. If you are struggling to pay for food, then I suggest calling your doctor’s surgery or your local citizen’s advice and asking for a food voucher for your local food bank. They can even tell you where it is.
Food banks have a lot of cupboard food that they give to the people who need their help, this could be cereal, pasta rice and various tinned foods. They also allow you to pick out what fresh food you would like that they have available and they take any dietary requirements or restrictions into account.
Once they help with food and leave not much else to be desired, it might free up a little for the occasional treat.
"If you are worried you are falling into depression, anxiety or both make sure you talk to someone. If a friend or a family member feels out of the question, feel free to contact me."
Explore a personal passion
This time doesn't have to be so upsetting, while it is perfectly ok to grieve the life you thought you had or were going to have, don’t miss out on the positives. It could be the time you find a new passion. It is of course important to look for work and keep on top of it, but it is also important to try and enjoy life as much as you can. If you think you might have a passion for art, pick up a paintbrush or a camera and see where it takes you. Or start baking and see what you can create. Seeing what you can make with what you get from the food bank could also be a chance to be a little creative and adventurous. If whatever you try isn’t perfect the first time around, don’t let it get to you.
"Things take time and don’t let anyone get you down. If it makes you happy that is all that really matters."
Dress it up a little
Looking your best might not be your top priority, but dressing nicely also makes you feel better about yourself. A nice bubble bath will help you to relax, it won’t completely get rid of worries, but it will reduce the tension in your body.
Get lost in a good magazine
Another activity that helps to just tune out from the world and get lost in fashion, art, entertainment or your favourite magazine is an app called Libby. All you need is a library card and you can log into the app and read your favourite books and magazines for free. It means you don’t need to take a break from your favourite reads and it won’t make even the slightest dent in your bank account.
Spend time with friends
Don’t underestimate what spending time with friends can do for your mental wellbeing at this time. Having a laugh, switching off and just having fun would help you to find some happiness during hard times.
"While you might find that being unemployed is not fabulous, you need to remember that you are fabulous and when the world knocks you down, one of the ways you can get back up is by showing the world just how fabulous you can be."
