in a huge rut

[canucksgirl]

I graduated almost 2 months ago with a certificate in desktop publishing and haven't really done anything related to job searching. I paid off all my school debt and saved up to get a laptop so I'm on my way and I should be so happy and excited to get out in the real world, but I'm stuck now. First few weeks after graduating, every time someone mentioned "so hows the job hunt going?" I would literally feel nauseous. Now I've kinda gotten over that but I still feel so scared and confused still. I've been working on some freelance stuff so that's good but at the same time I don't feel I'm good enough to get and hold down a job. Everyone seems way more excited about me finding a job than I am. They don't know why I can't just put myself out there. Apart from not feeling good enough, I don't know why I'm not even excited. I've accomplished so much and have gone thru scarier things that finding jobs but yet I'm still freaked. It's starting to take its toll on other areas in my life. I just feel so lifeless like a deer caught in headlights.

[winneythepooh7]

Sorry that you are in a rut. Looking for a job needs to be a full-time job though IMHO. If you don't put your feelers out there, the jobs are not going to come to you. I think it's okay to take some time off after school ends, but I think if you start to establish a routine (ie. looking for an applying for jobs, getting out of the house and doing freelance that is related to your job, even just going for a walk and hanging out with people, etc), you will notice that you start to get out of that rut you have established.

[eastcoaster782]

Just out of curiosity, what kind of things can you do with desktop publishing? I'm not familiar with the term or may know it by a different name.

[canucksgirl]

What is Desktop publishing - It is the process of using the computer and specific types of software to combine text and graphics to produce documents such as newsletters, brochures, books, etc.

Thanks Winnie... yah you're totally right. I have to make finding a job a job in itself. And for me I think what I need is to break it down into little steps to keep me from getting freaked out. Set little goals for myself and remind myself that I've accomplished and conquered so much already.

[sandman1981]

what type of programs are you using?


I just feel so lifeless like a deer caught in headlights.



This is because you have NOT yet realize you Create everything in your life.
and the limits you think you have are the limits you gave yourself.

[canucksgirl]

I'm using Indesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat.

Yah Sandman.. that's totally true and it's something I neglect to see when I'm freaking out about the future. Get too caught up in the big picture and I just have to divide and conquer. Got looking into career resources at my school and I'm going to attend a seminar on job search strategies next week. Researching that wasn't so bad - baby steps! I'm actually looking forward to attending! There are so many resources and friends to help me if I just look.

"I am ready to put the same thought and energy into career management that I have put into worrying about the future."

[Nowtide]

"I am ready to put the same thought and energy into career management that I have put into worrying about the future."

What an incredible idea! I too spend all of my energy worrying rather than planning etc. I wish I could say that I will do this ie begin managing my career and devloping those skills but I get way to hung up on external events ie if I am not learnign all that I should at this job then all is lost for me to ever fulfill my goals. I am afraid to make the comitment you have because once I do then nothing should be able to derail me, if it does then I have truly failed. If I am always disastisfied then should this career ot work out then it was no biggie...I was unhappy with it to begin with.

[canucksgirl]

Nowtide yah it is a great idea, isn't it? I actually got it for a blurb to this other seminar I'm planning on attending at my school called Survivability. http://www.survivability.net/ I totally agree that it's really hard to try when there's a fear of failure. But what I've come to realize EVERYONE fails and I've failed a million times over. But it's how you bounce back and you really do become stronger (my tat is Japanese symbol for strength) And believe me it's not easy. I freak out a lot but just gotta keep reminding myself that I have faced so much and I am deserving of my dreams and they really are possible if I go after them. My freak out the other day (coincedently on my 25th bday!) made me realize that I was just coasting along and I have to put way more effort into finding a job. I am incredily happy that the QLC book exists and even more so the forums. My friends aren't really going what I'm going thru so it's nice to have other people who know exactly what I'm feeling. Here's some more quotes for ya. Cuz I love quotes and I have a whole book full of them!

"When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind & then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be change. THe future is in your power." - Hugh White

"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chaing reaction of positive thoughts, events & outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results." - ?