Arleen Bradley Career Coaching

Looking for work is a job all its own.  But like when you worked, you didn’t work all day every day.  You had time off to enjoy family, friends and hobbies.  Doing so is just asimportant as ever, maybe even more so now.  Relieving stress and staying positive requires some distraction from the job search.  However, diversions can be expensive, but a little creativity will go a long way in making this time as enjoyable and productive as you can make it.

 There are free events you can attend for entertainment and enrichment; you just have to change where you go and what you do.  By doing a little research online, you can keep yourself quite busy doing interesting things.  Another place to look for free events is in your local newspaper.

 Below are a few possibilities to start you thinking about what you can do for low or no cost entertainment.  Start brainstorming to come up with more ideas.

 Family nights:  Instead of dinner and a movie, make a pizza and watch the videos you have taken  of the family over the years.  Have a theme for the videos–birthday parties, sporting events, school activities, to name a few.  Or get out the photo albums and look at all the photos you have snapped.

 Socialize with friends.  Invite friends over for a pot luck.  It isn’t about the food; it’s about the company.  You can talk, play charades, play cards or share family movies.  If everyone brings something, no one person will have to provide for all.

 Check out your local library:  Did you know many libraries have passes to museums, free DVDs, music CDs, and artwork available to take out in addition to books, newspapers and magazines?   Call your local library to see what passes they have and to make arrangements to borrow them.

 Community events:   Check the listings in the local paper for free activities such as lectures and concerts.   Many colleges and universities offer free concerts and lectures to the public.  Join a community theater group, choir, or orchestra.

 Sight-see in your own city/town:  Your own city/town has a history that is hidden in plain view.  Visit your local historical center to see what your city offers and then go see them.   If there are statutes in your city, do some research on the subjects they depict.  Take a walking tour of your city/town to see what other people come to see.

 Learn a new skill:  Find a friend who has the expertise you would like to learn and exchange lessons by offering to teach them a skill you have.  It is a win/win for both.  Trade with several people to expand your skill set.  Not only can you teach/learn computer skills but cooking, arts and crafts, sports, or anything that interests you.

 Do you remember a time before TV when families gathered around the piano and sang songs while someone played?  Or when people gathered at the bandstand in the park and listened to the community band perform a concert?  No, neither do I, but I have seen movies on TV where people did that and it looked like fun.  Everyone looked so happy and engaged.  It was a time when most people had library cards, and the only things at the library were books, newspapers and magazines. Our parents and grandparents remember.  It was how they lived through the Depression and WWII.  Whether it was the lack of money during the Depression or rationing in WWII, they shared, they saved, they mingled with people, and they were less stressed than we are now.  Give it try for yourself and see what happens.