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Abstract

<img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*ymYVgpN5-5uXIUbBIUtp3g.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>I have learned a lot about myself during my unemployment journey.Life does throw us curveballs from time to time. I used to tell my school kids that there is a time for everything, a time to be sad, a time to be joyful, and a time to learn. My unemployment journey incorporated all those elements.I learned that it is okay to feel sad, and depressed, to cry, and to feel like you lost everything in life you once valued.I am ashamed to say, that at a stage in my life I (my oblivious self that is), judged people who were unemployed, or on social benefits. I thought it was their choice.<blockquote id="dccd">“That they were just lazy, and did not want to work.” What a fool I was!</blockquote>Life, and the universe, decided to teach me a lesson. Now, I understand, for I have walked in their shoes. It was an eye-opener.I, sadly, lost some friends on my unemployment journey. Or, should I rather say — I am lucky that I lost them as they were fair-weather friends.I had a lot of questions about why I lost these ‘friends’. These questions bothered me. It consumed my self-image like a hungry lion. However, I have learned that it doesn’t really matter. I now know who my friends are.The ones that: hugged me when I was sad; tolerated my rants; and, invited me regularly to their place for dinner. The ones that offered me a place on their living room couch. I am blessed to have them in

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my life.I am glad I joined Medium in February 2022. I found that creative writing acts as a release valve for the pressure that was building up inside of me.I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who published, clapped, highlighted, and commented on my posts. It meant the world to me, fuelled my newly found writing passion, and it contributed to my healing process because I believed in myself again. I felt worthy again and found a new purpose in my unemployment journey.Spring returned to my life! Hallelujah!<blockquote id="ebed">Thank you! You are all awesome!</blockquote><figure id="83a2"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*ymYVgpN5-5uXIUbBIUtp3g.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>Not a Medium member yet and want to join? You can sign<a href="https://j-edmunds.medium.com/membership"> up here.</a>“Unemployed, Oh No!” — A Series of Poems <a href="https://readmedium.com/unemployed-oh-no-7c979c350332"></a><a href="https://readmedium.com/unemployed-oh-no-7c979c350332">Part 1: The Meeting</a> — The emotional impact of hearing you lost your job. <a href="https://readmedium.com/unemployed-oh-no-a-series-of-poems-77fe9b0bcb72">Part2: Broken </a>— An emotional reaction to becoming unemployed. <a href="https://readmedium.com/depression-chains-154abd1f6992">Part 3: Depression Chains </a>— The effects of depression in my daily life. <a href="https://readmedium.com/light-d91821650159">Part 4: Light</a> — There is light at the end of the depression tunnel.</article></body>

Poetry | Life lessons

Should I?

Part 5: A Celebratory Poem In The Series “Unemployed, Oh No!”

Photo by Yan Krukov from Pexels (cropped by author)

The series details my well-being and emotions during my unemployment journey.

I have learned a lot, which I will go into more detail about at the end of the poem.

Should I?

Should I, or shouldn’t I? Volcano questions bubbling up, — glowing magma hot. Sing, dance, and laugh — that is, I can, but, I’m not sure if I should, Too many people about. They might think, I’m crazy, but I know I am, crazy about life — that is!

I want to sing, about my sunshine-joy for life. Should I, or shouldn’t I? Dance, like no one, is there? Oh, yes, I should, dance! But how? Latin, ballroom, or a waltz, perhaps? Doesn’t matter, dance with joy, you should. Cos, I’m crazy about life. From my soles, till the tip of my head,

I should sing and dance! Vibrate with joy, cos, Spring is here again, life is beautiful and new, I know, Released from my depression chains — I am Sing, laugh, and dance, again — I will!

I have learned a lot about myself during my unemployment journey.

Life does throw us curveballs from time to time. I used to tell my school kids that there is a time for everything, a time to be sad, a time to be joyful, and a time to learn. My unemployment journey incorporated all those elements.

I learned that it is okay to feel sad, and depressed, to cry, and to feel like you lost everything in life you once valued.

I am ashamed to say, that at a stage in my life I (my oblivious self that is), judged people who were unemployed, or on social benefits. I thought it was their choice.

“That they were just lazy, and did not want to work.” What a fool I was!

Life, and the universe, decided to teach me a lesson. Now, I understand, for I have walked in their shoes. It was an eye-opener.

I, sadly, lost some friends on my unemployment journey. Or, should I rather say — I am lucky that I lost them as they were fair-weather friends.

I had a lot of questions about why I lost these ‘friends’. These questions bothered me. It consumed my self-image like a hungry lion. However, I have learned that it doesn’t really matter. I now know who my friends are.

The ones that: hugged me when I was sad; tolerated my rants; and, invited me regularly to their place for dinner. The ones that offered me a place on their living room couch. I am blessed to have them in my life.

I am glad I joined Medium in February 2022. I found that creative writing acts as a release valve for the pressure that was building up inside of me.

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who published, clapped, highlighted, and commented on my posts. It meant the world to me, fuelled my newly found writing passion, and it contributed to my healing process because I believed in myself again. I felt worthy again and found a new purpose in my unemployment journey.

Spring returned to my life! Hallelujah!

Thank you! You are all awesome!

Not a Medium member yet and want to join? You can sign up here.

“Unemployed, Oh No!” — A Series of Poems Part 1: The Meeting — The emotional impact of hearing you lost your job. Part2: Broken — An emotional reaction to becoming unemployed. Part 3: Depression Chains — The effects of depression in my daily life. Part 4: Light — There is light at the end of the depression tunnel.