Summary

The author reflects on their experience with unemployment, revealing that despite societal expectations, they found moments of happiness and fulfillment during these periods due to their introverted nature and mild autism.

Abstract

The article discusses the author's personal struggle with employment due to their introverted personality and mild autism. While acknowledging the societal stigma and personal challenges associated with unemployment, such as financial constraints and lack of purpose, the author also describes the joy found in aimless days out, exploring cities, and the freedom of not being bound to a job. They contrast the stress and boredom of work with the liberating and reflective periods of unemployment, suggesting that for some, particularly introverts, the absence of a job can lead to unexpected happiness and a respite from the pressures of employment.

Opinions

The author admits that unemployment can sometimes feel better than having a job, offering a sense of relief and enjoyment.
They express that jobs can be stressful, boring, and detrimental to one's life, especially if the job is disliked.
The author cherishes the freedom of aimless exploration during unemployment, finding pleasure in simple activities like browsing record stores and libraries.
There is a sense of longing for the structured life of a student, yet also an appreciation for the freedom that unemployment provides.
The author believes that the happiest days without work can outweigh the best days with a job, and similarly, the worst days at work are worse than the worst days of unemployment.
They suggest that for introverts with autism, the stress of a job might be more overwhelming than the lack of purpose or money during unemployment.
The author emphasizes that the impact of employment varies greatly depending on individual experiences and personality types, with extroverts potentially suffering more from prolonged periods of unemployment.

Some of My Happiest Times Were When I Was Unemployed

Sometimes it was just what I needed

I’m an introvert with mild autism. I’ve often struggled with jobs, and I’ve had significant periods of unemployment in my life. I know I’m probably not supposed to admit this, but sometimes being unemployed felt better than having a job.

I know, being unemployed for too long is not good. The lack of money really restricts what you can do with your time, and having no purpose can be soul-destroying if it goes on too long.

But let’s be honest, having a job can be hard work. It can be stressful, boring, and if you really hate your job, it can ruin your life more than being unemployed.

But there have been times in my life when being unemployed felt like just what I needed.

The joy of an aimless day out

Before I could drive, I remember sometimes I would scrape together just enough of my benefits money to pay for a return bus ride to a nearby city. There is something about having a totally aimless day out in a city that I found enjoyable.

Browsing record stores was nicely relaxing. Looking through CD booklets of albums I wasn’t going to buy became a hobby in itself. So did browsing books I couldn’t afford.

Libraries were calming safe havens, especially the quiet study areas. I found it relaxing to sit there looking through fascinating books or old maps while students silently studied around me.

Towns and cities feel different during the working week than they do at weekends. It’s hard to explain, but there’s something liberating about being out and about in a town when most other people are busy working in boring or stressful jobs.

And with the day being totally aimless, there is the freedom to explore the less obvious corners. Back streets can be fascinating, and usually quieter than the main roads.

Up on the hill in the sunshine with the students

On one such aimless day out in the city, I found myself up on a hill at lunchtime. The sun was out, and many students from the nearby university were having their lunch in this hilltop park.

In a way, I kind of wished I was one of them. The sense of purpose, the social group, the feeling of a life of possibilities that awaits. To feel a deep longing for all of that gave me a certain sadness. Oh, to be young and full of ambition and surrounded by friends!

But on the other hand, I was free. I didn’t have to rush back to college or a job. I was just able to sit there for a while and enjoy eating my lunch in the sunshine. Then I could spend the afternoon exploring another part of the city, and at the end of the day, I could have a relaxing scenic bus ride home.

I remember days like that with more fondness than the days I spent in an office typing things into spreadsheets.

Look, I’m not saying it’s ideal

I’m not saying that every day that I was unemployed was like this. Far from it. I had plenty of boring and frustrating days while out of work. And sometimes I really did feel lost and hopeless.

But in hindsight, my overall impression is that my happiest days when unemployed were happier than my happiest days while working, and my worst days while working were worse than my worst days while unemployed.

What does this mean?

It means that jobs can be hard, especially if you are an introvert on the autistic spectrum. Sometimes having no purpose or spare money feels better than the stress of a job you hate.

I think it really depends on where you’re at in your life. If you have had some bad experiences in your jobs, it may feel best to just have some downtime to reflect.