I have my personal budget.  Which should cover me for a quite a while if I can stick to it.  If I can keep with the funds I have per month from my severance, I should be able to extend that out to two years without having to get a “real” job.  Of course, if I do get a “real” job after the 6 months of unemployment, then I can still make it based on the budget every month because I’ll have that extra bit of savings.  (I initially wrote income, but then changed it to savings because that’s what it is now: savings).

Even before my last day of work on 5/6/26, I’ve been struggling with the anxiety of this limited “income”.  The only new income is going to be coming from my unemployment until I can get one of my businesses up and running.  Whether that’s the writing or the textiles stuff.  Plus, with the unemployment, I shouldn’t need to take much out of the savings.

I know that I’ll be ok for quite a while.  Then why is there this constant nagging voice that I need to do something different inside my head?  Why do I feel like I should “have a job”?  When in reality, I have multiple jobs. 

Number one, I’m writing more now than I have in more than 20 years.  I write just about every single day.  (There are some days on the weekends where I just actually kind of forget to write!  And that’s ok because if I take one day off from writing, its not the end of the world).  I journal at least 500 words.  Plus the blog.  As well as, I want to start writing articles on stuff.  Like this for example.  Writing an article about being “unemployed” when I’m actually “self-employed”.  The struggle for money in our capitalistic society.  And the need to always be busy. 

This is the first time in my working life that I have not “had a job”.  And the majority of that time I spent at a single company.  I think its only natural to have some of these feelings.  At least I know that I’m good enough and have enough experience to do whatever I need to do for my businesses.  And worse case scenario, I can always go and “get a job” somewhere.

Number two, on top of the writing, I’m working on my website.  I bought my LLC for that other business.  And I’m in the process of getting the business brand name trademarked.  I need to make prototypes for the items I’m going to sell through that business.  And all of that is a lot of time and thought.  I’ll spend time thinking about ways to improve what I’m going to make before I even make it.  As well as, what my booth should look like when I start attending craft shows so I can make sure I have the tables and shelves and whatever else I’ll need.  Like laminated signage.  Signs and business cards. 

Number three, I’m working on making videos of making stuff.  Like the bolero and clergy stole I made last week.  Once I get a few videos rolling, then I can set up my YouTube channel, Instagram, TikTok.  I must have my website ready to go by then as well so I can post and share everything all at once. 

Number four, while I have it, I’m working on the LHH programs/webinars as well as on LinkedIn Learning.  I’m probably just as busy now as I was when I “had a job” then I ever have been.  The biggest difference being of course is that I’m doing this because I want to.  When I “had a job”, I did it because that was my job.  I was supposed to do that stuff so I could get paid.  Of course getting paid is relative. 

I’m also keeping regular business working hours.  I usually start writing at around 8am.  I’ll take a “lunch” around 9 or 10 depending.  And then I’ll get up and walk every hour just like how I used to.  I try to “end my day” around 4ish.  Some days its 3, some days its 5 or 6.  I think one of the days last week when I was working on the video, I “stopped working” at 7. 

All I know is that this is what I’m supposed to be doing right now.  I can make it, as long as I don’t give up.