Wizdom Wednesday w/Praverb - How Unemployment Forced Me To Become Creative

Today is Wizdom Wednesday w/Praverb and today's wizdom is from a post Praverb posted during a time when he was unemployed and how during that time he became creative. Check out what the Big Homie wrote below and check out more gems at Praverb.net.

You constantly repeat the same routine. You wake up. You spend time searching for new jobs and you apply to those jobs. You have a strategy in place. You call the employers after three days pass.

The day arrives and you are nervous. You pick up the telephone with sweaty palms and a perplexed mentality. You try not to "Lose Yourself" and project a sense of confidence as you talk to the operator. 

The employer gives you the same pitch that you are accustomed to, stating that "they will contact you if your resume matches the job description." 

Depression begins to set in. 

Being Unemployed is Depressing

There is nothing like being a starving artist that does not have a job. On December 23rd, 2013, my family and I decided to move to Florida to be closer to family. I knew that this move would test my faith, my patience and most notably my ability to persevere. 

I knew right away that it would be difficult for me to get a job right quickly regardless of my education. My wife, who is a nurse, struggled for 2 months before she found a job. The stress of everyday life and the added stress of bills, buying a house and raising a toddler made me feel like a failure. 

I felt like I was doing everything that I needed to do to obtain a job. I researched companies, I devised personal cover letters and I committed time to contact the employers, but still no luck.

I began to feel like a complete failure. I could not look my son in the eye without thinking of my miserable situation. I distanced myself from friends and family because of this unsightly sense of pride that I had. I started to lose hope and reading the word became an afterthought. 

How I Found My Creative Energy

One day I sat in silence for a few moments and asked God, "Why me?" I wanted to know why he was picking on me. Why my prayers were falling on deaf ears. 

A last ditch effort was made to generate some funds, I decided to file for Unemployment. Naturally I was declined unemployment wages due to a bogus FMLA finding (go figure). I had enough I decided to stop searching for work. 

Days went by, my beard began to resemble Anthony Hamilton's haha. I lost the drive to do anything productive. Naturally I stumbled onto music again. 

Music has always been the equalizer in my life. When my mom died, I turned to music. When I got married, I turned to music. When I had my son, I turned to music. The past few years I tried to establish myself as a taste-maker and decided to suppress my songwriting prowess. 

Do this sound like something you can relate to?

I started everyday with this affirmation: I am a creative beast. I began to use other creative affirmations and relied on God to get me through.

I focused on the Power of I AM and started focusing on what I attached to it. 

I Am a Creative Beast

I started using this affirmation more and more. I found that my creativity was flourishing because I stated to the universe what I was and not what I was not. I started being thankful for the things that I had as opposed to what I didn't have. 

Finally I started living and doing what I was affirming. 

▲ I write music consistently because I Am a Songwriter. 
▲ I pitch music because I Am a Publicist. 
▲ I come up with marketing ideas because I Am a Marketing Genius. 
▲ I spend time with God because I Am One with God. 

You Are What You Repeatedly Do 

Unemployment can hamper your vision. It can have a big impact on your health, soul and relationships. It can even affect your creative output. 

The good thing is you do not have to accept and internalize the rejection that you receive from employers. Remember that you are what you repeatedly do. 

Continue to showcase your creative power and show people what you can do. 

6 months later. I am in a better place. I am doing what I love (still searching for a job but I am thankful that I do PR work). I am stressing less and living more. I am truly blessed.