Part One of Three 

When you work for an emotionally healthy organization one of the nicest benefits, other than the paycheque, is that you become part of a community;  building relationships with co-workers through shared experiences, celebrating successes and overcoming challenges.

Having a sense of belonging and purpose is an intrinsic human need, it can make us stronger, happier and give us a feeling of safety.  A lack of purpose can lead to physical and mental health deterioration.

When you leave an organization one or two connections will be strong enough to withstand the challenge of maintaining a relationship when effort has to be made, but most won’t, there’s no blame to be laid, that’s just how life works, and even though you still have your family and non-work friends your community is suddenly much smaller.

Sometimes you move immediately to another job and are quickly part of a new community, but what if you remain unemployed for an extended period of time, either by choice or circumstance?

In the absence of employment there are other ways to ensure you feel a sense of purpose and connection, such as volunteering, joining a hobby group or taking a class, (more on this next week).

You might not notice right away, you might be focused on figuring out what to do next or enjoying your downtime, but one day you’ll look out the window and miss it, that feeling of belonging and contribution beyond your immediate surroundings, and you’ll know the time has come to create your new community.

Visit mydaisydaze next Friday for Part Two: “Volunteering, Connection and Disappointment”