One month on. It is now one month since I last held the status of "full time employee". After thirteen years at the business I worked at, I was given a retrenchment package, and for the most part, I've been really happy.
I have settled into a rhythm of going to the gym every second day (except today, my shoulder is full of delayed onset muscle soreness, from ... of all things - finally being able to perform an overhead standing press of nearly 50kG (47.5kg, for those that care) but once that has diminished, hopefully tomorrow, I will be back onboard with renewed fervour.
I can probably name the "productive" things I've done on one hand, but I've had such a fulfilling time during this unemployed phase. I've gotten incredibly strong (both physically and emotionally!), strengthened friendships; picked up some new hobbies (like I needed even more of them!), and grown a copious amount of Chilli in my home's garden.
I've done a bit of photography, (though I'd like to do more) and I've gone to a friend's exhibition opening - and made some very interesting new contacts that I hope to produce some art work with in the future.
I've had a few job interviews, and I'm awaiting the outcome of at least one of them eagerly. I have many more applications pending, and I'm playing the waiting game for the most part.
I am extrmely fortunate to be in the position where I have a decent financial runway before I am financially ruined and end up actually looking like my appearence.
I look homeless, so that could be a really real threat, in some (I don't care to share) specificed measure of time.
I know that measure of time quite while, and I'm comfortable with it, because I am an Analyst at heart, and a nerd at play; therefore I am content to play the waiting game.
Otherwise, I can always go and obtain a forklift licence or a truck licence and have lots of employment awaiting me, but I want to do something that will fill fulfilling and will allow me to have broad contact with members of the community.
I want to flex my knowledge of the art theory world, symbolism, colour theory, the properties of light, but I know that my skills are in being really good at using computers, analysis, Excel, PowerBI, and all the adjacent fields.
For the most part, and for the all of the parts, I'm hopeful about the future, and am thoroughly enjoying life, remaining as frugal as possible and enjoying all of the artefacts of my prior labours (games, books, and my home).
As to what comes next, you (and I) will just have to wait and see. :)
At least I'll have more time to write nonsense here.