What should be a typical summer, it’s not. When you’re forced to be on an unpaid vacation; one you couldn’t prepare for, one you didn’t ask for. But how to keep things sane? There is nothing ordinary about this. Seriously, who yanks the carpet out from under another person knowing a family is in peril, that children’s lives have turned upside down?

It’s difficult to not dwell on the actions of others that have sent your world spinning out of control; to focus on the task ahead is difficult, almost daunting. Now what? Where to start? Sure there are lots and lots of online postings from employers hiring. You’re diverse, quite the background, achievements and work experience; however, you know this will be a strike against you as someone with your skill level doesn’t find a job by accident, you have to know someone.

You put out feelers, make contact after contact with colleagues. When you’re the one who typically helps others, asking for help is difficult. A few respond with keeping their ears open, while others actively send you job postings they’ve come across. It’s overwhelming, almost scary to think that you’ve shared with others your pain.