When Maura finished art school she says she "wasn't mature enough to realize that I controlled my own destiny." She took corporate jobs, which helped pay the bills, but didn't give her the creative control she wanted. While on maternity leave, her company laid her off. "At first, I wanted to sue somebody, but the severance package let me extend my maternity leave by a few months, and for that I am forever grateful."

She landed a new job that fit more with her creativity, but didn't last, as the recession forced a second layoff. This time, instead of looking for a new job, she saw the unemployment as a silver lining and started her own business, Maj�bra Creative Partners. "Two years later, I'm proud to say that my business is growing, and I love my job. Plus, I can't get fired. So in retrospect, I've got nothing bad to say about being let go. In fact, I should probably send a few thank-you notes."

YOUR job is on its way

What a great post! Thanks a lot for sharing that. Sometimes we forget about our dreams, our passions, and what inspires us, and being laid off wakes us up and challenges us to pursue more than just a paycheck.

Here's a link to my unemployment story I would love to keep this thread going, and hear how other have gotten through or are getting through unemployment.


My Unemployment
Story

Many people are getting by with taking several part-time jobs at once. Quite tiring trying to juggle them all together time-wise but I also supplement a bit with freelance writing:

I've managed to stay employed through my own efforts. About 4 years ago I had a wonderful online job, editing and managing a news website. I got paid really well, but unfortunately the owner wasn't making enough to keep it going. After that, I decided to create my own jobs.

It does require a lot of work, juggling websites, blogs, doing newsletters, etc and I have to wear many hats. I also do freelance writing work when it comes along and have affiliates and products that do pretty well.

Sometimes it seems like a rat race but it keeps paying the bills.

Hi BoomberGal:

Any suggestions to pass OUR way - and by this I mean VALID sites?

I finally have my PayPal set up and rearing to go, but so not into the SCAMS (lol).

Thanks,