Perks of unemployment

April 21st, 2020 is the date I became officially unemployed. The boss said it was due to the coronavirus. I took some time off, took some rest, and started reflecting on things. I wasn't finding any jobs, I wasn't really upset. I had some savings so I tried to make good use of it.

Don't get me wrong. I didn't splurge on anything. Thanks to my girlfriend's nagging I became cautious with my spending. I bought shares and made my first profit. It felt good since it was money made from home. I tried my best not to get emotional in investing but we aren't wired that way, unfortunately. I did not want to ask for money from my parents and since I have been supporting myself since I graduated, I want to keep it that way. It just feels right.

I lived off five months staying indoors, only going out for groceries. There was nowhere to go as well due to the lockdown in Melbourne.

My friends think I am just wasting money. A lot people feel the same. There were a lot of negative energies when I told them I have been trading stocks. Well, people will say bad things no matter what you do so you might as well do what you feel is right. There were trash talks, especially from close people saying how trading can go wrong. I know it can go wrong. That's all the art of earning money. You win, you lose, you learn. I had business ideas during theses lockdown at home. I thought of flying back to my country to plan my start-up. My parents supported my idea but of course, there were doubters. I ended up not flying back because the virus situation back home was not good and the odds were pretty high and I don't want to lose money. Trust me, no one wants to. So I decided to stay in Melbourne and focused on trading stocks.

I spent hours and days learning online about stock trading and charting. I am no expert but I am getting it. The unemployment gave me chances to learn new things, spend time to reflect on myself, appreciate all the good times I had and the loved ones around me. My girlfriend is the first person who has been supporting me emotionally through all of this and I appreciate her every effort. My parents are always just one call away and I know they are healthy and safe so I have no worries about them.

I started applying for jobs again. I sent dozens of emails and applications but did not receive any replies or calls, which was expected. Then, out of nowhere, I was offered a position. A position which I did not apply. It was from a manager whom I met about a year and a half ago and he called me to ask if I was available. We met up again and things went well. Fortunately enough, I was welcome aboard within days to work as an Estimator and Contract Administrator. Of course, I would say this is out of pure luck, as the majority are struggling. I do believe in 'higher power'.

It was fortunate for me to get this offer. I am glad to be out of unemployment. But don't get me wrong. I enjoyed every moment of it, even though there were a lot of mood swings and low moments. I made good use of it. I learned new things, new skills, and developed a better mindset from reading books. I believe I came out of unemployment a better person than before. I know these are hard times. As Mr. Serge Pun said, Executive Chairman of First Myanmar Investment (FMI) company, "We are not on the same boat. We are in the same storm". What he said was imprinted on my heart. He mentioned that not everyone will survive the storm and only people who are well prepared will survive. I believe to survive the storm, we need to build better "ships". Unemployment was a setback for a 21-year old graduate like me, but it gave me opportunities to sharpen my skills, build myself a better "boat" to ride another wave. Of course, not everyone feels the same but it's the mindset that chains and binds us.

We can get through anything. Mindset is power. I don't want to sound like a typical online influencer. I don't intend to become one as well. But I just want to tell everyone to see things from a different perspective during these hard times and make good use of all the time you have. Even watching a motivational video on YouTube can yank you out of depression.

Stay safe and take good care of yourself and your loved ones! Appreciate them. Tell them you love them.

Love,

Willis