Dear Orlando: My Life Sux Right Now!
Orlando

Dear Orlando,

Last fall, I was laid off from my job as a paralegal at a law firm (the firm subsequently went under and no longer exists). Additionally, I broke up with my boyfriend of five years and haven’t been on a date since 2003. I find it difficult to hang out with my friends because they are all really happy all the time. I find the more things go wrong in my life, the more it seems like everyone else’s life is perfect. How can I have a happy life when I spend all day submitting job applications that get no response and stare at all the piles of bills that I can’t pay? Life sucks right now, how do I make it better?

Yours,

Over It

Dear Over It,

After being busy and used to having your schedule monopolized by a time consuming job, you’re probably not used to having this much time to think about everything that’s going on in your life. First of all, I’d suggest you do something nice for yourself every day. Go to a magazine stand and look at all the tabloids or check out something in LA you’ve never done before (try taking the subway from Hollywood to Downtown, it’s surprisingly fun and exciting). Also, you have to stop feeling bad about being unemployed. There are tons of unemployed people right now in your exact same situation. You are doing all you can to get back on your feet and that’s the best you can do.

Secondly, you need to disconnect your emotions from your monetary situation. Surely, money is important and you need to deal with all of the financial difficulties that come with losing a job, but there are far more important things in life than money: your health, your family, your happiness, etc. Make a commitment to yourself that you will tackle your financial woes and then put it out of your mind for the rest of the day.

Finally, if you are unhappy, you can feel free to tell your friends. You don’t have to fake happiness for their sake. I’m not saying you should turn into a total Debbie Downer, but it’s okay to acknowledge feeling a little down about all the things going on in your life. Your main goal should be to have a positive attitude, but don’t feel guilty if you can’t be Happy Harriet all the time. Everything is going to get better, especially if you keep focusing on the fact that everything is going to get better. Use your time off to do stuff you know you wont have time for when you get a new job because when you’re working again, you might miss these decadent days of free time.

Love,

Orlando