The Land of the Imminently Laid Off

As if there weren't enough troubles with being laid off, the young idealist version of myself thinks I better make something of myself with new "opportunity."

Why is it that, especially if you're under 30 and without children, people say "Oh, now you can do anything you want!" As if by losing your job to a piss poor economy magically cured all the other ails in your life. I understand the spirit and intention of the statement, but not the reasoning. Just because I don't have a mortgage and three kids doesn't mean that doors fly open for me. That I suddenly, after two decades of struggling, know exactly what I want to do with my life. That isn't how it works. Here are the 10 stages for someone who is facing imminent laid-offness:

1. Fear - mostly of boredom in my case

2. Joy - Thank God I don't have to continue being the buffer for all marketing crises that take place even without my client's knowledge

3. Fear - what the hell am I going to do with my life now? I was comfortable being the whipping woman in the same city I grew up in all my life

4. More Fear - Shit...now I REALLY have to try to do all those things I have always talked about doing.

5. Excitement - Any city has to be better than Cincinnati. Do what everyone always thought you would do: move your ass to a big city and be insanely good looking while doing it (that's a joke)

6. Disappointment - In a big city, you're just another tall blond girl from the Midwest/South. And middle class to boot...

7. Confidence - It's not about how you look, it's what you experience. Of course you'll be scared and you'll miss your family and all your friends but you'll make new ones... Right? You are funny, aren't you? Aren't you?? D

8. Assertiveness - Apply for everything under the sun. You're smart, you're charming--you can make it happen!

9. Disappointment - No serious interest from any employer two months in to searching

10. Grad School - I always wanted to get my law degree right?

Please forgive me for what may seem to be a spoiled 23-year-olds perspective. I do not have any major bills, no loans to speak of, a Jetta I will continue to drive until it vomits German elves, no children, 1 boyfriend who is willing to move and a whole lot of clothes that are dying to see more action that the bland streets of Heartland, USA. But the question is: am I ready to take the chance and change? Will I still be able to hold my head high in a city full of models and city chicks? Will I burn up a credit card trying to look as good as the place I live?

I know it's sad that these are my concerns when the world is facing such a horrendous and heavy sigh. I am well aware of the burdens I don't have to face. I know I'm selfish. What I'm trying to learn is how to not be selfish and still thrive. How can I continue to be the spark in the dark when a whole city is made of lights?