So how do you ease the burden of finding a job without allowing it to impact your mental and emotional wellbeing? Here are some tips to help you out.

Treat the job search process like a typical job
Having no source of income is already a reason to be unhappy. It can lead to feelings of hopelessness and anxiety. What you can do is to treat the job search process like a typical job where there’s a structure and schedule you follow. For example, instead of spending random hours and squeezing in resume submission within your day, it’s better if you learn how to create some rules for yourself such as no checking of your LinkedIn by 7 o’clock in the evening. Or that you should only do tasks related to your job search between 9am and 6pm. Be sure these rules are followed strictly and religiously.

Don’t hesitate to talk and share with your friends
Like any other difficulties we encounter in life, it would feel so much better when we try to share it with other people. There’s no reason to be ashamed of the fact that you’re looking for a job. In fact, the people who care about you might even be able to help out. Talk to your friends and family members. Don’t shut communication down because isolating yourself from people may only make you feel worse. Keep some people in the loop, especially those who you can trust, the ones you know who care.

Remember that your career doesn’t define you
One of the reasons why people easily get depressed during job search is because they let it define who they are. When they get rejected, they feel like they aren’t good enough. In fact, a lot of people deem their jobs as one of the most important things in the world so when they lose it, they question their self-worth and identity. Don’t fall into the same trap by embracing the fact that your personality and your identity are more than your career. Who you are, your worth and values aren’t defined by your job. You have so many positive attributes to depend on as a source of confidence and real happiness. Focus on these things.

Don’t compare yourself with others
While sharing with friends is an excellent way to deal with the loneliness that job search entails, make sure you don’t end up comparing yourself with others. Don’t measure your worth by sizing up each other’s successes and failures. Each person is unique and we all have unique strengths.