Any time one’s out of work, sadness—even depression—can set in. And since COVID? The Pew Research Center did a survey in mid-March, when we were still early in the pandemic and hadn’t yet suffered its many economic or emotional hits. Pew found that nearly one-third of those suffering from psychological issues including depression and anxiety were those who’d already lost jobs or income.
This COVID period is undoubtedly an extraordinary stressor for many. Normally, whether workers wear blue or white collars, they can check out similar environments in their field and find work. But now is very different.
Retail, for example, is mostly shut down. Since the pandemic’s exploded and government funding is gone, some retail businesses have folded forever. Jobseekers find no replacement positions or face a ton of competition when they’re answering ads. (Let’s not even talk about filing for any assistance.)
Loss of income and stability, loss of future goals, loss of everything we consider normal… it all creates an overwhelming impact. Depression is one of COVID’s most predictable outcomes.
Here comes Demon Depression
Experts agree depression has different definitions. “I see depression as when you’re not functioning as well as you could be. You’re not hitting on all cylinders,” says Rick Hirsch, LSW, a long-established mental health professional in Pennsylvania.
The American Psychiatric Society says, “Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act… Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders.”
California therapist Vicenza Baldino, LMFT, adds that challenges have exploded since the #BlackLivesMatter intensification of cultural change. “Some of my clients that are already depressed [have] gone into such a deep sense of despair. It’s as if they are in bereavement, as if they knew these people, because it’s affecting their community so greatly,” she says.
Facing tricky challenges
The unemployed now face outstanding challenges. “Where I would go with a person like that is maybe…have them spend some time…reviewing what they feel their strengths and weaknesses are,” says Hirsch. “Who they are as far as a person at their core.”
He offers this example: “I would have them reflect on what they liked about their job when they were performing at their best. And then maybe pull that apart a bit to learn what it is they actually enjoyed and valued about that, and see if that’s a fit for what they’re looking at in terms of [any] class.”
“We can get depressed no matter if we’re fragile or not,” says Baldino. “If you’re going to work for yourself, can your personality tolerate the disappointments that will be many before the successes?”
Yes, I can conquer!
Being pragmatic helps. Review your budget and figure all expenses, including training fees, new software…all the details that any smart budget includes.
“I’m a believer in someone remembering what it feels like to have some success,” says Hirsch. “Sometimes that requires taking a step back and succeeding, and then taking the next step after that. [Give] yourself goals that you can actually attain.”
Success may not even mean earning dollars immediately. “So maybe somebody invests in [ghostwriting], but not for the outcome,” says Baldino. “[It could be] for the process, or the journey of learning something, and saying, “Hey, you know, I do have this skill. Maybe it’s ____.” Then you fill in the blank.
Remember, that filled-in blank could range from “It’s a great hobby,” to “Let me see how I feel about that first project,” to “I’m ready to focus on that training,” and beyond.
When you envision your future, the world is still your oyster, so dream big! Becoming a Certified Ghostwriter takes time, passion, and dedication. But when you finish and are ready to start your lucrative, online, and creative career, the world will be waiting—healthier and stronger than when you began.
Ready to explore a ghostwriting career? Come to our site!
And don’t forget to check our other blogs about getting started as a ghostwriter.
2 https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression