Statistics are showing that soaring unemployment rates in Europe during the financial crisis are affecting a larger percentage of women than their male counterparts. After all, equality in the workplace is often only an HR slogan. Being made redundant often brings an initial rush of a need for accomplishments. What else than a brilliant new job could boost our downtrodden self-esteem and show old bosses how much of a mistake they made? The media is full of tips on how to quickly get back on the career ladder and secure one’s financial situation during the period of unemployment. We quickly put a brave face on, assess our finances and spruce up our CV’s.

Yet after hundreds of job applications with negative replies or, even worse, no reply at all, the initial stamina wears off and here comes the realisation that the state of being jobless might be prolonged more than originally expected. Without a doubt, it is not difficult to slip into a restless torpor and self-pity, only to be soothed by picking up the television remote control and glaring at the world we lost a chance to belong to. Unlike the hostile environment outside the walls of our living room, a TV set will not judge nor impose niggling questions about our prospects for the future. When nothing is a must anymore, the TV guide looks a perfect reference point to build the daily routine around. Suddenly we are able to replace the lost job with a new full-time occupation and not even a rising electricity bill feels a threat.

A job loss, akin to any other loss, deserves a period of mourning, but it should be a process with a consciously set expiry date. Without denying that things look rather gloomy and that getting the career back on track is a priority, it is worth to reminisce about every time a dream about what would we do if we had limitless free time on our hands popped into our head. It surely wasn’t watching endless marathons of the Hills or re-runs of The Jerry Springer Show. Long-abandoned hobbies or teenage dreams can be resurrected to become saviours, keeping one busy enough not to succumb to filling days with nothingness oozing from the screen. However, before starting to organize activities that won’t leave the period of unemployment a blank gap on our CV – be it volunteering, trying to go freelance or learning new skills – and, though often unpaid, can bring a feeling of success and achievement into our lives, it is worth to simply recharge your batteries.

When a holiday is out of the question due to melting financial resources, it’s the little daily pleasures that make new reality endurable and put brighter light on the situation. Indulging in them mid-week wasn’t possible with a hectic work schedule, so they’ll definitely have a decadent taste. Soak in bubble bath during the day. Take time to create a perfect froth on homemade cappuccino. Slip on an inappropriately frilly dress instead of your usual conservative working wardrobe. Pick up a book you’ve never had time to read and embrace the literary world on a park bench without having to rush of to another meeting. Become a tourist in your own town. Whatever you choose to do, it will make being booted out of the fast lane less dreary. A touch of dolce far niente will definitely ease the stress but most importantly allow a comfortable transition into the new way of living – slow living.

Unlike watching fictional candy-soaked existences on TV, those small daily delights will make you want to live your own life again. And soon, you might even see a smile breaking in the corner of your mouth. On the contrary to a disheartened frown, it’s a much better look to face a potential employer at the all-important interview.