I had to look for that silver lining for way more than a year, about 15 months. I lost my job, but luckily qualified for unemployment benefits, and when the main ones gave out, was able to get extensions.
(Thank you, Mr. President!) I was able to pay my mortgage and bills with the benefits and a little savings. I went into survival mode, making all of my bread, and tightening up my food budget and still could eat pretty well.
Most days were at least a little depressing, but I tried to stay positive and used the time to study programs, doing tutorials - mostly photoshop, but also some InDesign - which came sort of easy since I knew Quark - and some Illustrator. Every day I looked at the ads, applied to the ones I thought were 'do-able' and kept studying. I kept telling myself that
there is a reason for all this, and
I'm doing what I'm supposed to for this part of my life.
I got through it and finally managed to get a great job at a printshop. Not doing graphics full time anymore, but that's ok - I am handling the smaller jobs, while taking care of customers and clerical functions - all things I've learned along the way. There IS a silver lining, you just have to ride out the tough times and have the faith that you will find it -
when you're supposed to.
