Unemployed? Walk the dog. Don’t #@%$ it.
a fools guide to forward progress
Unemployment hit me square in the face last week, dear reader.
I was expecting to work for another few days, maybe two more weeks. The global logistics company decided that it was time for me to go.
Though the job was nasty, painful and paid the kind of money that would have led me to live in a van down by the river, it gave my days structure. That was a relief.
The best thing about having a job isn’t necessarily the value that I bring to the world nor the wage I was receiving. The job answered the toughest question for me: What the hell am I going to do with the time I have?
With no job and no clients, I’m now responsible for keeping myself organized and moving forward. In this role, it’s easy to be directionless and get pulled by the currents of what the family needs, then get stuck in the eddies and pools of self soothing and easily justified ‘rest’.
Rest - AKA hours of vintage mountain bike resto-mod videos.
These I don’t love, but they kill time beautifully.
I could get really into fucking the dog.
But the dog is me.
When I waste time, when I ‘fuck the dog’, I’m not harming anyone but myself. I’m fucking myself over.
With that logic?
I’m the dog.
But I’m also the owner.
And as a dog owner, I love my pets, but not in the way that would get me charged for animal cruelty. I love them enough to know that they need to move every day. They need walks.
So what have I done, dear reader?
Every day, I’ve taken myself out for an hour and a half walk. I’m walking the dog by walking myself.
It’s the foundation of my unemployment strategy.
I prescribed this to clients making career transitions, so I’m prescribing it to myself .
So if you’re making big changes and feel like you’re losing your centre?
Don’t fuck the dog.
Bestiality is disgusting.
Take yourself for a walk instead.
After that?
Who knows.
Preview offer with Jimmy the tour guide
My offer to you, dear reader: I’m tightening up a 2‑hour private ‘Halifax like a local’ walk (harbour + Dartmouth / Darkside vibe) for the season. I’m doing a few free practice runs for pairs (max 2 people). Want a spot? If yes, let’s come up with some time options. I’m currently very flexible.
This is suitable for a group up to 4 people.
Reply to this and I’ll show you things from the Darkside!