When you leave a job whether it is by our choice or not there is naturally a flurry of emotions ranging from anger and shame, to elation and hope. Anger that it didn’t work out or anger that the employer maybe didn’t see the value that you bring. Shame in wondering what everyone will think. Elation to be out of a tough situation and hope for something better. Then comes the first day off, when everyone else is going to work and you are sitting home wondering what is next. A wave of panic overcomes you and you quickly jump online because you have to hurry up and get a job.
The uncertainty feels horrible and all you want is for the feeling to go away. This is when people jump on the first job that comes along and low and behold within 6 months they find themselves miserable. The best way to avoid this is to honor the “neutral zone”. The neutral zone was coined by William Bridges, an expert in transitions. The neutral zone is the time you give yourself in between jobs to heal, reassess, and recharge yourself. It is an amazing time of creativity and clarity.
So resist the temptation to rebound and take time to honor the time in between jobs.