A Christmas Angel

Greetings,

The few days that preceded Christmas 2009 my family was undergoing the tragic loss of our sweet little cousin.

While I did continue to Elf through the upsetting news, I didn’t have the heart to post about my adventures.  It felt silly to be writing about how to cope through the holidays while unemployed when my family was coping with the loss of our dear 15-year-old Kristin. A death like this puts everything else into perspective.

What I did realize was that no matter what you are dealing with in life, family, friends, and love are all you need to get by.

Kristin would have gotten a kick out of my stories of being an Elf – I know she would have smiled and laughed at my tales of little kids, crazy parents, and conversations with Santa.

I will update soon with some final thoughts on this month-long adventure as Zippy The Elf.

Love, actually, is all around

Hug your loved ones close … you never know.

-Zippy

NAUGHTY OR NICE: Checklist for the Unemployed!

Don’t wind up on the naughty list!  Here’s some tips to keep you in check during your (temporary!) unemployment!

• NICE: Exercise!  It frees your mind and does wonders for your emotional well-being (and physical!)
• NAUGHTY: Winding up in financial trouble due to careless budgeting
• NICE: Spend time reading about your industry and keeping in the know about current happenings
• NICE: Have a daily routine.  Looking for a job should be treated as one, and a routine helps keep you focused and on task
• NAUGHTY: Surrounding yourself with negative or miserable people.  It only makes you feel worse!  Stay away
• NICE: Perfect your resume and have people look at it!  Have different versions available which highlight specific credentials
• NAUGHTY: Ostracizing yourself from others
• NICE: Have a list of contacts to regularly check-in with and keep in touch with!
• NAUGHTY: Not keeping in touch with your former contacts or following up to potential interview opportunities
• NICE: Have a list of websites with job board postings that you check daily
• NAUGHTY: Sleeping super late and not moving out of your bed/off the couch all day
• NICE: Go for long walks!  Fresh air is vital, as is stepping out of your apartment
• NAUGHTY: Not showering!
• NICE: Keep on top of your unemployment benefits and learn how to budget efficiently
• NICE: Meeting up with other people in your situation.  Your great friends will sympathize, but having someone to empathize with makes a huge and helpful difference.
• NICE: Listen to fun, uplifting music!  I suggest Hanson’s Christmas Album circa 1997!
• NAUGHTY: Expecting things to happen for you
• NICE: Visiting Zippy in Santaland to brighten your spirits 🙂

-Zippy

I just like to smile! Smiling’s my favorite!

I.  Love.  Being.  An. ELF!

First two days are down and they were SO enjoyable!  I think I’m gonna like it here! (read to the tune of “I think I’m Gonna Like It Here” – Annie)

Simply put, it’s pretty amazing to work in a winter wonderland where my main duty is to provide entertainment and happiness to everyone I meet, all while decked out as a lovable Christmas elf!   My mouth is sore from smiling so much!

Wanted to post a brief update for now – I’ll craft up a fun, longer synopsis of my first few days very soon!

It’s going to be a very merry December…just the way I intended for it to be!

Smile!

-Zippy

The best way to spread Christmas Cheer…

Welcome to The Chronicles of Zippy The Elf!  My guide to surviving the holiday season while unemployed!

With the unemployment rate in double digits, it’s a safe bet that you found my blog because you:

a.)    Are unemployed

b.)    Were once unemployed

c.)     Have a close family member or friend currently facing the same predicament

As an unemployed twenty-something, I foresaw the holiday season, (more specifically: December in NYC) as a completely wretched time to be a part of the 10.2%. A few weeks ago I craved for the 12^th month to pass over quickly, as if it never happened, rather than be smacked in the face with holiday cheer each direction I attempted to move.

A very long story short, I ultimately realized that the only possible way to survive the holidays while undergoing something so personally debilitating, is tackle it full on.  Dive head first into eggnog, dance with nutcrackers, and pass through the seven layers of the Candy Cane Forest.  In other words…become a Macy’s Elf in Santaland.

My mission is to offer seasonal support by means of my seasonal adventure!  In addition to bringing you random musings as I chronicle life as an Elf, I hope to offer advice on how to keep your spirits bright this holiday season:

• Share great articles offering advice and insight to keep you inspired during your job search
• Interview people falling in the 10.2% and find their tips for how to survive December
• Offer seasonal Things To Do! Attractions to visit, cookies to bake, and movies to watch!  Holiday survival – on  the   cheap!
• Present options to keep you positive, keep your spirits lifted, and keep your mind in the present
• Offer your family and friends advice on how to be of support during this time

Tomorrow marks my first official day as an Elf!  So excited to begin this adventure!  I hope you follow along for the ride.

Let your attitude be gratitude, have a little faith, and just believe*

-Zippy