I talk about why making work a core part of your identity is dangerous, the effects of this, who it benefits, and how you can shift your sense of self away from being centered around work. Work can be a part of who you are, but it should not define you.

On this episode I talk about why work-life balance is an absolutely ridiculous ideology we can stop working toward whenever. I also introduce a new segment called "Don't Read This Book," and my first un-recommendation is the 1937 book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.

The global pandemic has changed a lot for people, and I am no exception. As I watched the unemployment numbers grow and the senate fail to pass legislation that would help Americans struggling to get by, I knew I had to start this podcast back up with a new direction. In this bite sized episode, I talk about what I've been doing since December 2018, my perspective and vision for this podcast, and how I'm feeling.

In your underemployment, there will come a time (and quite possibly many times) when you feel like giving up. Things are sucking, nothing is working and you’re ready to throw in the towel. This episode is for those crappy days where all you want to do is crawl into bed with 45 different snacks and Netflix until you can’t Netflix anymore. And no, the answer isn’t to keep on keeping on and rub some dirt in it. The answer is to accept, rest, and reflect.

This episode is what I want every underemployed college graduate to know and is what I wish someone would have said to me when I realized this was going to be my reality for a while. What I want you to know: This isn’t your fault. No matter how you got here, it doesn’t change that this is where you are. You will be okay. The bad days don’t have to turn into bad weeks. Or months. Or years. It is of utmost important that you take care of yourself: physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. Being underemployed sucks and I’ll always be the first one to admit that. I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone, but now that you’re here, you have the opportunity to learn, grow, and expand yourself. Don’t just look at this time as a waste of your life and your potential. You still have a life and potential, no matter what happens. Choose to see this experience as a time of building your resilience, weathering rejection, becoming more gritty, and getting familiar with vulnerability. Don’t get too comfortable with where you are and resign yourself to life as it is now. Challenge yourself to see what’s good in every situation and know that you’ll be okay.

This is episode 11 of overcoming underemployment, the third episode in a series on how to cope with underemployment practically. You can find the first two episodes here and here. This episode will be all about dealing with relationships when you're underemployed. Not only romantic relationships, but friendships and family as well. When you're underemployed, one of the best things you can have is a solid support network. The thing about that is that when you're underemployed you're much more likely to isolate yourself and cut yourself off from people because you don't like the way you feel and you don't know how to deal with it. While it might be your natural instinct to isolate yourself and stay away from friends and avoid your family, those people are what you need more than ever. Topics covered in this episode: Why you need people in your life when you're underemployed What the research about underemployment says about relationships My experience with relationships while I was underemployed How underemployment strained my relationship with my parents What you can do to help keep your relationships strong while you're underemployed The best strategy I've found for navigating the negative feelings that come with underemployment and how to use it to strengthen your relationships How to talk to your friends about underemployment What you can do with your mind to help deal with underemployment

On this episode, I tell part two of my underemployment story, which blessedly came to an end in February 2018. I take you through my breakdown, and how I finally made progress toward exiting underemployment after years of stagnation.

On this episode, I share part one of my underemployment story! From my upbringing to choosing a college, finding a career path I actually liked, and getting my first job after graduation.

On this episode I talk all about self-care and your health care. When you're underemployed it is way too easy to neglect your health and yourself.From diet, drinking, exercise, and sleep, I give advice for taking care of yourself. Topics covered include: How underemployment can lead to health issues, binge drinking, and sleep problems How meal planning and healthy eating are important when you’re underemployed Why you should exercise when you’re underemployed How you can get better sleep when you’re underemployed

On this episode I talk about one of the many ways you can help yourself become gainfully employed. The focus of the specific episode will be on introspection and taking care of yourself mentally. Topics covered: One of the most detrimental things you can do to your mental health when you’re underemployed and what you can do about it Why therapy is necessary if you can afford it Why you should practice meditation and mindfulness Why you should practice gratitude Why you should read Brené Brown, watch her TED talk, and explore your vulnerability Why you should work to strengthen your resilience and persistence Why you should try this stuff even if you’re skeptical The best books to read when you’re underemployed: Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin E.P. Seligman Rejection Proof by Jia Jiang Gratitude and Trust by Tracy Jackson and Paul Williams Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam M. Grant Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero Positivity: Top-Notch Research Reveals the Upward Spiral That Will Change Your Life by Barbara L. Fredrickson Books on meditation and mindfulness: Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics: A 10% Happier How-to Book by Dan Harris Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn Why Can't I Meditate?: How to Get Your Mindfulness Practice on Track by Nigel Wellings Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World by J. Mark G. Williams,  Danny Penman, Jon Kabat-Zinn