My friend called and asked what I’ve been up to all day.  “Um…” I gathered my thoughts.  “I, uh, sort of took multiple naps throughout the day.  And when I finally decided I was done napping, I took a shower (at 5pm).  Oh!  I also cleaned the apartment.”

Never one who naturally bends towards structure, I’ve discovered that while unemployment allows me to do ANYTHING I want, it can also trick me into doing NOTHING at all, even things I’d normally do like clockwork when I had a job.  For example, I had a Saturday morning routine in which I’d scrub down my apartment.  That way, I could just rearrange and dust throughout the week, and my tiny hovel would seem brighter and livable.  If I didn’t get my place sparkly clean before I jumped into weekend activities, I knew I’d likely end up in a disassembled apartment for the next 7 days.  That fear got me running for the Scrubbing Bubbles.  But now, knowing I don’t have a REAL schedule, just one I conjure up on a whim, I find myself echoing a fictional Southern heroine’s famous mantra: “I’ll think about it tomorrow.”

So the list gets longer:

• Figuring out health insurance options–even if it’s going to be COBRA: putting off till, uh, tonight?
• Paying the bills: I did manage to write the check, now I just have to buy a stamp and mail it…Monday hopefully?
• Applying for jobs: The government makes me accountable for this if I’m going to receive benefits, so I’ve been on top of that one.
• Creating that LinkedIn account for my job hunt: Still thinking about it.
• Responding to emails: If I’m at the computer, I’ll shoot one right away, otherwise, it may take a bit longer….
• Laundry: I pushed this out a week longer than usual, but still had plenty of clean clothes, so I guess that’s not too bad, right?
• Load that antivirus program my friend Randy suggested: Soon?
• Take another nap: I think I may do that right…about…now.