Why having a gap between jobs may be a good thing

Some people might think that being let go or having to quit that unbearable job and be unemployed is the worst thing that could possibly happen to them. Without a job, many people can feel aimless, sorry for themselves, or unmotivated. On the other hand, there are others who use this opportunity to better themselves and learn new things. Jumping directly from one job to another might not always be the best thing for a person. Below is a list of reasons why having a gap between jobs may actually be a good thing.

1. Time to develop yourself
When you have a rigorous job, you might not be able to stop and think about the smaller things in life that you might normally take for granted. The stress of this job might completely ruin your ability to think about other things outside of that one area of work. With some time in between jobs, however, there is a period where you can read that book you might have sitting on your shelf. Or you could exercise more and get in better shape. Maybe this time could be spent learning how to cook, sew, or play the guitar.

2. It allows you to have a separate identity away from your job
For many people, their job is what defines them as a person. If you are not working so hard, then it will force you to think about other things to define yourself. This gap allows you the time to think about these things and in the end will benefit you as you eventually move on to your next career opportunity.

3. Allows you to catch up with people you wouldn’t normally think about
Since you are not slaving away at an office or having to commute to a far away place, you are given the luxury of having more free time. One of the best ways to use this free time is to reach out to others who you appreciate. They will inevitably help you deal with this gap and give you things to pursue for the next experience.

4. Use this time to travel if you can
If you have previously been working a job that didn’t allow you to really leave for an extended time, take advantage of this new opportunity. There is a whole world out there to be explored. Why spend the gap between your jobs in the same place that you always do? If you’re worried about not being able to be productive while you’re doing this, set aside some time each day to apply to a new job while you are traveling.

5. Spend the time launching a new business or venture
Another huge pro to having a gap between jobs is that it can give you a clear window into when you can go after a new idea or business venture. You may be able to even combine it with things you already did at your last job or next job. There is no one telling you what to do or when to work, so the possibilities are quite endless.

6. Spend more time with loved ones, kids, and family
Obviously if you are able to do so, a good use of this gap time would be to spend it with those who are closest to you. This may include a long distance trip to visit them or simply just being at home more often with the family.

7. Simply relax
If you work hard for long periods of time, the level of stress you might experience can impact your well being. With a gap in between jobs, the ability to just simply relax is much higher. Everyone relaxes in different ways, of course, but the timeframe in which you can do this is much lengthier than if you are burning the midnight oil.

These are just a few of the many reasons why having a gap between jobs is not always a bad thing. There is a lot you can do to occupy your time and grow from the time off. You control your own mindset during this important time period.