Here's how you can balance work and life while seeking new job opportunities after a layoff.

Shift your focus, from thinking about a job to improving your skills. This is a good time to: - Build personal brand - Revamp your portfolio - Take passion projects - Grow Network - Take new exciting gigs Focus on opportunities and how to leverage those! Because what you focus on, grows!

Dedicated Job Search Time: Treat your job search like a part-time job. Block out specific times in your daily or weekly schedule for focused job search activities like updating your resume, applying to positions, and networking. Maintain a Routine: Stick to a consistent sleep schedule and wake-up time, even on non-work days. This helps maintain a sense of normalcy and prevents burnout. Boundaries with Current Job (if applicable): If you're still employed during your search, set clear boundaries. Avoid job hunting during work hours and resist the urge to check job boards constantly. Prioritize Self-Care: Physical and Mental Wellbeing: Schedule time for activities that help you de-stress and recharge.

Organising and refreshing a portfolio is key. Make a clear distinction between the type of work commenced. Think of possible ways what platform to showcase your work. Stay calm and focus on your goals. Useful will be dividing main tasks into subsections and completing them one by one. That will give a kick to your motivation and power to take the next steps. I agree, that searching for a new role is like a job. There are so many artickles, and platforms that easily it can turn into a chaotic search. Figure out what is the best route and what's the most successful.

Staying organized is crucial, especially after experiencing a layoff. Crafting a daily schedule that dedicates specific times for job-related activities and personal pursuits is essential. Allocate time for updating your portfolio, reaching out to contacts, and refining your resume. Equally important is setting aside moments for relaxation and hobbies to maintain a balanced life. As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your key asset—ensure it highlights your best work to effectively demonstrate your skills to potential employers. This structured approach will help you stay motivated, prevent burnout, and streamline your job search process.

If you struggle with staying focussed on any one task, a to do list should be made and broken into these 3 categories. Important (must do these today, such as paying bills or sending a CV out) Nice to have done (things that are not crucial such as organising the house or washing the car) Not important (watching the latest episode of a show, gardening) When you break a day up into small manageable tasks, then you are likely to achieve more.

If you are a morning person, get the job hunting done early, then relax the rest of the day. Sitting for 8 hours a day panicking about not finding work will lead to burn out. Rest in the evening. If you are a night owl, swap the day around but schedule send your emails for a reasonable hour, so it does not look like you were up at 3am.

Today's job market for creatives is hyper-competitive and rapid. As much as one would like to achieve work/life balance, seeking it while job-hunting is often a fool's errand. Landing a new position that meets your needs and aspirations often requires just as much time as a full-time job (if not more), and can take several months -- rule of thumb is one month for every $10k in salary. It will be challenging just to avoid burn-out. Achieving work/life Nirvana concurrent with this will likely protract the timeframe further. My advice: follow the suggestions above to devote specific, significant time to the "work" of the job search, while including enough "life" to dodge burn-out. You can make your day spa reservation after you find a job.