Funemployment: Out of Work and Happy About It

Being out of a job usually ranks in the top 3 nightmares of life for most adults, but not for some young folks. Instead of looking for work, these people, usually singles in their 20s and 30s, prefer to stay with "funemployment" and enjoy life a bit.

Kimi Yoshino of the Los Angeles Times has more on the story:

What most people would call unemployment, Van Gorkom embraced as "funemployment."

While millions of Americans struggle to find work as they face foreclosures and bankruptcy, others have found a silver lining in the economic meltdown. These happily jobless tend to be single and in their 20s and 30s. Some were laid off. Some quit voluntarily, lured by generous buyouts.

Buoyed by severance, savings, unemployment checks or their parents, the funemployed do not spend their days poring over job listings. They travel on the cheap for weeks. They head back to school or volunteer at the neighborhood soup kitchen. And at least till the bank account dries up, they're content living for today.

"I feel like I've been given a gift of time and clarity," said Aubrey Howell, 29, of Franklin, Tenn., who was laid off from her job as a tea shop manager in April. After sleeping in late and visiting family in Florida, she recently mused on Twitter: "Unemployment or funemployment?"

Link (Photo: Genaro Molina / LA Times)


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I really don't believe most 29 year olds have a career, as most people don't have careers imo. But you have a point. I'm 32 and I don't miss a damn thing about having a job (besides the paycheck).
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I'm unemployed and have been enjoying it, but time is short. The boredom of the office is creeping ever nearer and sooner or later the unemployment benefits will run out, the parents will have had enough of helping, and my fat ass will once again be forced to waste eight hours of my day under flourescent lights to pay the bills. I got laid off at sixth months pregnant and have been just happy I haven't had to put my baby in daycare. But like I said, the times creeping up on me.
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The reason the 29 year old tea shop manager liked being unemployed is that she had a job. Most people by that age have a career, and a sense of responsibility.
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Well, I may be an 'exception' to the rule, but I'm kind of in this situation. Except, I DONT come from wealthy parents, and I AM looking for a job. I was laid off (from a job I loved), and lucky enough to get some severance package stuff.

That being said, I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the extra free time. However, I am quite worried about getting another job, so perhaps this doesn't really apply? I certainly wouldn't call it "fun" to be constantly worried about my career's future. But sometimes you have to enjoy yourself a little bit to keep from being depressed when you get turned down or (more often) ignored when job applying.
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