Losing a job may be the best thing that happen to you

Your admissions tutor once quipped that his three addictions would be cocaine, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary. You looked at him in a strange way, wondering if he had an addictive personality. Would you count on him if you were too pressured in your coursework? It turned out that he was the wisest man you met.

Five years later, you recalled your tutor's words. You were unemployed during the last three months. Your mother don't mind you being around the house too often, as she missed you during the last few years. You rented a flat, and had a great time with your flatmates. You were lucky to be with them for three years or so. (Your coursemates didn't like having a new flatmate every six months or so. But they couldn't help it. Either they must find a new job with a higher salary or it was them who would be forced to move out due to the economy.) But you had an earnest conversation with your father. He was quite worried, which put you on a defensive mode. You would be fine, but you had a different feeling the next day.

What if you would remain jobless? Jamie, your best housemate, urged you to visit him in Bangkok next spring. You were tempted to leave, but you were too proud to ask your parents for funds. It could happen sooner than you thought. And you promised Jamie to think it over. He was lucky. (He was frugal back then. You bought comic books and paperbacks. It made you felt good.)

You paid your uncle a visit. He was supportive of you, but it doesn't mean you love your parents less. The subject of unemployment was brought up, and he had some interesting insights. These were the things you learned from him:

It would better to quit ahead while you were young. He knew the younger generation to be a restless bunch. He quit his first job (when he was your age) and spent the next six months sketching the landmarks in France and Spain. Sketching was his passion, which he could have turned into a full-time career. But he didn't. He wanted to have his own house, with his own family, before he would reach 35. He managed to achieve it earlier than he expected.

Better think twice when you reach the point of no return. Your uncle was jealous of the young backpackers traveling around the world for a year or less. He knew they would come back home and built a career. He agreed that there was no substitute for travel experience. In fact, he was making it up. (He'll travel around Australia next summer.) He advised you not to quit your job when you reach 30, as some employers might have doubts about your loyalty. You haven't thought of it, as you were reluctant to outgrow your inner Peter Pan.

Make the most of your time. You haven't abandoned your plan for authorship. In fact, you wanted a modest literary career. You don't mind not having a bestseller, as meeting fellow authors (and literary aficionados) would be enough. You could consider an academic career, even publishing. But you have a month to think about it. Reading would make you a better writer, and you have the time in the world.

You felt good about your visit, but the old feeling slowly crept back. You might have to get used to it.