How to stay positive during unemployment while dealing with NYS Department of Labor delays

I totally understand what you're going through. When I was unemployed last year, I had to create a routine that wasn't just about job searching. I'd do my NYS Department of Labor weekly claim early Monday morning, then spend 2-3 hours on applications, but I also scheduled other activities. Volunteering helped me feel productive and sometimes led to networking opportunities. Also remember that the job search requirements aren't just bureaucracy - they're actually helping you stay active in your search even when motivation is low.

Set small daily goals beyond just job applications. When I was dealing with unemployment, I made sure to learn something new each day - took free online courses, watched YouTube tutorials for skills related to my field. It kept my brain engaged and actually made me more marketable. Also, don't underestimate the importance of physical activity. Even a 20-minute walk can completely change your mindset for the day.

ugh i feel you on this. been unemployed 3 months and some days i just want to stay in bed. the worst part is people asking 'any luck with the job search' like no karen if i had luck i wouldnt be here lol. but seriously what helps me is limiting news/social media because seeing everyone else's success stories just makes me feel worse

One thing that really helped me was connecting with other people in similar situations. There are actually some good networking groups for unemployed professionals in the NYC area, and many meet virtually now. It helps to talk to people who understand what you're going through instead of just family members who mean well but don't really get it. Also, if you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor for any claim issues, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to agents when the phone lines are jammed. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works.

Been there and it sucks but it does get better!! What helped me was treating job searching like a part-time job - work on it in the morning when I had the most energy, then give myself permission to do other things in the afternoon. I also kept a journal of small wins - even if it was just 'applied to 3 jobs today' or 'updated my resume.' Those little accomplishments add up and help you see progress even when you're not getting interviews yet.