Remaining sane during the job search

I'd thought about writing this post yesterday, but relegated it to the "things I'll do later" basket in my mind. Then, a few minutes ago, I read this story and watched the following videos:


Then I knew i had to share my opinion on tragedies like this one.

At the beginning of my job search (two months ago now :o ) my boyfriend's mother kept close telephonic tabs on her son and I, to make sure we were both happy and healthy. Now, this woman is definitely a smotherer - if her son and I get married I know we're going to disagree on how self-reliant I plan to raise my children. But, in this case, she had somewhat of a legitimate concern. In August, a nursing student whom she'd been mentoring committed suicide after failing a certification test for the second time. According to my b/f's mom, the recent college grad had always been at the top of her class and a general "perfect" youth - great grades check, extracurriculars check, personality check, good looks check and desire to spend her career helping people double check. For some reason though, she couldn't seem to pass this one last exam to complete whatever certification she was attempting to obtain. She studied and failed, studied and failed. Then, after writing a note, she shot herself at point blank range with a shot gun. Success.

I know my description is grotesque, perhaps morbidly inappropriate for an upbeat career/lifestyle blog, but the sense of hopelessness that a person must feel to kill themselves is no prettier.

During a job search, we - the (aspiring), perfectionists, never-had-a-barrier-we-couldn't-overcome individuals - can feel extremely sad about the state of our lives. However, there is never a need to feel that the only way to end emotional pain is through suicide. When I get down on myself, because I do sometimes, I call my friends/family members to receive words of reaffirmation in my abilities. Or, I make a list of goals I will accomplish in the long-run to "keep my eye on the prize".

The following links are sites you can visit to learn how you can reduce stress during a job search:
- Seven strategies for reducing stress during a job search

- Job search stress: what to avoid

- Keep stress at bay during your job search

So, what are ways you've found to reduce stress during a job search, or in general? Post it in the comments section. I'm sure other (aspiring) media mavens would love to know.