Ever find yourself on an unexpected “vacation” from your job? Maybe you’re out of commission thanks to an injury or health concern, or perhaps your work has dried up faster than spilled coffee in the desert sun. Whatever the reason, the sudden shift from clocking in every day to staring at the ceiling can feel like a bizarre dream sequence. But, try not to worry because you can get through it. Here’s how:

1. Take a Break (Temporarily!)

Okay, so if you’re unable to work right now, you might as well try and embrace it and take a little break before you get back into things. No commute, no forced politeness with colleagues, the whole couch to yourself? Sounds pretty good, right? So, instead of stressing, take a few days to yourself. because at some point, You’ll be busy, busy, busy again!

2. Make Peace with Your New Schedule

Life without a 9-to-5 can be disorienting. Suddenly, you’re the master of your schedule, but it’s surprisingly easy to let the day slip away in a blur of social media scrolling and TV binge-watching. Create a loose daily routine—nothing too rigid, but enough structure to keep you from morphing into a pajama-clad hermit. Write down a few goals for each day, even if it’s as simple as “Do the dishes,” “Learn one new fact,” or “Try not to trip over the cat.” Small accomplishments can give you a sense of purpose and, trust me, help prevent that dreaded “wait, what day is it again?” feeling.

3. Get That Brain Pumping: Learn Stuff!

Newsflash: You don’t have to be employed to keep your brain in tip-top shape. Have you always wanted to learn a new language? Hola, bonjour, hallo—now’s your chance. Or maybe you’ve wanted to master the art of sourdough bread, code an app, or finally figure out how to fold a fitted sheet without swearing. The internet is your oyster, brimming with free tutorials, videos, and online classes to teach you just about anything. Heck, you can even learn random (and sometimes bizarre) facts just to spice up your future small talk. “Did you know bananas are berries?” You’re welcome.

4. Follow Your Creative Impulses

Ever doodled on a napkin while on hold with customer service and thought, “Hmm, not bad!”? Or maybe you’ve been secretly writing fan fiction about wizards on broomsticks (no judgment here). When life hands you unexpected free time, dust off those daydreams and turn them into something tangible. Paint a picture, write a short story, or take up knitting if you’re feeling extra domestic. Let your imagination run wild—after all, the world is brimming with enough spreadsheets and tax forms. Inject a little color and whimsy into it!

5. Spruce Up Your Space

Nothing screams “I have too much time on my hands” like reorganizing your sock drawer by color, but hey—why not? Tidying up can be oddly therapeutic, and it beats doomscrolling through your phone for the millionth time. Tackle that cupboard that threatens to avalanche every time you open it, or rearrange your furniture to make your living space feel new. Bonus perk: a cleaner, more organized environment can help clear mental clutter, which might just make this forced hiatus feel a bit more manageable.

6. Tend to Your Body (Gently, if You’re Injured)

If you can’t work because of a physical injury, you might be tempted to avoid any form of movement for fear of aggravating it. Obviously, follow your doctor’s orders—but if you get the go-ahead for gentle exercise, consider stretching routines, light yoga, or easy walks. Endorphins are magical little stress-busters, and moving your body can keep your mood from sinking to sub-basement levels. Of course, if the doc says you need serious downtime, respect that. Future you will thank you for not re-injuring yourself with ill-advised stunt attempts in your living room.

7. Consult the Experts If You Need a Hand

If your inability to work stems from a gnarly accident—like, say, a motorcycle mishap—you might be entitled to some support or compensation. An attorney specializing in motorcycle accident claims can help you sort out the legal stuff, so you’re not shouldering the burden of medical bills or lost wages alone. Because guess what? You deserve to focus on healing and plotting your triumphant return, not stressing about insurance paperwork written in a font only lawyers seem to understand.

8. Brainstorm Future Career Plans (or Mini Ventures)

Not working can give you the mental space to re-evaluate where you’re going in life. Do you still want the same job you had before? Or is this the universe’s way of telling you to shake things up? Maybe you’ve got a side hustle idea brewing or a dream job you never dared to pursue. Get a notebook and start scribbling plans, ideas, budgets, or even potential logos if you’re feeling fancy. Think of this time as your brainstorming retreat—just without the corporate lanyards and awkward icebreakers.

Enjoy it while it lasts, and then get back in the game!