If you’ve recently lost a job, you might feel like the rug has been pulled out from under you. While getting laid off is scary and stressful, chances are this time period will be a short blip on the radar of your otherwise long, successful career. With a good attitude and some resourcefulness, a time of unemployment can be a tremendous time of growth. Here are some small steps to make the most out of a period of uncertainty.

Take a breath and refocus

If you’re getting over the shock of losing a job, give yourself a breather for a few days. Take some time to mourn the loss, catch up on sleep, and relax. Then, take time to reflect on some big questions that can help you determine your next step.

  • What about your past job did you love? Hate?
  • What skills of yours have been underutilized?
  • What are your goals for your next job? (It might help to rank factors like salary, location, growth potential, responsibility, and stability in order of importance to you.)
  • What specific positions could you see yourself in in the future?
Invest in relationships

Personal connections are invaluable. While it’s important to reach out to the friends and family members who have supported you through past challenges, now is also a great time to reconnect with past co-workers and pursue new opportunities for networking as you look for your next opportunity. Look up folks on LinkedIn who have jobs similar to what you’re looking for, and ask them if they have a few minutes to answer a few questions. Connect with alumni from your college, and look up industry networking opportunities in your area.

Get organized

The amount of organization a job search requires is no joke. Keeping track of the job listings, cover letters, resumes, applications, follow-ups, interviews, and thank yous can make you want to throw your hands up in defeat. Getting yourself as organized as possible can help you land your next job, faster. Altogethr lets you search multiple job sites at once, compare positions, and save the jobs that are the best fit all in one place. Then, you can move the job through every stage — from interest to offer. Set tasks and helpful reminders to stay on top of everything on your to-do-list.

Learn a new skill 

Have you always wanted to learn Spanish? Take up painting? Or maybe you’ve been interested in coding but never had the time to take a class. There are plenty of free courses available online. Take a break from job hunting and filling out applications to learn something you’ve always been interested in. Not only will pursuing a side project enrich your resume, it will also exercise a new part of your brain and provide a feeling of better balance to your days.

Care for your mental (and physical) health

While it might be tempting to spend a good part of the day in your pajamas watching Netflix, it’s important to stick to a routine that’s at least fairly similar to the one you held while working. That means staying on track with your workouts, socializing with friends, practicing self-care and being honest with yourself about how you’re doing. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of free or discounted mental health services — look for sliding-scale therapists in your local area, or check out mental health apps like BetterHelp or TalkSpace.