Devin Silvernail, 21, is back from Chelan and focusing on a new mantra.

After some thought, I have decided to dedicate my posts to the future and not the past. The things that I look forward to are just so much more important than the things that I have done.

Who wants to read about people's problems, anyway? I know for a fact that many people do not. Frustrations can build in this situation. Everyone has problems, especially now. We have all had to adjust or cut back. It's the nature of the times. Some people have had to cut back more than others and because of that we should all appreciate our own respective situations.

Recently, I also made the conscious decision to take my feelings in general about this whole unemployment thing in a different direction. What I feel now is that this totally counts as a vacation for me. The unemployment benefits system seems to actually work pretty well in my experiences with it. Thankfully there have been no telecenter phone calls yet. And learning to cut back has been relatively easy over the past two months as well—although, since January 1st my primary checking account has been in the positive for maybe about four days. Haha, here's to planning!

When there is money in the bank, or cash in the pocket, it has been actually very easy to live on the $20 (max) a week that I have allotted myself. Has anyone noticed the price of ramen go up, though? Needless to say, I have knocked out quite a few ramen recipes that keep my taste-buds from getting too bored. For some reason I have a ton of basil at home, so that helps. Oh, and holy shit. I bought a bag of potatoes. Hooray for starch.

Free fun is still not too difficult to find. Taking walks, going to the museum, and seeing friends are always great. The approach of spring has me excited, too. It is my favorite "season" in Seattle. The smell in the air and the moderate temperatures are just great. I look forward to going to the park without a heavy jacket again.

Volunteering is definitely a big thing that I look forward to and I plan on flooding my schedule with many volunteer opportunities, so maybe you will see me around town? I also qualified for financial aide for school. Being poor does have its benefits. Going to school again also means having one amazing bus pass to boot.

As for the work front: still searching. Big deal, I guess. What's the point of really talking about it? I mean, everyone else is looking for jobs too it seems. This extended break is an excellent opportunity to just get out and live. It's something that many people do not get to do often, so I am trying to enjoy this time for what it is. Soon enough it will be over, and I will be back to the grindstone.

This situation should not get any of us in this boat down. It is just another challenge that modern humans have made for themselves. Adaptation is what we do.

Have an unemployment story to share? Write to jobless@thestranger.com.