What does an unemployed graduate do with their spare time?

As a JobHungryGrad, it is likely to assume that I have been applying for jobs by the bucketload. Assume away, but it would be untrue.

Instead, I'm drawing mind-map diagrams when I hunt for jobs. I presume that if I want to work in the future as some kind of writer, let's say journalist, then right now I want to be looking for jobs that allow me to communicate with people. That may not necessarily be a writing job (though bonus points if it is) but it needs to be a job where I get to discuss, debate and engage, because that's what I like doing.

The reason why I left the Civil Service was because I found the work a little dry, and although I applied my all to it, as Einstein said, "When a man sits with a pretty girl, it will feel only like a minute". When he sits with an ugly piece of detailed primary legislation, your life blood will sap out of you drop by drop. Basically, if you enjoy your job, it won't feel like you're working. Instead, it will feel as though you're partying all day.

So what am I trying to do about my sucky predicament? Well, first of all I have to get over the psychological guilt issue that I brought this on myself and others around me. I did, I know it's true, but now let's remedy it:

• 1. I am writing, a lot. I have been spreading my writer's seed around tens of online travel websites, I've been updating my travel blog and I've been adding to my non-fiction book on travelling ethically whilst undertaking budget travel.

• 2. I've started a business with a friend that I've had circulating around my mind for months but had to put it off until I have 'more time'. I now have plenty of time so I'm not getting my teeth into this project, which is fun and very exciting.

• 3. I've started to teach myself comprehensive SEO technique and HTML/CSS. Because my friend laughed at me when I told him I didn't know how to write HTML (I still hold that it was a bit cocky of him to do so) but now, I'm learning. How can I possibly become a good all-round journalist if I can't even code.

• 4. I've resubmitted applications for a Masters in Journalism Course at City University (but I wasn't meant to tell anybody that in case that stops me from getting a job)

• 5. I'm seriously thinking about the offer than was made to me to head out to Cambodia and go and work on the Pnomh Penh Posth for three months. SERIOUSLY THINKING ABOUT IT.

• 6. I'm buying a house.

• 7. I'm training for a 10k. Somewhere, somehow, I've always been a terrible runner but now the time has come to learn how to run 10k. So far the most I've managed is 8k, but I'm so close.

• 8. About to start a fiction book about sex-trafficking. That'll cheer me up no end during my inevitable weeks of job hunting.

• 9. The time has come to perfect the art of making Choux Buns. This time is tomorrow, ready for my boyfriend to come home from work.

• 10. Try to be happy, and if that fails, go out and take pretty photographs.