You check your email before getting out of bed.
Look through job listings during lunch.
Or spend the evening wondering whether the unexpected meeting on your calendar means another round of layoffs.
Whether you have lost a job or are worried about keeping one, uncertainty can take up a lot of space. Especially when your income pays the bills and other people depend on you.
For Black women, these concerns have a documented economic backdrop. In a February 2026 report, the Institute for Women’s Policy Research found that 251,000 fewer Black women ages 20 and older were employed in August 2025 than in January. Black women accounted for more than half of women’s net employment losses during that period, despite representing about 14% of employed women at the start of the year.
Behind those numbers are the pressures of applying for jobs without hearing back, figuring out how to cover bills, and deciding what to do if a new job doesn’t come soon.
Those pressures deserve care and attention.
Why this belongs in a well-being conversation
In a study exploring Black women’s experiences of stress, women identified finances, family responsibilities, and children’s safety as important concerns. They also described how limited time and money made it harder to exercise and prepare nourishing meals.
Another study examining stress and health among Black women found that financial dissatisfaction and social isolation were associated with more symptoms of depression. Women interviewed for the study also described pressure to appear strong while holding back their own emotional needs.
These studies show why financial uncertainty deserves a place in wellness conversations. Caring for yourself during this time can include practical planning, emotional support, and making daily demands more manageable.
Turn one concern into your next step
When income changes, figuring out how to cover your expenses can feel overwhelming. Start with the most immediate need.
Create a budget based on the money you have available, prioritizing housing, food, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Contact creditors or service providers to ask about hardship assistance, payment plans, or temporary relief. Your local Urban League or another community organization may also help you find employment resources and financial support.
Choose one action to start with, such as making a call about a bill due soon.
Reflect: What would help me feel better informed about the next few weeks?
If you are still employed but uncertain about the future, a useful step might be updating your résumé or identifying a reference before you need one. Also, researching your options now can help you build an action plan. Review your essential expenses, find out what hardship assistance your creditors offer, and identify organizations that may provide employment or resource support. Keep the information together so you know where to start if your income changes.
Take a break from the search
Research suggests that mentally stepping away from job searching can help people feel more rested and return with renewed energy.
Set aside time for applications and follow-ups, then choose a stopping point that allows room for other needs. Before closing your laptop, write down your next task so you know where to begin tomorrow.
During your break, try something that takes your attention off work, such as cooking, walking, listening to music, or talking with someone. You may still feel concerned about finding a job. Give yourself opportunities to focus on something else for a while.
Be clear about the support you need
If someone supportive is available, tell them what would be helpful: a résumé review, an introduction, company during a walk, or a conversation without questions about your job search.
If personal support is limited, a local workforce center, professional association, or library may offer useful services or a place to begin.
Also, it’s ok to say, “I’ll share an update when I have one,” when you repeatedly get the same question.
Life outside the job search
You may still want music, laughter, a good book, or time with someone whose company feels easy. There are free activities that you can enjoy without making you feel guilty.
You may not feel optimistic every day and that’s ok. You can be concerned about your future and still make room for a meal, a pause, or a moment you enjoy.
Your needs deserve attention while you work through what comes next.
References
MacGowan and colleagues (2022). Does Psychological Detachment Benefit Job Seekers? A Two Study Weekly Investigation. Journal of Applied Psychology.
Tipre and Carson (2022). A Qualitative Assessment of Gender- and Race-Related Stress Among Black Women.Women’s Health Reports.
Jones and colleagues (2025). The Consequence of the Cape: A Mixed-Methods Inquiry into the Sociocultural Stressors Impacting Black Women’s Health. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.