At the end of March, I was made redundant. Three months and zero hopeful job prospects later, I’d be lying if I said there weren’t some pretty dark days – days when jokes about spending my time hosting tea parties for a collection of dolls just don’t seem so funny. (I have no dolls. Not yet.) But I am not one to see the glass half empty – I’m one to say, “Top me up, sucker!” And with that spirit in mind, I’ve found a number of ways to see the bright side of redundancy.

1/ You own Tesco
This is seriously a leg-up on those smug employed friends of yours. For you, grocery shopping is both speedy and restful, as you can go at three on a weekday afternoon with no one but a few students and some pensioners to dodge as you leisurely swan about the aisles. Who knew they were actually so spacious?

2/ Be the prettiest on a school night
Meeting for a drink on Wednesday? No longer will you have the tell tale dark circles of a long day, and no more will your hair be completely wilted by the time you meet people. Why? Because you, my friend, started getting ready at four.

3/ Take the opportunity to learn something new
Always wanted to brush up your French? How about that copy of Anna Karenina you’ve been meaning to get to? Don’t kid yourself. Facebook beckons and TV does the thinking for you. And that’s a lesson worth learning.

4/ Plot revenge

5/ Do all that stuff-y stuff
There is no appointment slot you cannot fill – suddenly, NHS waiting times seem quite reasonable. Near-empty salons welcome you with open arms at noon on Friday. Need to pick up your dry cleaning? See you at two on Tuesday… the list goes on.

6/Consider drinking during the day
We wouldn’t encourage making a habit of this, but it’s an option, okay?

7/ Make new friends
Who knew there were so many people around in the daytime? There’s the sweet old lady and her poodle up the road, the folks down at the JobCentre and the homeless guy shouting at recycling bins outside McDonald’s. These are your people! Embrace them accordingly.

8/Always remember the Golden Rule of Redundancy
Work’s for suckers. Suckers and crybabies. And they can keep it.