I recently learned about a new and exciting concept: funemployment

Apparently, the rules of unemployment have changed – people are reveling in their state of being jobless. A growing trend among the 20- and 30-something set, funemployment is a miracle for some and an extension of college for others.

We live in times when layoffs linger in the air and less than 20 percent of 2009 college grads are landing jobs, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Predominantly embraced by Gen Y, funemployment is well-suited for a significant number of Gen Xers, as well.

The trend encourages the unemployed to bide their time and wait out the economy. The recession is granting people possibilities, as former employees now have the opportunity to rethink their lifestyle and simplify their lives.

Everyone knows change is inevitable, but they do not realize that their survival depends on their quick response to accepting those changes. I’m not saying that your employment status solely depends being adaptive to change. I view funemployment as a survival tactic.

Americans have been buying into corporate culture and adopting it as their own for decades. However, linking your identity to your job can be dangerous, as the loss of your job can lead to the loss of your identity.

Given the chance to truly find themselves, overachieving Americans may be pleasantly surprised to learn whom they have become. For many funemployment is a means to control the situation. It is a welcome reprieve after years of being too busy to take time off for a vacation.

Living in a large metropolitan city, the joblessness is all around you. I was astounded by the amount of people out-and-about during the day in Chicago (and I’m not even considering the tourist haunts). Could all of these people be unemployed? I even mused to myself that I may be among the ranks of the funemployed. However, I confidently decided that I am not funemployed. Far too driven to return to completely carefree days, I am on the prowl for a job. I split my time being engorged in social media and immersing myself in all of the culture Chicago has to offer.

My advice: live it up while you can. Enjoy being funemployed, but don’t envy them if you have a job.

Cheers, G