A Bradford author has spoken out about the hidden impact of unemployment, arguing that being out of work can affect far more than a person's career prospects.
Tanya Rajnab, who was born and raised in Bradford, has used her own experiences to write The Unemployed Girl's Reset, a self-published guide aimed at helping women rebuild confidence, routine and direction while out of work.
The book is designed for women who are unemployed, between jobs or unsure about what comes next, offering a 30-day programme focused on small, practical steps.
"Unemployment isn't simply about finding another job"
Ms Rajnab believes unemployment is often viewed too narrowly, despite the wider impact it can have on people's lives.
She said: "I wanted The Unemployed Girl's Reset to acknowledge that unemployment isn't simply about finding another job.
It can affect your routine, confidence, identity, finances and how you see yourself.
"I drew on those experiences when creating the book, while keeping it practical and focused on helping the reader move forward."
The Bradford-born author said the idea for the book came from recognising how periods of uncertainty can affect people's wellbeing and sense of purpose.
Inspired by personal experience
Ms Rajnab said: "Going through periods where I felt like I was losing myself, dealing with financial pressures and seeing the impact that uncertainty can have on my mental health all shaped the way I approached the book.
"The idea came from recognising how difficult periods of uncertainty can affect your routine and confidence.
I wanted to create something that felt supportive and practical, while acknowledging that unemployment can affect much more than your job situation."
She added: "The Unemployed Girl's Reset is a practical 30-day guide designed for women who are unemployed, between jobs or simply feeling a little lost about what comes next.
"It focuses on rebuilding routine, confidence and direction through small, realistic steps rather than pretending everything can be fixed overnight."
Building a brand on her own terms
Rather than pursuing a traditional publishing route, Ms Rajnab chose to self-publish her work and develop her own publishing brand.
She said: "I wanted creative control. Self-publishing allows me to decide what I write about, how I present it, who I write for and when I release it.
"I also enjoy being involved in the whole process rather than simply writing a manuscript and handing it over. It's definitely a learning curve, but I enjoy building something that is my own."
Ms Rajnab currently has two published books and several more projects in development.
"I don't want to limit myself"
While she is keeping details of future projects under wraps, she says her ambitions extend beyond writing alone.
She said: "I don't want to limit myself to books. Writing and publishing are a big part of what I'm building, but I see them as one part of a much bigger vision.
"I'd also like to create opportunities for other people along the way and eventually build something that can grow beyond just me."
Ms Rajnab said she hopes her work will resonate with readers facing uncertainty and help them feel less alone during difficult periods in their lives.