rs1971's journey

I was recently laid off from my corporate technology job after 26 years, and now I'm trying to figure out my next steps. I'm in my mid-50s and considering retiring early or at least taking a couple of years off. I received a lump sum severance package that covers six months, but I'm unsure about filing for unemployment. I learned that I can file now, but I won't receive benefits until after the severance period ends. This is my first experience with unemployment since I was 16, so I'm completely lost on the process. I've heard that to collect unemployment, I need to be actively seeking work, but I'm not keen on spending a ton of time customizing resumes or preparing for interviews unless something really appealing comes up. I'm trying to gauge how much effort is required for the 'actively seeking employment' part. I've done some research on the process in Arizona, but the information I found was pretty vague. I would appreciate any real-life experiences or insights from others in Arizona about navigating the unemployment system and how demanding the job search requirements are. Thanks in advance for your help!