Finding Resilience After A Layoff
Embracing The Unknown And Turning Loss Into Opportunity
A few months back, an unexpected 1:1 meeting with my boss popped up on my calendar. Simultaneously, whispers of downsizing echoed through our virtual office. Recurring meetings vanished, colleagues' emails dwindled, and my chat window filled with news from impacted teammates. The suspense was palpable like I was a character in a drama awaiting the plot twist. When the predictable finale arrived, it played out through a video call: I was now unemployed.
The layoff news was a welcome pause from months of corporate complexity: tight deadlines, demanding projects, and overlapping responsibilities, all within an environment where even well-intended attempts to innovate were challenging. Once I was working on a project similar to another team's, and I raised concerns, but they misunderstood my intentions. My enthusiasm for improvement, though sincere, left me out of sync with the prevailing culture. They adhered to the status quo; I yearned for change.
After the layoff and a good cry, I masked my inner turmoil with a positive LinkedIn announcement, joining the sea of other job seekers. The contrast of panic posts versus promotions on social media soon became overwhelming, turning my anticipated freedom into an unwanted pause in the trajectory of my life. Well-meaning sympathy felt like pity, stirring my old survival instincts.
Memories of my early years were marked by turbulent family life, unexpected single motherhood, and a college dream, traded for work to support my child. Living from hand to mouth was a way of life I promised myself I’d never repeat. My Texas upbringing, with its pull yourself up by the bootstraps mentality, fostered resilience. I embraced unglamorous projects and turned every 'underqualified' comment into fuel for success. My determination built an extraordinary career, providing a life for me and my child that I never thought possible. Was I about to lose it all?
That day, when the reality of the layoff settled, I felt relieved, shrugging off a heavy burden of work stress. But life has a funny way of swapping out one weight for another. Once the glow of freedom dimmed, reality came calling, and sleepless nights worrying, this time about future bills and retirement, returned with a vengeance. I responded by diving into the job search, but every role was a carbon copy of my old grind, except at some random Saas company.
Despite lingering fear, I was surprised to feel relieved after several rejections. Then, a lightning bolt moment struck: I recognized that I was scared and grasping for any opportunity, just like I had done as a kid. I turned off the notifications and paused my job search, letting the noise fade.
In the silence of my unemployment, a sense of urgency, leftover electricity, still pulsed through my body, a desperate reminder of the chaos of work's demands. Allowing my body to rest for a few weeks, the buzz finally died down. To my surprise, I felt better than I had in years. It was an unexpected wake-up, a profound realization that I was operating on hypervigilance and fear.
My world had become small. I was disconnected from my community and felt married to my work rather than fostering cherished relationships. Desperate to keep my job and stay afloat, I should have paid more attention to those vital connections. Rebuilding was bumpy, but my supportive network of women and family rallied, lifting me out of my funk and encouraging me to seek help, reminding me that it was okay to lean on others and embrace my resilience and strength.
I'm not that desperate teenager anymore. I'm a seasoned professional, equipped and ready for life's challenges. Now I have choices. Why was I clawing at the past?
I took a good look in the mirror. My true passions - writing, storytelling, empowering other women, and being a rock for folks during hard times - were staring back at me. So, what if I leaned into those passions, my experience, and my resilience instead?
It’s been several months, and I’ve settled into a new, more nurturing routine where I’m centering myself, my health, and my highest good.
Maybe I’ll land at a spirited growing business or start a company aligned with my values. Or perhaps I’ll spend my time at my writing desk, pulling at the threads of stories that make readers laugh, cry, or stop and think.
But who says I can't do all of those things? These paths aren't shooting off in random directions; they’re converging on this journey where I’m the pilot this time.
I know that building something new takes time, commitment, and willingness to put in work. There’s a delicate balance between dreaming and doing that I'm still figuring out. I'm learning to embrace uncertainty, celebrate small victories (like my first published article in the Huffington Post), and carve my path. With each word I write and each story I tell, I get closer to my true north.
I recognize the privilege of being able to take this break and pivot my life's direction. Many people who live paycheck to paycheck, like I did, don't have this same freedom.
Embracing vulnerability by admitting we don't have all the answers can foster resilience, authenticity, and growth. In times of change and uncertainty, seeking professional help is not just okay but often necessary. Our communities provide a sense of belonging, a platform to share our triumphs, worries, and stories.
Here's my invitation: If you've lost your job, if you're unsatisfied in your career, or if you're feeling stuck, consider risking some self-exploration. Ask for help, or take it when someone offers. Embracing vulnerability by admitting we don't have all the answers can foster resilience, authenticity, and growth. Small steps matter.
I’d love to hear your stories. How are you coping with your lay-off? What support do you need (beyond finding a new job)? How are you making changes, big or small, within yourself or the systems you uphold?
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Thank you for sharing this! What a great article.