It’s been a year since I was catapulted out of my long-term role and pushed out of my comfort zone and into the job market. Looking back over the past year, it’s hard to wrap my head around the mix of emotions I experienced.
After being laid off, I went through a grieving process.
First, shock, denial, anger, and then acceptance, freedom, hope…and a little bit of fun during my unemployment. While these aren’t necessarily the same stages of grieving as losing a loved one would be, there was undoubtedly a feeling of immense loss and uncertainty.
When I was laid off, one thing I will never forget was the support I received from my network—from my husband, closest friends, and family to colleagues who were also reeling about being part of the same mass layoff and even from those I hadn’t worked with in over ten years. The support during this challenging time reassured me that I would be okay.
Fast-forward to a year after my layoff, and guess what? I am okay; actually, I’m thriving.
I recently celebrated one year at my new company. It was a challenging, humbling year. It was also extremely rewarding, invigorating, and full of personal growth. I’ve gotten to know a whole new set of colleagues, learned new ideas and processes, and planned and delivered the largest events of my career while traveling to new places. After having been laid off and being a bit older than I was the last time I was the “new girl,” I went into this new role with a different perspective.
My top takeaways from starting over are:
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You are not your job.
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Set boundaries, and don’t forget them.
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Stop and listen.
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It’s okay to ask for help.
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Be bold.
While these definitely apply to work life, they also carry into home life. I often stop and remind myself of these lessons, whether at work or during the hustle and bustle of home life.
