Read this if you were recently laid-off.
Hey.
I don’t know you.
And you probably don’t know me.
But if you’re reading this,
Then you or someone you know may have been laid off recently.
I’m sorry.
Layoffs are… terrible.
I was recently laid-off and put in a position that I never thought I would have to go through.
It left me feeling empty, replaceable, confused, upset, angry, and lost (just to name a few).
If you feel similar…
Embrace those feelings.
Embrace that you may be scared.
Embrace that you may have been blind-sighted.
Embrace that it S U C K S.
Embrace that it’s going to change your life.
Embrace that it’s going to change your life.
Not to sound all philosophical but…
Actually, you know what?
I’m going to sound all philosophical!
THIS CHANGE WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
Remember when you kept saying:
- “I’ll get to ___ when I have more time”
- “One day I will ___!”
- “Man, if something doesn’t work out here, I’ll ___”
Well… ima just take the credit and say THIS IS YOUR SIGN.
Trust that this was a blessing in disguise.
Don’t shit on yourself because something shitty happened to you.
Forreal.
And before you say…
“BUT, how can I do this if I have bills to pay! I have rent due… I have…”
I get that. I do.
To empathize with you, I have a car note, a 1 bedroom apt’s rent, bills, and more that I have to take care of.
But you know what I’m doing?
I’m focusing on my damn self.
Because what matters is you.
I even bolded and italicized “you” because I mean it.
It’s time to focus on YOU.
Slow yourself down.
The chapter you were in has only just closed.
Now, a new chapter will open with new and fresh opportunities.
You don’t know it yet, but you are about to create the life you have always envisioned.
Do you know how you’ll get there?
By believing in yourself, your ability to learn, work hard, and be YOU.
Okay, now that I feel like we know each other, I was writing line by line in hopes that this would help what I say feel more conversational because let’s be real… shit sucks and sometimes we can feel alone. I mean, it’s our life right? We gotta pick ourselves up when we fall, and even if you have a support system, odds are that you wanna be able to do it yourself.
Look, being laid off sucks. I was laid off a little over a month and a half ago. I had a little bit of savings and I am now working day and night to make a career transition to something I really want to do… because I deserve the life I want. And I will work my ass off for myself, because myself just told myself you the mf’ man, you don’t need no help. — if you know who said that, you’re a G.
Anywho, I do want to give you some actionable steps that have helped me on my journey. Take 10–15 minutes… or however long to answer these questions:
- What am I great at? (Soft skills / Technical skills)
- What do I want to be doing?
- How can I use this time to better myself?
- Who can I reach out to for help? ( this will be hard but swallow that pride )
- Who can I talk this out with?
- How am I going to build the life I want?
Once you have finish reflecting on those questions, here is what I recommend you do.
(In order)
- Go on a long walk without music. (I don’t care if it’s hot or cold or whatever, dress accordingly and be safe)
- Write down three things you can do tomorrow that will help ease your mind.
- Do them tomorrow morning.
- Make a schedule and allot 2 hours a day for applications and/or networking.
- After that, make a list of habits you want to start implementing in your life… those habits that you “never had enough time for.”
- And remember, take it one day at a time.
This is what I’ve been doing and it’s helped my mental tremendously. I’ve filed for unemployment to support myself for a bit, working 8 hours a day towards my new career path, and treating myself right. I’m here to affirm you that everything WILL be okay. Control your mind, control your thoughts, and build yourself. I swear, you will persevere.
4:44
you got this.
I’m always willing to have convos to support you in planning your next steps!
goprojectnick@gmail.com