It was like getting punched in the stomach. I heard the words coming from my supervisor’s mouth and watched as she relayed the news of our company’s layoff, but it still felt surreal. After hearing the terms of departure, I was met by a security guard at my office where I was to immediately clear out. I was then escorted out of the building. Not only did I feel shamed, I was now unemployed, not knowing where I would look for my next job.
Sound Familiar?
You may be one of the millions in America who has faced a layoff in recent months. If you’re still struggling with the impact of it all, trust me—you’re not alone.
Besides the financial turmoil it places on individuals and their families, the greater toll may be to one’s emotional state in the first days and weeks following.
This list from Stanford University shows a few ways sudden job loss affects individuals:
EMOTIONAL REACTIONS
- Anxiety
- Shock/Disbelief
- Irritability
- Anger
- Frustration
- Resistance
- Sadness
- Fear
- Loss of enjoyment
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Loss of self-esteem
- Shame
PHYSICAL REACTIONS
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Weight Loss/Gain
- Sleep disturbance
- Upset stomach
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
Several of the effects on this list are common to a great number of individuals. But when you are going through the loss, it feels so isolating—as though nobody else is experiencing it.
When Mourning Comes
I found the experience of layoff similar to that of grieving other losses.
Many work-related dismissals occur after prolonged weeks of supervisors dropping hints through emails or special mandatory staff meetings where it’s reported that life, as you know it [in the company], may soon come to an end, or that things are not looking so good long-term.
And then it happens. Death of your employment is pronounced. What’s left is announcing it to family and close friends. Sadness and shock set in. Your thoughts race toward how you’ll proceed in life, and you wonder if you’ll ever feel happy or fulfilled again.
What’s Next?
First off, I want to encourage you with the reminder that there is hope. There is “better” coming for you. Better days. Better weeks. Better years ahead in your next career. This is not the end. In many respects, it’s the beginning of a new chapter for you.
But at the risk of sounding too much like a life coach, I also want to share a few tips for coping with your new temporary situation following layoff that I came across on a Sanford University site. I used these same methods during my layoff situation and they worked!
- Maintain Relationships
Rather than hide in a closed-off shell of shame, it’s best to talk to friends and family members who love you. You may feel embarrassed about your job loss, but those who care about you want to encourage you through it. They want to pray for you, include you in activities with them, and help you move forward in life.
- Take Care of Your Body
I know your immediate thought is to spend every waking moment looking for your next job, and employment is important. But you won’t be fit for interviews if you become sick and bed-ridden due to stress or depression. So, even if it’s as simple as a 30-minute walk around your neighborhood each morning, do something on a regular basis that is good for your health and wellbeing.
- Nurture Yourself
This is sometimes referred to as self-care. What are some activities that bring you happiness that you can do each day? You may enjoy riding your bike, playing the guitar, or reading a fiction novel. Whatever it is, take time between scanning job boards and writing cover letters to do that “something” for a few minutes throughout your days to help distract your thoughts from pent-up frustration to focused enjoyment.
- Write it Down
No need to worry about grammar or proper sentence structure here. Simply jotting down your thoughts or feelings each day can help detangle the ball of discontent that’s currently rolling around in your thoughts day and night. Writing—even just a few words each day—can be a useful tool in making more sense of what you should do next.
- Keep a Positive Attitude
I know you want to lash out at your circumstances and those you feel are responsible. Voicing dismay with people who love you will help release the negative thoughts you’re having. But then, replace the disappointment with positive words and attitude about moving forward in life such as, “I know that God has a plan for my life!” “I have skills that others can use.” “I have the experience that will help improve other companies.”
Above all else, remember that there is hope. Don’t give up! This is not a forever situation regardless of how it feels at the moment.
Continue focusing on what you are great at and share those things often with everyone you come into contact with. God will open doors that you may have never even thought of before, which will make your next career possibly the best one ever!