Life After a Layoff

Layoffs have become a daily reality across the country.  Many of us have been affected by a layoff either directly or indirectly or know someone personally who has lost his or her job.  While browsing a message board pertaining to the company for which I work, I came across something written by a former employee which I feel is absolute truth, a silver lining in the clouds (edited for clarity, anonymity and emphasis):

“As someone who [has been laid off], this is a note to the ones who are being let go now.

Life goes on.  It is TOO easy to measure your self-worth in this world by your job.  You have [some time of feeling disoriented,] but after that, your sails will fill again and you will be off in a different direction.

As for myself, I have been meaning for years to start my own business and this shove towards that has been a good thing. If this didn’t happen, then I may have never done it.  I am taking this opportunity to build something long term for myself and my family that has nothing to do with the cozy interior of a big company.  I have not felt this alive in many years.  I would be lying if I said it was easy, because it is not.  But that is where the juice comes from; taking a chance, believing in yourself.

Re-invent yourself and go forward.  There is something better on the other side of the next door.  I promise.”

For those of us who are facing the potential of losing our jobs in the very near future, it is hard to imagine such a positive future from something so seemingly devastating as a job loss.  I do feel that there will be a sense of insecurity and fear when the next layoff is announced, but it isn’t the end of the world.  Life will go on and it may have been for the better.