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6 Ways Mentally Strong People Bounce Back From Job Loss
6 Ways Mentally Strong People Bounce Back From Job Loss
Whatever way you slice it, the simple truth is you’re out of work.
Getting laid off is never happy news. Suffering a job loss sucks. It stings to hear you’re
not needed anymore. It’s painful to pack up your belongings and leave a place you have
become attached to. It feels like a betrayal to be let go of by a company you have been so
loyal to.
Even if you had a great manager, you’ll likely feel discarded, rejected, and embarrassed.
The future seems scary and filled with questions.
Losing your job can be one of the most difficult experiences of your life. Abruptly
separating from a job is extremely difficult. For many of us, what we do for a living is
intertwined with our identity and self-esteem. It’s no coincidence the first question asked
when making a new acquaintance is, “So, what do you do for a living?”. When that’s
stripped away suddenly, we may feel lost…grasping for meaning.
In fact, job loss is a significant life event that ranks alongside the death of a spouse and
divorce on the stress-o-meter. We define ourselves so much by our professional roles and
work-related achievements.
With strength and support you can avoid sinking into self-doubt.
Here are some tips for coping if you lose your job:
Cleanse
Give yourself permission to work up to a fresh start. Take time for yourself in the early
days. Indulge with a manicure or new haircut to help boost your self-esteem. Convert
your anxiety into positive energy. Meditate, exercise; find your zen. Try journaling — it
can help you process your thoughts. Use these practices to gain perspective on recent
events and what you want out of the future.
After surviving a layoff, you really learn a lot about your strengths and abilities. While
you will need time to recover, remember to spend more time looking ahead and less time
looking back. A job loss can be a blessing in disguise — a change that brings you new
opportunities at every turn.
. . .