Job Layoffs: How to Find a Positive Spin on Unexpected Life Changes
'Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.'― Eckhart Tolle
There was no textbook, class or lecture in college that prepared me for when my dream job laid me off.
It’s still a reality that I’m learning to navigate with as much gratitude and grace as I possibly can, but that doesn’t make the sudden change any easier to digest. For two and a half years, I was proudly a full-time editor and staff writer for a local, independent online news publication, and then, after one Zoom meeting, I became an unemployed one. It must be said that it wasn’t due to my work but was a consequence of a business-related challenge that was beyond my control. Journalism is constantly evolving and it’s not uncommon for publications to go defunct or pivot. In fact, BuzzFeed News and MTV News both recently dismantled their newsrooms, and two major television networks fired their controversial “Primetime Provocateurs.”
But I’m only human. There are times, especially late at night while I’m tossing and turning, when I feel anxious about where my storytelling skills will take me next. Where do I fit in my career field? is a question I often ponder while sipping on my first cup of coffee in the morning. I knew that taking on a creative career would come with its fair share of obstacles, but I’m also very passionate about it, which makes it still worth pursuing. What made the layoff more difficult was that I was leaving behind not only a job I loved, but also a talented group of creators. Change, whether by choice or by circumstance, is an inevitable part of life. But this career shift doesn’t necessarily have to be a negative experience.
Sure, being laid off isn’t usually an ideal status, but it also leaves room to expand and grow as a person. To be honest, I became too comfortable in my previous job, leaving little room to shake up my everyday routine. Because this is not the first time I've been in this predicament (I experienced layoffs at my old job at a Strip restaurant for renovations and COVID), I'll describe how I flip my outlook from negative to positive. Believe it or not, there are several benefits to being in-between jobs that might not be obvious, especially when one is clouded by an overwhelming amount of grief and confusion for their past profession. It feels distressing at times to be out of work, but it’s important to see that when one door closes another one (or many others) will open.
More Time, More Opportunities
Without a fixed work schedule, I am given the gift of time. The 40+ hours per week that I previously dedicated to my former position are now open. While I may not receive as much money on unemployment, I do have more freedom to accomplish things that are meaningful to me that don’t require coinage. Being jobless puts everything in a new light. It offers room for more opportunities to spend time with loved ones, work on passion projects and explore other professional possibilities.
With nothing to lose and everything to gain, there’s no telling what exciting offers may come my way. Now that I don’t have an exclusive commitment to one company, I can put more effort into my own pursuits, which have great potential to attract success and personal enrichment. I’ve got no excuse to not draft my fantasy novel or get into shape. These are just a couple of goals I’m currently working towards.
Having concrete goals has kept my spirits high and my mind focused on what I have instead of what I don’t, which is unlimited creativity, high ambitions and keen curiosity. I recommend using this time to draw upon your strengths, hone your skills and further develop your unique interests.
An Unplanned Vacation
While I am applying for jobs, I am also reveling in this moment in time where I can rest and relax. There’s no alarm clocks set. There’s no work meetings. There’s no work emails. Instead, there is more time for sleep, more gas in my tank and more memories in the making. Who says you need money to have a good time? This layoff is also like an unplanned vacation in some ways. I won’t be unemployed forever so I am making the most out of my free time. I'm engaging in more exercise, reading, writing, and learning.
There may not be many other chances ahead for me to hit the reset button, so I am going to take advantage of this time to develop better habits and indulge in some inexpensive leisure. If you have the means to travel, do it! If you are in a position to take a class or join a club, do it! If you want to try a new recipe, do it! This is a wonderful time to experiment. I'll feel renewed when I start my new job because I made the most of a challenging situation, and I'll have more confidence because of it.
Side Note: I understand that it’s a privilege to see it this way and that not everyone has the ability to experience it as freely. Some people who struggle with health conditions and/or are raising children while in the midst of a layoff may not resonate with this sentiment. It could be far from a vacation for some. My layoff experience is not representative of all layoff circumstances, but I hope it gives anyone in this situation some solace in knowing they are not alone as they cope with the loss of their occupation.
A Chance to Show Yourself Grace
Most importantly, while you are undergoing some major life changes, show yourself grace. With more time on your hands, your mind may wander into some dark places. Collecting unemployment doesn’t mean failure or incompetence. The U.S. economy and job market are constantly shifting, which makes it difficult sometimes to secure work, especially in states that allow at-will employment, which is when workers have little to no protection to keep their jobs. And not all work fields offer unionized positions that serve the best interests of the employees. Sometimes businesses go under, and sometimes management changes, but that isn’t a reflection of you.
When you take a look at the U.S. economy itself, many financial experts have foreseen a recession in 2023. Open your web browser and search for "May 2023 recession.” You will see lots of news publications that have predicted this rocky economic state. According to U.S. News & World Report, "Geopolitical tensions, energy market imbalances, persistently high inflation, and rising interest rates have many investors and economists concerned that a U.S. recession is inevitable in 2023." Layoffs are just one aspect of a larger problem with our current economy.
In most cases, when you work for someone else, you are working to make someone else’s dream come true, as a wise friend once reminded me. Some of the most successful leaders of today have been laid off in the past. Now they run their own companies and work for themselves. Of course, starting a new business comes with its own set of complications, but the point is to take a moment to think about the best ways to serve your dreams, not someone else’s.
While I write this piece, I can’t help but think about actress Octavia Spencer’s 2017 commencement speech that she delivered at Ohio’s Kent State University.
“You’re going to continue to evolve in unforeseen ways. You are full of complexities and wonders that haven’t even begun to surface. Life’s unpredictability will draw these out and what defines you now will be mere shades and hues of a more vibrant you over the next five, 10, 50 years. Honestly, I can’t think of anything more liberating than that, knowing that life will look differently than you think it will.”
- Octavia Spencer