Getting Laid Off Can Feel Like Losing a Part of Yourself

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲.

They mess with your head.

A colleague recently shared research showing how major career events — promotions, job changes, retirement, layoffs — can create real mental health swings.

And the one that hit me hardest?

Being fired or made redundant had a mental health impact comparable to the death of a close friend.

That is not “just losing a job.”

That is identity loss.

Routine loss.

Confidence loss.

Financial fear.

Family pressure.

A full-body punch.

I know because I lived it.

Back during the 2008 financial crisis, I was part of a downsizing at Johnson Controls in Los Angeles.

On paper, I was at a career crossroads.

In reality?

I was spiraling.

Anxiety had the wheel.

Not “I’m a little stressed” anxiety.

I mean the kind that makes your body feel hijacked.

The kind that makes leaving the house hard.

The kind that makes your brain feel like it turned against you.

The kind that makes you wonder when the next panic attack is coming.

Bills. Family. Career. Moving. Identity.

All of it got swallowed by one big villain.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

Career events usually aren’t single events.

They are processes.

The burnout starts before the resignation.

The disengagement starts before the retirement.

The fear starts before the layoff.

The confidence crack starts before the job search.

And the comeback usually starts with one tiny move.

For me, it was one change.

Then another.

A schedule.

Exercise.

Healthier eating.

Community.

Faith.

Meditation.

Volunteering.

Friends.

Building my business.

Losing 100 pounds the slow way.

Rebuilding confidence one brick at a time.

That is why I care so deeply about career coaching.

Because when someone comes to me after a layoff, career pivot, toxic workplace, stalled search, or confidence collapse, I do not just see a resume problem.

I see a human being trying to get their footing back.

Your career is tied to your mental health.

Your job search is tied to your identity.

Your next move is tied to your confidence.

So if you are in that messy middle right now, please hear me:

You are not broken.

You are in transition.

And transition can be painful before it becomes transformational.

Start with one thing.

One resume update.

One honest conversation.

One walk.

One recruiter message.

One application.

One LinkedIn post.

One moment where you decide the villain does not get the final word.

Go make your change.

Your future career isn’t random—it’s reverse-engineered by smart planning today. 🔧💪 Ready to start mapping yours? ✍️ Want help making yours stand out? Let’s build something awesome together. Book a chat with Matt at → https://calendly.com/mjwcareers and get you some “Matt Magic” (my clients’ words, not mine). 💼

Chime in here!

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