Fired? Laid Off? Remember, Your Job Doesn't Define You!

Regardless of where you get your news, headlines like “Trump administration fires thousands for ‘performance’ without evidence, in messy rush” (Washington Post), “Thousands fired in US government as Trump, Musk purge federal workers” (Reuters), and Layoffs Expand at Federal Agencies, Part of Trump Purge” (New York Times), beg the question, is anyone really surprised by the actions of a President whose catchphrase was YOU’RE FIRED!?  And, if you voted for him did you really think you’d be immune to losing your job?

Although it’s not just the government…companies who are planning layoffs in 2025 include Southwest Airlines, Chevron, and Kohl's. Other companies that have announced layoffs include Amazon, BP, Boeing, CNN, Meta, Microsoft, Salesforce, Spirit Airlines, Starbucks, Stripe…and, while the hospitality industry is generally expected to see a rebound in 2025, some companies, particularly in the travel sector, are anticipating layoffs, with Booking.com and other US-based travel companies planning workforce reductions. 

Even though firings and layoffs are nothing new, this latest job loss scenario feels particularly nasty and devoid of humanity. The lines between “laid off” - a company-wide decision, usually related to financial/economic issues, ownership/management changes, restructuring-- and “fired”-when an employee is terminated because of their own performance or behavior- have become conveniently blurred…but don’t get me started!  Not my mission here.

Whether you have been laid off, fired, terminated, “retired” or made redundant, losing your job can trigger a hornet’s nest of emotional responses due to the sudden loss of income, routine and even self-worth tied to your career. Dejection, betrayal, anger, anxiety, fear, sadness, shame, depression, confusion, panic, desperation… because you’re human, you are likely to experience one or more of these distressing feelings…nevertheless, how you deal with them will make all the difference in how you move forward.

Ask Google how to handle job loss and you will find a wealth of useful, practical information at your fingertips, and I encourage you to do so.  Here, what I’m most concerned about is your mental and emotional state, and how not to allow your spirit to be broken by acts beyond your control. I speak from personal experience, as well as years of coaching people through the initial shock of job loss to embracing change. I use the word “allow” because you do have a choice, even though it might not feel like it.

First and foremost, what has happened to you sucks! And you have a right to the feelings you’re experiencing…every one of them. So, don’t judge yourself…feel them!

Once I literally locked myself in my bedroom because my feelings were so overwhelming I was afraid of becoming an emotional werewolf, wreaking havoc on the environment, unable to control my emotions.  So, I lay down on the bed and focused on my breathing.  As the ugly chatter in my head started to slow down, I allowed myself to experience each feeling as it came up.  At one point I felt a rage so white-hot I imagined lightning bolts were shooting out of my fingers. A powerful tool, the imagination…made me feel like Wonder Woman.

Through it all, I kept telling myself over and over again, “Just feel it…you don’t have to take it out on anyone…just feel it.”  Eventually, I fell asleep, and when I awoke, I felt more like myself again, and not the zombie who got shocked down a rabbit hole of negativity. 

All too often we define ourselves by our jobs. YOU ARE NOT YOUR JOB, and it’s vital you remind yourself of that. It’s also vital to remind yourself that YOU ARE BETWEEN JOBS.  All the emotions that accompany job loss can make you feel defeated…so keep in mind, this is a temporary situation.  And give yourself some time to work through the waves of shock…you will get stronger each time you do.

Throw out a lifeline and reach out for support from friends, family, a therapist, counselor, spiritual advisor…whomever you feel you can share your feelings with.

Create your own sense of stability by maintaining a daily routine that includes taking good care of yourself, eating right, getting enough sleep, updating your resume, networking, and…

"Always remember, you're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" --Christopher Robin.