Whether youve been laid off one time or five times, its always a frustrating experience.
Heres what Ive learned.
The first couple of days after the layoff were mentally draining.
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I had a massive headache, and my eyes were puffy from crying on and off.
My brain was still processing the news, making it difficult to concentrate on anything else.
I didnt answer my emails or phone calls and spent the rainy days watching Netflix.
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I had no idea that losing a job would feel so much like an actual loss.
And while I was clearly devastated and at home, the layoff still felt like a bad dream.
Most of us are in denial [when we lose something], international career expertJudith Gerbergtells SELF.
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Because we dont want to believe that things could change beyond our control.
Do what feels best for you.
That said, she advises to keep the leave of absence short and get back on the horse.
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But as someone who genuinely enjoys being busy, it all got old really fast.
Its so much more common now to lose a job, everyone has stories, says Gerberg.
Ask if they had a similar experience and what inspiring things they did to handle it.
Also, throughout my journey, I found networking events to be surprisingly encouraging.
Speaking with colleagues gave me the extra motivation to keep going.
It felt weird not getting up with the rest of the world to head into work.
Now that you have all this time, what do you do with it?
Finding a workspace with little-to-no distractions posed another challenge.
It took weeks to adjust to my new reality and find a cushy new work spot.
After all, there were definitely no excuses for skipping a workout!
Of course, working out has its fair share of benefits.
It also gave me something to look forward to throughout my day.
Most days, my motivation kicked into high gear, and I was actively on the prowl for work.
Find people who will give you positive feedback and ask what they see as your strengths, says Gerberg.
I was so thankful for my friends and family who stuck by my side throughout the journey.
Do your best to prevent that from happening.
Your friends and family mean well, but they cant predict your mood each day.
Im a single, healthy 20-something with limited expenses.
Not everyone has that, so when frustration hits, remind yourself of what you have.
The human condition is ‘shouldve, couldve, wouldve,’ says Gerberg.
Gerberg suggests finding an outlet for anger like writing in a journal or drawing.
When I was let go, I tried to stay positive about the situation.
It doesnt work like that.
I forgot how competitive my field is, and every rejection I received impacted my confidence.
Youll stay connected with your abilities and skills.
It gave me the chance to reflect on my career goals in hopes of landing in a better position.
