Layoff emotions are overwhelming, but their a way through
Life has its ups and downs, and unfortunately, layoffs are often a professional trauma experience. It knocks us down from the top of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs to the basic level. It drops us from feeling self-actualized to grasping if we will have our basic needs met. This trauma takes time to heal and recover. Sadly, during a layoff you aren’t alone in the process, and it’s crucial to keep contact with people around you and avoid isolation.
Understanding Layoff Grief
The journey through grief after a layoff can be tough, yet it’s also a path that can lead to growth and new opportunities.
Losing a job is not just about the loss of income. It’s an emotional upheaval that can affect your identity and self-worth.
Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, “Why does this hurt so much?” It’s because work is more than just a paycheck; it’s part of who we are. Grieving a layoff involves stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
Denial can look like disbelief, confusion, shock, etc. Take the time you need to have this new settle. It’s unimaginable the thoughts and emotions that might be going through your mind. Take your time.
Anger will show up in outbursts, silence, internal fuming, physical pain, being short, etc. recognize you’re in the grief cycle because something traumatic happened to you. It was outside of your control and you’re left with the emotional burden of processing this trauma.
Bargaining will look like wanting to have a give and take conversations, negative self-talk, blaming, etc. You’re hurting and it’s because what was once yours is lost and it left without closure. Take time and recognize you didn’t have control over this situation, you are a victim.
Depression looks like loss of appetitive or interest, negative self-talk, etc. You have to make time to mourn the relationships, community, security of the workplace.
Acceptance, once you’ve given yourself time and space to process and feel your grief and shock, you can come towards accepting what happened to you was not planned and it is part of the process, make peace with yourself and your workplace, then you can start moving forward.
This journey isn’t linear, you can feel all at once, you can skip stages, or you can jump from one stage to another. It’s about giving yourself time and permission to understand these emotions.
Embrace Your Emotions
The first step is to acknowledge and embrace your emotions.
It’s okay to feel upset, frustrated, or even scared. In fact, it’s completely normal.
Do you feel like crying? Let it out.
Holding back emotions can hinder your healing process. Allow yourself to grieve. Remember, it’s okay not to be okay.
Create a Support System
Now, let’s talk about your support network.
Who can you lean on during this time? Friends and family are there to help, so reach out to them. Share your experiences and feelings. Sometimes, just talking about what’s on your mind can bring relief. Speak with a coach, counselor, therapist, just don’t bottle it up.
Considered joining a support group, connecting with others who have been through similar experiences can be incredibly comforting.
If you’re in the healing process, take your time to heal. Your healing should take priority, it may take a week or two or longer.
Give yourself permission to feel and process your emotions, and then. . .
Reflect and Reassess
After acknowledging your emotions, take some time to reflect.
It’s important to reassess your career goals and personal aspirations. Journaling is a great tool during reflection.
What did you love most about your previous job?
What would you like to do differently in your next role?
What transferrable skills have you built?
What is your end goal as you reassess your future goals?
This period of reflection can be enlightening and can guide you toward a new path. Express yourself throughout this process and you’ll find clarity and confidence.
Practice Mindfulness
In times of stress, mindfulness can be a powerful ally. Grief has a way of returning until the professional trauma of the layoff is fully healed and process. Meanwhile, practicing meditation/mindfulness activities can help you manage the emotional journey better.
Have you ever tried meditation or deep-breathing exercises?
Taking a few moments each day to focus on your breath and be present can significantly reduce anxiety and improve your overall well-being. Mindfulness practices have been shown to improve mental health and resilience during challenging times.
Reflect, Reassess and Set New Goals
Once you’ve had some time to reflect, it’s time to set new goals.
What do you want to achieve in the next few months?
How about in the next year?
Setting small, achievable goals can help you regain a sense of control and direction. Start with simple steps like updating your resume or learning a new skill.
Remember, progress is progress no matter where you start.
As you set your goals, develop a plan to help you acheive your goals – It’s crucial to maintain a positive mindset.
Yes, it can be hard, but persistence is key.
Every setback is an opportunity for a comeback.
Resilience is the foundation of long-term success.
Take Care of Yourself
don’t forget to take care of yourself.
This includes both your physical and mental health.
Are you eating well?
Getting enough sleep?
Exercising regularly?
These simple acts of self-care can have a profound impact on your mood and energy levels.
You’ll recover faster and accomplish your goals easier if you give yourself time to heal. Dropping from the top of Maslow’s Hierarchy is traumatic, but you already know the way back to the top. Don’t sabotage your recovery and success by bottling up your emotions. Feel it, embrace it, learn from it, and take care of yourself first. Everything else will come, and if you want to coach to help you get to your goals faster, schedule a consultation.
