Surviving The Loss Of A Job…

My thoughts on losing the last job I will ever have.

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Next week will mark the one year anniversary of the day I got laid off from my “real” job. A job I loved and where I made a decent salary, had great benefits and made a ton of friends, both in the company and the businesses I serviced. It really was one of the worse days in my life.

I remember the day like it was yesterday. It was a day much like today, still some snow on the ground from the last snow and very cold. We were told to be on a conference call, so I got all my work done, prepared for my store visit that day, showered, ate my breakfast and was dressed waiting to get on the call. I dialed in to the call at 10:00 and by 10:30 (maybe even 10:15) I was unemployed. No explanation, no apologies, no nothing. I was in shock as were the rest us that lost our jobs that day. The rest of the day was spent calling and texting each other to make some sort of sense out of a senseless situation.

There were no signs that this would happen, it truly came out of no where. The company just had another great year. Profits were up (thanks in part to us) and things were going very well. Of course there are always rumblings of something going on at a job and a few changes had already been made but we had been assured we were safe.

The sudden loss of anything forces you to think what you could have done differently, why did this happen to you…and all the other millions of questions that come to mind. I myself had just gone through one of the toughest years of my life, having lost my mother and my sister, my daughter and three grandsons moving over 10 hours away and my best friend moving to Florida. So by the time I got this call I was already done, this just shut the lid on the coffin.

This job was the most favorite job I had ever had!  I told everyone, I saved the best job for last. Being in my 60’s when I was hired, I knew I would retire from this company and that it was indeed the best one to retire from in so many ways. I worked very hard for them, probably harder for them than any other job I ever had. I worked far more hours than I was supposed to, worked long into the night many nights and missed a lot of family and friends gatherings. I also missed watching my grandkids at their sporting events, because of it. But I told myself it was ok, it was for a good reason, I was paid well, I loved it and they valued me. Sadly I found out that was not the case. Losing the job made me realize they never really valued me in the first place or they couldn’t have just thrown me away like they did.

So how do you come back from losses such as this? I admit, I did a lot of feeling sorry for myself the first few days. I did a lot of soul searching, what did I want to do now that I had the time to do it? I was 9 months shy of full retirement, so it would not be easy to find a job at this point in my life and did I really want one? I thought about it a lot while searching the help wanted ads and sending out some resumes. What’s next, what do I do? I always wanted to write and so a week to the day after that terrible phone call, I posted my first blog post. Writing this blog has truly helped me get over all the feelings I was now feeling..those of inadequacy, loss and depression. I also signed up for unemployment and took Social Security in September. I decided to see what retirement was like. I must say it is fabulous.

Here are few final thoughts on the subject:

1. It’s just a job. It doesn’t define you or make you what you are. You can’t find what you are meant to be in any job. This comes from within and it is up to you to decide what that means to you. I have heard people say if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life. While that may be true, it doesn’t always pay the bills. But we can certainly work for people who value us and enable us to live a life outside of work.

2. I could never make plans while working there. Even short term plans. I hadn’t been able to even schedule a dentist appointment as my schedule was always in flux. Having lunch or dinner with family and friends was really hit or miss. Most of the time even if I made it there at all, I was late. Now I have these regularly and realize what I was missing by working so hard and what I had given up for this company by doing so. I will never give up what is important to me for anyone or anything again.

3. We never know in this life what the next day will bring, so we need to live in the moment we are in right now. This moment… it’s all we have. Make the most of it!  Do what truly brings you happiness and joy. And spend time with the people you love!

I love this quote I found, “Throw me to the wolves and I will return leading the pack.” ~Unknown

 

 

40 thoughts on “Surviving The Loss Of A Job…

  1. I can totally relate. I had a very similar situation happen to me once. It was devastating for sure but you are so right. It doesn’t define you as a person. Thanks for sharing this. I’m sure lots of folks like me will be reading it thinking wow, it didn’t just happen to me.

    1. Thank you for your comments…and yes I have found many blessings and have moved on…glad you liked it..

    1. Thank you Alana! I think it is an awesome quote…and I feel like I am the head of the pack already…

  2. I know how you felt. I know what it is like to have a job and then it’s gone. However, once the shock goes away you realize that it is just a job. You will survive. Keep moving forward.

  3. Your closing quote fits you perfectly! So proud of how you have not only bounced back, but flourished, this past year.

  4. Love this post and totally agree. Early in my career I lost a job I loved with no excuse other than they wanted me to put in more than the 60+ hours a week I was already working. I was devastated. But it really helped me think of my own priorities for myself as well as my career. It lead to an entirely new adventure, a new path and that’s something I’m super grateful now years later.

    1. Katy, yes, it is hard but sometimes things work out exactly how they were supposed to without us knowing…and thank you for sharing your comments..

  5. I can relate. I recently got fired from a position. My first time getting fired. They were very surprised with my reaction. I had taken so much abuse, I was very proud of having stood up for myself. I’ve been through worst. I’ll figure it out.

  6. I love that you were able to find the positives out of such a frustrating situation. Sometimes, while it’s hard to understand it in the moment, when one door closes, other doors open.

  7. I’m sure very bright things are ahead for you 🙂 . And, I actually DO believe in the quote, if you do what you love you never work a day in your life. Because you can make $ doing what you love. My husband and I have done just that. We LOVE to travel and our business is our income. We love what we do, and yes it is VERY hard work, but it’s a joy and doesn’t feel like work, which I believe is what that quote is saying. I hope that inspires you to do what you are passionate about and know you can make a living doing so! If travel is your passion, I’d be happy to let you know how we created our life. Great post!
    Danielle Greco – AccordingtoD.com

  8. I’m so sorry about your job but I love your optimism. I also try to find the good in the bad. You never know what surprises may be hiding around the corner! Good luck!

  9. What an awesome quote! I have to say that the decision of launching my very own dog walking/pet service business last year was one of the best decisions of my entire life. Now I don’t answer to anyone but myself, and certainly don’t have to be worried about being fired. Life can be pretty good 😉

  10. I’m sorry what you went through. *HUGS* I knew someone that got laid off 3 weeks before Christmas. I thought that was heartless. P.S. Love that quote!

  11. Great blog post, Renee!! I’m sorry you had to go through this & come to the realization that they really didn’t value who you truly are & how you were such a valuable asset to their company! Unfortunately, you aren’t alone. Many places of business talk a good game & want the public to think they’re such a great company to work for & that their employees come first but eventually the ugly truth comes out!! Your writing is your passion & it certainly shows!! Thank you!! 🙂

  12. wow, is it a year already? That does suck but you see if so often nowadays. My brother had almost 30 yrs in United Way of York and it happened to him a couple months ago.He devoted his whole LIFE to that job, everyone in the community knew him and praised him for his work ethics, etc. and just boom, one day its OVER. He was going to fight it, but don’t think he is now. Guess it has something more to do with paying retirements, pensions or whatever I’m thinking. Very sad when you love the job you’re doing and this happens. But you’re prevailing kiddo and we love ya big time. I know it hurts though. And yep, seize the moment, we never know what tomorrow will bring.

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