How Getting Laid Off Helped Me Redesign My Life and Career

At the end of June, I was laid off.

If you’ve ever experienced a layoff, you know the cocktail of emotions that comes with it—fear, uncertainty, maybe even relief. For me, it was all of that and more. After nearly nine years of feeling disengaged and dissatisfied in my corporate career, the layoff forced me to pause and reassess what I truly wanted for my life.

What started as anxiety and fear slowly turned into one of the most transformative seasons of my life.

The Wake-Up Call

For almost a decade, I tried different jobs and companies, but the result was always the same: I felt disconnected and uninspired. The layoff, while painful, became an opportunity to step away from the treadmill of corporate life.

In July, I took a solo trip to the beach—a quiet, grounding moment that gave me the space to reflect and journal. That’s when the first big insights hit me:

• My life is bigger than a job.

• Work doesn’t have to mean “corporate.” It can mean writing, freelancing, consulting, teaching, or creating.

• I can set stronger boundaries with my time.

• I don’t have to do everything myself—I can delegate.

• I can (and must) protect and honor my own needs.

• There are many ways to earn an income beyond selling my time for a fixed salary.

• Risk isn’t something to fear—it’s something I can embrace.

That shift in perspective was the pep talk I didn’t know I needed.

Learning to Let Go

The hardest part wasn’t the layoff—it was letting go of the ego tied to a “successful” corporate career. I realized I had been carrying the weight of responsibility for 24 years, both at work and as a mother. I had been over-functioning for my kids, taking on more than I should, and losing myself in the process.

Through journaling and therapy, I started redefining what “enough” looks like for me:

• A “good enough” job isn’t about title—it’s about fair pay for my time and expertise.

• I don’t have to be the breadwinner. It’s okay to lean on my partner, Frank, when necessary.

• My time is precious, especially in mid-life, and I need to filter commitments through my values.

I did a values exercise that revealed my top three:

1. Education – Learning and sharing knowledge.

2. Connection – Presence and meaningful engagement.

3. Self-expression – Living authentically and with self-acceptance.

Those became my new compass.

Rebuilding My Life

With the help of my mentors, Brent and Tom, I gave myself permission to enjoy the break. I organized my home, decluttered my inbox, and set aside time for joy, rest, and creativity.

I revisited the book Designing Your Life and used its exercises to brainstorm possibilities. After weeks of reflection, one clear path emerged:

I’m going back to school to pursue a Master’s in Counseling, with the long-term goal of becoming a published author and educator on personal growth, relationships, and connection.

In the meantime, I’ve taken on two part-time jobs (under 20 hours a week total), which allow me to extend my break and focus on my new pursuits. I’ll continue working on my project Filled Cups and explore leadership-development gigs, where I can leverage my corporate experience to help teams grow.

Living in Alignment

For the first time in my life, my work and values feel aligned.

These past two months have been filled with rest, joy, dancing, and self-care. I’m experimenting with new things, nurturing my creativity, and—most importantly—learning to trust myself.

I’m proud that instead of panicking and rushing back into another corporate role, I gave myself the chance to figure out what truly lights me up.

And here’s what I’ve discovered: a layoff can be a gift in disguise. It can be the reset button you didn’t know you needed to reinvent yourself and create a more authentic, fulfilling path forward.

Final Thoughts for Anyone Facing a Layoff

If you’ve been laid off and feel scared, stuck, or unsure of what’s next—take a breath. Give yourself time. Journal. Reflect. Ask yourself what you want life to look like outside the narrow lens of a corporate job.

Your layoff doesn’t have to be the end of the story. It might just be the beginning of the chapter where you finally get to live a life aligned with your values.