I was laid off
Well, this is something I didn’t expect to write about.
Well, this is something I didn’t expect to write about. I was laid off.
Last Tuesday afternoon, the company I worked at for 30 years decided to let me go. Let me repeat that: 30 years. To say this came as a shock is an understatement. The remainder of the week has been an emotional roller coaster. When I went to the bank to deposit my final pay and severance checks, it honestly broke me. I’ve been going through all the stages of grief over these last few days, including today. It’s Sunday as I write this.
Why am I writing this?
Well, I'm writing this to get it out, to work through what I’m going through, and maybe if I share my experience here, the next person this happens to will know they’re not alone. What you are going through is normal. It’s going to hurt. Take the time you need to go through it. I am. I’m not going to be rushing to make any decisions right now. I’m not in the right headspace to do it.
I am very lucky to have a loving and supportive wife who has been a rock through all this. She knows what I’m going through; she’s been there. I’ve also received many words of encouragement and advice from family, friends, and random people on social media. Thank you very much. It means a lot.
Oh, before I forget. If you know me and the company I’m talking about, please do not bother them. I’m proud of the work I did for them, and I like the people I worked with and all the clients I worked for, and I wish them the best. That doesn't mean I’m still not angry about it.
What do I do next?
I honestly don’t know. I have to relearn how to build a resume and figure out how to distill 30 years of experience in doing so many different things into it.
When I started, I was coding database application software for DOS. I transitioned to database web applications, occasionally worked on hardware control systems, and finally, built and managed WordPress websites. I evolved with the company, or so I thought.
With all the self-doubt I’m going through right now, I don’t even know if I want to. I live in rural Oklahoma, in a town I love, and I have no desire to relocate. Plus, I’m 56. I have to start all over? It’s overwhelming. Thus, my decision not to rush. I’ve got time.
What can I do now?
One of the first things I did was cancel and unsubscribe from all extras. We can live without Netflix, Disney+, etc., which will leave regular household bills.
I’ll need to contact my retirement fund manager sometime this week to determine the next steps regarding that.
Finally, I need to update my LinkedIn profile, organize my resume, and learn how to apply for jobs again.
What does this mean for Blog Oklahoma?
Though I can’t promise a weekly newsletter at this moment, I plan to continue with it. I consider it my tiny bit of normalcy. Plus, life goes on. There are elections coming and politics to rant about. Ha!
If you would like to support me for this newsletter and everything I do with Blog Oklahoma, I’ve turned subscriptions back on. You can also support me at ko-fi.com/blogoklahoma.
I thank each and every one of you.
More later. Time to …
K.
I can't "like" this post, but I so appreciate your honesty. I'm rooting for you. Appreciate you!
Hey,
I had seen your post on Mastodon and want to share some encouragement.
I worked for almost 15 years at a healthcare company, became disabled, my productivity dropped, and was let go.
Yes, it is a grieving process. You will feel bewildered at the decades of change while you didn’t have to apply elsewhere. But you will learn, get your footing, and walk again into a new role.
I’ve been listening to this audiobook. May it help you also.
Entry-Level Boss by Alexa Shoen:
https://www.audible.com/pd/1250754119?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006&share_location=player_overflow
Cheers.