Job loss has a way of shaking the ground beneath your feet. Even when you know your value, a sudden change in employment can make you question who you are and what comes next. I have experienced this more than once. None of those moments were easy. Each time taught me more about security, about identity, and about the type of work that deserves my energy.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Preparation Is a Form of Building Security

Saving ahead of time matters. Not in a “just skip your latte” way, but in a “your future self will thank you for this” way. Having financial breathing room doesn’t erase the stress, it prevents panic. It allows calm thinking about next steps. Security takes planning.

I recognize that some may say they are barely making ends meet and cannot save for the future. I have been there. It’s up to you to decide to get started. Having the goal of saving 6-12 months of income (or more) can help you take control of your future. There are a lot of resources out there on approaches to this. A company will not keep you secure. You will keep yourself secure. The sooner you start, the more your money can add up.

2. Success Without Well-Being Isn’t Success

I realized how much I was worried about fitting in. Sometimes you only understand the weight of a workplace when you are not in it.

I worked in environments where politics took priority over people. In these places, saying yes mattered more than saying what was right. Survival became more important than contribution.

I also experienced what it feels like to have a leader who believes in you. They trust your talent. They give you ownership. They see your work. That contrast taught me this:

• A job that constantly drains you is not a “good successful job.”
• A job that supports and stretches you is.

Life is far too short to waste in a place that shrinks who you are. Now that I’ve had 50 years on this planet, this is even more clear to me. Life is so short.

3. Transitions Reveal the Truth About Connection

You build relationships in every workplace. Some fade quietly when the job ends. Others continue because they were built on something real. Each season has its people. Some stay. Some don’t. Both can be okay.

4. The Most Important Lessons Were Introspective

Transitions force you to look inward. I saw strengths I didn’t appreciate before, openness, courage, resourcefulness, and my ability to help people grow. I also saw parts of myself I want to work on, the need for control, the discomfort with uncertainty, and my tell it like it is approach.

Job loss reintroduced me to a version of myself that was stronger and clearer than the one before.

So What Now?

I don’t panic when change hits. I don’t attach my identity to a title. I understand that stability, security, and worth come from within, not from an employer.

A door closing can feel personal, but more often it means that you are meant for something different. That something different will likely be something much better.

Optional Thought Prompt:

What did your past roles prepare you for that you couldn’t see at the time?

Write down:

• Three strengths that helped you through a tough transition
• One intention for the future you’re building now

Your career has many chapters. Some of the most important ones start right after the page turns.

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