The phrase "I got laid off" evokes many different thoughts and feelings. When you hear those words, you likely think about blue-collar workers or the years after the recession. You're first instinct is likely to say "I'm so sorry," but you probably don't know what to say after that. You probably don't picture a 26-year old, successful, social media professional just starting to leave her mark in her field. But that's my story.
Just four or so years into my career, I've had the uncommon experience of being laid off. Not once, but twice.
I want to share my story for a couple reasons. First of all, I've found that there's a weird expectation to keep quiet about it. There's an unspoken connotation with the words "laid off": shame. And with shame comes the desire to share the news with only your closest friends and family. I've heard stories of spouses sticking to their normal routine after being laid off, hiding the news from their partners until they found another job. I've known friends who have only shared their news through hushed conversations and the directive to not share the news with anyone else. There's this cultural idea that not having a job makes you less of a person. But that's simply not true.
I want to tell you a different story. I don't feel shame about not having a job. Sure, it's a little weird when I'm at a party and someone asks me what I do. But why should I feel uncomfortable sharing that I'm between jobs? I've realized that so much of society's narrative of who we are, our identity, is rooted in what we DO. While I'll be the first to tell you that my career drives me, challenges me, and is a point of passion for me, I also need to realize that it's not everything that I am. And most importantly, it doesn't define who I am -- it only tells a part of my story.
Getting laid off is heart-wrenching, especially when it's abrupt. Walking into an office and seeing an HR professional with a thick packet of papers and being told "we're eliminating your position" is crushing. Being handed a cardboard box to pack up your things and walking through the halls seeing the pity on the faces of your coworkers is traumatizing. But it's not defining.
What IS defining is how you look at yourself after that moment. What IS defining is how you pick up the pieces and find your new dream. What IS defining is how you use the time to create a new story.
I'm looking at this time not as an end or an in-between, but as the start of some exciting new story I have yet to write. This fresh break shakes me up just enough to dislodge me from simply following the expected path and causes me to rethink where I'm going.
Sometimes, the things that look like disasters are truly blessings in disguise. I'm thankful that God has a plan and I'm confident that he's going to use this change to do something big. As I heard someone say earlier this week,"If your "why" doesn't make you cry, it's not big enough." I'm setting out to find my "why."
I hope you'll join me on my journey.
As I figure out what's next, I would love your help! If you have any thoughts, advice, connections or opportunities, feel free to reach out. My email is kelskruzel@gmail.com. Prayers are always appreciated!
