How to Heal from Job Loss
A trauma survivor’s guide.
“I feel worthless,” she said, turning away from her webcam to wipe away a tear.
“I didn’t even like that job… why am I so tired and depressed?”
“I know I need a job but I can barely get out of bed to keep applying.”
“My worldview is just… crushed. When will I feel safe again?”
Since writing a piece on how our jobs will never love us back despite our best efforts, I’ve heard from people all over the world just like her.
I’m hearing from people laid off from jobs that they held for years.
I’m hearing from people who sacrificed free time and sanity for unhealthy or toxic work environments, only to find themselves jobless.
I’m hearing from people dealing with the painful realization that they were more loyal than their job ever could be to them.
As a trauma survivor and a trauma-informed educator, I know what I’m witnessing:
Trauma.
Losing a job is traumatic. Full stop.
There is no minimizing this fact.
As much as you might say it’s “not really a big deal” or try to gaslight yourself into thinking you shouldn’t be impacted by a…
