When Life Throws You a Curveball: Coping with Redundancy
I was lucky enough to be made redundant when life was good. I was enjoying maternity leave with baby number two and so I was living in this motherhood bubble of sleepless nights and long sunny days.
I know that facing redundancy can be a daunting and challenging experience. Suddenly finding yourself without a job can cause emotional distress and uncertainty about the future. However, it’s important to remember that when life throws you a curveball, like redundancy, you have more control than you initially realise.
At first, you go through the emotional rollercoaster of ‘what now?’ as well as focusing on the practical implications of no longer being employed. Your sudden change in status can disrupt your sense of identity and purpose, which for some knocks their confidence and gives their inner critic permission to talk incessantly about how uncertain the future now is.
However, how you choose to move forward is up to you. You can dwell on what has happened and stay stuck. Or, you can choose to get in the driver’s seat and decide what happens next.
Recognise and acknowledge what has happened
Being made redundant, especially if you weren’t expecting it, can feel like you’ve been bereaved. This means you need to give yourself some time to acknowledge what has happened and allow yourself to feel all the emotions that come with it.
I am not giving you permission to dwell. I am simply saying that you need to show yourself some compassion. You are experiencing a big change and you need time to process what has happened.
Take some time to work through your feelings and understand them.
Accept where you are now
You will not be able to let go and therefore move on unless you accept where you are right now. Using up energy trying to undo what has been done is a waste of effort. Instead, refocus your mind to accept where you are right now.
Being made redundant doesn’t mean you have failed or you’re no good at your job. It’s just a circumstance that you now find yourself in. Circumstances are neutral until we give them meaning. Only you can decide what that is. Choose a meaning that allows you to close this chapter of your life so you can let go and move on.
Find the silver lining
What happens next is down to you. You can choose to focus on what you think has been done to you and see what impact that has on your options. Or, you can choose to see this as an opportunity.
When I went through redundancy, I initially thought I was just going to apply for another corporate job. Wrong. Taking the time to see what options were available to me, and by working with an awesome life coach, led me down a different path.
Now that you’ve been made redundant, what opportunities are you free to explore?
Networking and building connections
This period of your life doesn’t have to feel lonely and you don’t have to figure things out in isolation. Look at who’s around you and who might be able to help. And I don’t necessarily mean who can give you a job.
It’s time to start having conversations.
Find out what is going on in the world and how you can help. The more conversations you have the more knowledge you will acquire which will help you make decisions later on.
Take action
It’s decision time. What are you going to do next? Decide which small actions you need to take to move you towards what you want.
Whatever your decision is, the only way it will become reality is by taking action. So make a plan and stick to it.
While redundancy may feel like a setback, it can also be a catalyst for personal growth and new beginnings. It’s all about how you view life. It may sound tiresome but if you view life through a positive lens it will feel better than if you choose to dwell. So I encourage you to take some time to acknowledge where you are and show yourself some self-compassion and then take the action that will get you to where you want to be.
How will you manage redundancy?
You might also like to read, How to Stop Second-Guessing Yourself and Start Living Boldly
To find out how I can help, click the LINK and book a complimentary 30 minute discovery call.
If you can relate then follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
If you enjoyed reading my blog then share it on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
