Feeling Lost After a Layoff?

When you get laid off from your work, the sense that your world shrank is real.

You aren’t going to see your work friends nearly as much. You won’t visit that coffee shop across from the office in the middle of the day. You won’t be able to finish the projects you poured your heart and soul into.

A chunk of your life disappeared, either by video call, email, or a stiff and sterile meeting with HR.

And now, it’s easy to feel like your world became small. You have so many obligations—family, home, bills. What can you possibly do at a moment that feels so dangerous?

More than you think.

What if I told you that, actually, your world became bigger? You’re probably wondering, how in the world is this possible?

It’s possible because the invisible shackles that you thought had around you are now off. It’s freedom, in a real and tangible way.

No doubt, this is a scary time for you. Fears, worries and anxieties are all over the place. Here’s what I want you to know: It’s an exciting time that’s full of possibilities, once you harness them well.

How can you make this freedom work for you?

Start here: Don’t go it alone

When you’ve been laid off, the desire to retreat is natural and understandable. You’ve suffered a big loss, and you want to heal your wounds. But here’s a step worth taking—reach out to people.

One of the first moves in making that newfound freedom work for you is tapping into your network, and reconnect with the people who know you—friends, colleagues, mentors, even former managers. Those quick, “hey how are you doing” check-in messages may seem small.  But those are the first foundations of the bridge you want to build to get to the place you want to be.
You’re not asking for favors, but you’re starting conversations. Some of these chats will bring up ideas, inspiration, or even leads. Other times, they serve to remind you that you’re not alone in an uncertain time. And in a daunting time for you, that reminder is like gold.

Use this moment to widen your lens

Could this season of uncertainty be the time where you explore a backup plan—or even a calling? What old hobby, side project or skill is sitting over in the corner gathering dust? Is this the time for you to bring that out, blow off that dust, and make something special happen?

Backup plans and callings are more than fallback options or far-off dreams—they can become new possibilities for you. A backup plan might look like taking a class, exploring a certification, or freelancing in a space you’ve been curious about. A calling might be something more personal for you—a creative pursuit, a passion for mentoring, or a long-standing desire to work in a mission-driven field.

Both can give you a sense direction and control in this unpredictable time. They give you space to explore, test ideas, and even rediscover parts of yourself that had to go quiet while you were busy with your old job.

This kind of exploration is not an all-or-nothing deal. It can unfold alongside your job search, giving you meaning and momentum while you fill out those job applications. It’s also another way to make this freedom work for you—because you choose to see it as an open door and not a closed one.

Believe that this moment isn’t the end

This particular moment you find yourself in is more than a pause—it’s a turning point for you. The next job you land might bring more flexibility, more purpose, or just more breathing room. A new path can reveal itself through a conversation, a volunteer project, or a risk you finally feel ready to take. As you move through this chapter, you’ll come across people—mentors, collaborators, cheerleaders—who become essential to your journey. They may not have been part of your story before, but now, they’re helping you write it.

You may not have chosen to be in this moment, but you can choose how you move through it. And that’s where your power lies. While the job hunt might still be ongoing, this season can be about more than just getting back to work. It can be about getting back to you—your interests, your values, your voice. Maybe even redefining what success looks like on your own terms.

One last thing. None of this has to happen overnight (although it may feel like it has to). Some days will feel heavy. Some applications will go unanswered. But if you keep showing up with curiosity, grace, and connection, small wins will start to stack up. You’ll build momentum. And in time, you might look back and realize this wasn’t the moment your world got smaller—it was the moment it started to expand in ways you didn’t yet know were possible.

I’m Richard Taliaferro. I’m a certified career and health coach specializing in helping mid-stage professionals gain clarity on their career journey. I’ve written a guide on how to escape the work hamster wheel. Click here to download yours.