When I decided to go back to work after having my first baby, I knew it would be hard, but I decided the sacrifices would be worth the reward of continuing to advance in a career I loved. However, I was totally unprepared to get fired just a few months after returning to my job.
Getting let go is one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever had. But as someone who’s been through it and come out stronger, I’m here to remind you there is hope after layoffs. The bad news is there’s no way to handle getting the axe gracefully. The good news is, there are some pretty predictable stages you can expect to go through if you get fired.
1. Panic
I’ll always remember the day I walked into my boss’ office and saw the HR director sitting there with a slim folder of paperwork. My stomach immediately felt like it had dropped to the floor, my hands started shaking, my heart was racing, it was hard to breathe – in short, I was plunged into a panic attack.
2. Anger/Despair
I spent the next week see-sawing between rage and hopelessness, as I thought about all the hours I toiled away for my employer, and how that was time I could’ve been bonding with my daughter. I felt like my company immediately discounted my self-worth by kicking me to the curb so unceremoniously.
3. Joy
As the initial shock and stress wore off, I became increasingly aware of the positive aspects of getting fired. First and foremost, I got to spend much more quality time with my daughter, reading to her, playing with her and watching her grow right before my eyes. I felt freedom from the grind of my daily commute, the stress of dealing with incompetent co-workers and the monotony of pointless meetings. What’s more, I gained a new appreciation for my family and friends, who helped me bounce back from one of the roughest patches in my life. Today, I am happier, healthier and have a much more realistic outlook about my life.
As the saying goes, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” I survived getting laid off, and you (and your kids) will too. Working moms are some of the strongest people in the world! You have the inner strength to overcome any obstacle.