How I restored my confidence after a layoff
This closure and rebuilding strategy is what I recommend to my clients
Has your confidence been knocked down by something that happened to you at work?
We've all been there, and let me tell you, it's completely normal to feel shaken after experiencing workplace trauma, layoff, or firing.
When I got laid off during the pandemic, I found myself struggling with unexpected grief.
No goodbyes, no hugs, just... silence.
The office where I'd spent years of my life suddenly became unreachable, like a theater set that had been struck after the final performance. People I spent every day with, who helped welcome my son into the world, who came to my Dad’s funeral – gone.
But here's what I learned: healing requires intentional closure.
What worked for me that might work for you too:
The Letter Writing Ritual
I wrote letters to everyone I needed to say goodbye to - not to send, but to release. Then (here's the cathartic part), I burned them and sent them down the garbage disposal. Dramatic? Maybe. Healing? Absolutely.
The Gratitude Shift
Every morning, I practiced gratitude for that job. I journaled about:
Skills I gained
Relationships I built
Experiences that shaped me
This simple practice transformed my bitter energy into something more constructive.
But then I needed something more. I needed ways to get out of my head all the time. I needed ways to get grounded.
I recommend:
Morning walks
Journaling
Movement practices, like yoga or pilates or dancing
Why is this so crucial, especially if you're job searching?
Because let's be honest - the job search process can feel like being in an emotional boxing ring. Each rejection, each "not quite right" can feel like a personal hit. But when you're grounded in your worth, these hits don't knock you down as hard.
What I would love to see you do:
Create your closure ritual (it doesn't have to involve fire!)
Start a daily gratitude practice focused on what you appreciate in your life
Choose one grounding practice and commit to it for 30 days
Document your journey - notice how your energy shifts
Your confidence isn't built in grand moments; it's cultivated in daily practices that remind you of your inherent worth.
Remember this: The job search process is testing your resilience, not your value.
Your worth isn't determined by your employment status or others' opinions of your experience.
Stay connected to yourself. Stay grounded in your truth. The right opportunity will recognize what you bring to the table.
Good luck out there, my friends. I am always rooting for you!