Grief AND Opportunity From Job Loss

We are in an economic period where lots of people are losing their jobs for one reason or another. It’s stressful if you’re experiencing a loss or wondering if you’re next.

The end of a job is not comparable to the end of a life, but if you’ve been through one of these events, you likely can recognize many parallel emotional similarities - anger, disbelief, and denial. We grieve a loss.

For most of us, a job is more than just a way to make money. Our career paths reflect our values and purpose. Jobs are expressions of our identity. And sudden job loss can disrupt a daily routine, disconnect us from work friends, and upend financial stability. In consort, the experience can feel quite scary. The following is an excerpt from a a beautiful blog on grief that describes the feeling:

“The grief arrives then, not as a sweeping wave but as a seeping pool, bubbling up in the hollows of my chest. It’s not the grief of a gravestone or a final goodbye. It’s something murkier, something society doesn’t name: the mourning of a life that might never unfold as I foreseen…A grief unseen, unspoken, uninvited, and unresolved.”

We definitely need the support of caring people around us when we go through job loss; especially when it’s unexpected. As noted in a recent article on this topic in the Atlantic,

“Slowly and unsurely, mourners step back into the known world. And we who stand beside them let them know that just as we were here for them before the loss, we will be here for them after it. Those who lose their job need those reminders too.”

AND job loss also leads to opportunity!

We each come out of job loss in different ways. Per the quote above, we step back into a more known world. In retrospect, we come to realize opportunity in the form of:

1. Unexpected Doors to Reinvention, Growth.

History and research show that *how we respond* to job loss disruption often unlocks unforeseen opportunities.

2. Career Reinvention: The Chance to Pursue Purpose.

Job loss can force a pause to reevaluate what truly matters. A 2022 LinkedIn survey found that 85 percent of professionals who switched careers post-layoff reported greater fulfillment, even if they took a pay cut initially.

3. Entrepreneurship: Building Something New.

Economic downturns often spark innovation. A Kauffman Foundation study found that 55 percent of Fortune 500 companies launched during recessions (e.g., Airbnb, Uber). Check out the following:

4. Upskilling: Future-Proofing Your Value.

Job loss can be a “forced investment” in education. Workers who train during unemployment see 23 percent higher earnings long-term (National Bureau of Labor).

5. Improved Work-Life Balance.

Escaping toxic or unsustainable workplaces can improve mental health. A Harvard study found that 62 percent of workers who left high-stress jobs reported better relationships and sleep.

6. Financial Resilience and Creativity.

Job loss forces a rethink of financial habits. While challenging, it can lead to:

Side Hustles: 45 percent of Americans now have gig work income (Bankrate).

Debt Reduction 34 percent of laid-off workers prioritize paying off loans post-job loss (CIBC).

7. Community and Networking.

Job loss often strengthens social bonds. People lean on networks, and alumni.

Job loss, while painful, steals time only if we let it. The most resilient professionals use this moment to:

Reflect: What did I love/hate about my job?

Experiment: Test hustle, certification, or internship.

Connect: Lean on communities - your next opportunity might come from a connection

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now,

- Lorne

One Millennial View: Job loss and unsureness are always worrisome, especially in the moment when you’re missing a destination and you’re not positive what direction you’re heading next. It’s an uncomfortable thought exercise, but asking yourself what you’d do if your position was no longer needed is (while taxing) a healthy thing to do. And I don’t want to do it, either. But, like Yogi Berra famously said, “if you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else.” What a fun start to the month!

- Garrett

AI Response: Job loss, while devastating, often catalyzes transformative change. Research shows that 72% of workers who experienced layoffs later reported feeling happier in new roles (Indeed, 2023), and a MIT study revealed that 80% of career shifts post-job loss aligned more closely with personal values. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that over 50% of workers who pursued retraining during unemployment secured higher-paying jobs within a year. The psychological toll is real—60% of laid-off employees initially face anxiety (APA, 2022)—but resilience pays off: 40% of startups founded during downturns survive long-term (Kauffman Foundation), proving disruption can breed innovation. By leveraging grief as fuel for reinvention, job loss becomes a pivot point, not an endpoint.

Grief AND Opportunity From Job Loss

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