“They love your ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ angle,” my supervisor texted with a grinning emoji. “On the eighth day of Christmas…there was no partridge in a pear tree, but there was a Kia Sorento.” LOL. Another home run! It seemed my idea to weave car models into the carol was just the latest success. It was witty, a touch cheesy, and apparently struck the perfect balance of fun and informative for the client.

Things were finally falling into place. But three months later, the rug was pulled out from under me — I was laid off with no rhyme or reason. Now I was adrift in a heartless job market, with each rejection email a fresh blow.

We all hope for the best, we plan for a secure future… but then sometimes life blindsides us. Such a sudden dismissal can be devastating, leaving us feeling powerless. But what if, amidst the chaos, there’s an opportunity hidden in plain sight?

Coping with the Unexpected: When Change is Forced Upon Us

Change is hard. We are creatures of habit, and adapting to the unexpected can often feel overwhelming. Routine comfort, even when we’re unhappy, can be deceptive. This is especially true after the turmoil of the pandemic, when so many of us simply longed for stability. After a year of searching, landing my copywriting job felt like the first step towards positive change. But when I lost it, I was thrown right back into the uncertainty I’d so desperately tried to escape. Job loss is devastating not only financially but also to our sense of self-worth and control. How could I have built my career on such shaky ground?

But perhaps the universe had different plans for me. I despise the cliché of “bigger plans,” it seems dismissive of the very real pain of job loss. But staring at my termination letter, I couldn’t deny a sense of…something shifting. Maybe this awful experience wasn’t the end. Maybe the only way to get unstuck was to be shoved completely out of my comfort zone, even if I didn’t ask for it. Yes, at times it honestly feels as if unforeseen forces are guiding us through such uncomfortable change.

Beyond Your Job: Discovering Your True Worth

Remember the first rule of Fight Club? “You do not talk about Fight Club.” Well, the unspoken first rule of the working world is “You are your job.” We introduce ourselves by title, let our work stress seep into weekends… but what happens when that fight ends, when you’re suddenly “unemployed”?

Initially, I rejected the absurdity of being made redundant. After all, it was insane… I was a hard worker, diligent, loyal, focused. I’d stayed up late finishing briefs, always strived for perfection… all signs of a “good employee,” right? Wrong. No matter how hard you work, or how conscientious you may be, there is always someone who is not happy, no matter how trivial their reasons may be. I’d confused dedication with self-worth. My job wasn’t me, it was a role, a fight I could lose at any time.

You’re obviously meant for greater things.

It wasn’t until a phone call with a friend that the absurdity of the situation hit me. I was doing the usual post-fired whining we tend to do, feeling sorry for myself and unsure of my future when he said:”You’re obviously meant for greater things,” Suddenly, the whole “your job is your identity” mantra felt like a bad joke. If I wasn’t my job title, then who was I?

So, what were those “greater things”? At first, there was just a void. But within that emptiness, I started to rediscover who I was beyond the business card. Skills, passions, and a resilience I never knew I had became more prevalent than ever. Turns out, sometimes the end of a fight isn’t a loss, it’s the start of the next round, where you call the shots.

Navigating the Impact: Unpacking the Consequences of Job Loss

Losing a job is more than financial stress — society teaches us it’s a blow to our worth as a person, that without a job “you’re not good enough.” These kinds of ideals can lead to destructive self-talk: “I’m a loser”, “Who will want me now?” Who hasn’t had those dark thoughts after job loss?

An NLM study in September 2022 showed that job loss directly increased suicide rates, with men and older workers hit hardest. Depression, anxiety, the pressure to appear successful — I felt it all after my layoff. The study highlights a grim reality: job loss affects far more than your bank account. It can worsen existing mental health issues, lead to substance abuse, and increase suicide risk — especially when combined with financial stress and lack of support. Sudden unemployment can also take a serious physical toll, contributing to heart disease and even premature death. Furthermore, this despair can shatter relationships, leading to isolation, and even violence.

“Research shows that increased rates of job loss, financial distress/poverty, and housing loss during economic recessions were associated with increases in suicide attempts and suicide among working-age adults.”

For middle-aged workers, the blow is compounded. Discrimination based on age makes finding a new job a crushing uphill battle. In a status obsessed society, this kind of rejection cuts deep. For me, the rejection felt like a major setback in my career. This led to hopelessness and a loss of control that damaged my self-esteem.

The Path Forward: Finding Your ‘Greater Things’ After Job Loss

What did “greater things” even mean? Empty platitudes, at least that’s what they seemed at first. I thought my goal was the job I’d just lost. But was that all I was meant for?

Here lies the conundrum. Sometimes a job is a way to shine a light on our “greater” talents, either directly or indirectly. When we are in the throes of despair, we often can’t see the forest from the trees. A blessing in disguise sure doesn’t feel like it at the time, but what’s paramount is that you sit yourself down and be honest with yourself:

1. “Have I ever completely thrown in the towel?”
2. “Am I resourceful?”
3. “What have I actually achieved for myself that isn’t work related?”
4. “What are my talents and skills?”
5. And most importantly… “What is it that I truly love doing?”

These are just a few things to ask yourself after being fired. Your boss’s opinion shouldn’t determine your self-worth. That’s up to you. This setback isn’t the end. It’s a chance to discover the path you were meant to be on all along.

A New Path Lies Before You

A new path lies before you. Which road will you choose? Being fired gives you a fresh start. It’s hard to see this at first, so don’t try… allow yourself a week or so to grieve your loss. But it’s time to shift your focus. You’re unshackled from the old routine. You’re free to pursue those dreams you put aside.

What’s important to remember is that time is precious. Don’t let fear hold you back. Our jobs can ultimately become our own ruts, ruts that we don’t even realize we are stuck in, until it’s too late. The trick is to change it up before it’s too late, and that can only come from making the wrong decisions. As Sanhita Baruah once said, “There are no right or wrong decisions, only choices.”

Instead of viewing job loss as the end of the world, see it as a chance to begin again. After I lost my job at the agency, I decided to go back to teaching literature. It may not pay the wealth an advertising copywriter can make, but rediscovering my passion for inspiring young students has made me richer in more important ways.

If your job leaves you feeling powerless, it might be time to reclaim that control. Explore the entrepreneurial path — start your own business, startup, or collaborate on a dream project. What’s the bold career move you’ve always wanted to make?

Take the time you need to reevaluate your direction and seek out opportunities that align with your values. Don’t settle for a job that disrespects your worth. A job loss doesn’t have to be a curse — it can be the turning of a new page in your story.

This article was originally published in The Startup on Medium.