After being laid off three times, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a survival skill. This post shares my real, unfiltered journey through job loss and how each setback helped me come back stronger (and sassier) than before.
Lately, I can’t scroll through LinkedIn or crack open a book without tripping over stories about resilience, grit, and bouncing back. It’s like the universe is holding up a sign: “Hey, pay attention!” And honestly? It hits home. So today, I want to share my own story — the real, unfiltered stuff about getting knocked down at work (three times!) and what happens after.
Yep. I’ve been laid off not once, not twice, but three times. Go ahead, count ’em. The first time? Absolute gut punch. I’d been working since I was 14 — and if you count babysitting, even earlier. But 14 was when I got my first “real” paycheck at the local grocery store’s bakery. (Looking back, not sure what labor laws were doing, but hey, I was a legit employee with a hairnet and everything.)
From that first job on, I’d always done what you’re “supposed” to do: work hard, never get written up, keep my nose clean. My parents raised me to believe you only got fired if you did something truly terrible. So when I was called into the HR director’s office one morning, I got that weird, stomach-dropping “sent to the principal’s office” feeling, but I couldn’t think of a single thing I’d done wrong.
Then came the words: “reduction in force.” My position was eliminated. Boom, just like that. I went home and cried to my husband. Even though I knew I’d done nothing wrong, it still hit like a ton of bricks. Suddenly, you start questioning everything. Did I mess up? Should I have done more? Is there something wrong with me? Hello, imposter syndrome. I felt like a failure, even though I knew, deep down, that wasn’t fair.
After a healthy dose of self-pity, I dusted off my resume and jumped back into the job hunt. Thankfully, I landed something new right as my severance ran out. And guess what? That job wasn’t a fit. Cue layoff #2.
This time, I probably should’ve seen it coming. I liked my boss and director well enough, but let’s just say, if you asked for honest input, you really only wanted it if it matched their opinions. I got a suspicious meeting invite — remote room, different floor — and in my gut, I knew what was coming. They gave me a “choice”: craft a marketing plan they’d judge (gee, I wonder how that would go), or leave with severance. I took the hint, grabbed the severance, and left.
But here’s the difference: I wasn’t full of self-doubt this time. I was angry. I knew my work was solid. I just didn’t fit their agenda. And yeah, it stung even more because both leaders were women. I’d hoped we’d lift each other up. Turns out, not always. But here’s the upside: because I’d been through it once, I knew I could get through it again. It took a while — thanks, COVID — but I eventually found a new role, and this time, it felt like home. I loved the team, the work, the whole vibe. I even dared to think, “I could retire here.”
Cue the universe, cackling. Not long after, I got a meeting invite from a senior director — not my boss, not someone I usually worked with. (If you’ve ever been laid off, you know that random invites from higher-ups are never good news.) Sure enough, I log in to Teams, see an HR title pop up, and my stomach did a full Olympic somersault. Third time’s the charm, right? Another wave of layoffs. I was one of 25 let go that day. This time, it wasn’t personal — just cold, corporate math. And honestly? I wasn’t even mad. Sure, disappointed, but not angry. My boss was blindsided, my coworkers rallied around me, and I actually still wish the company well.
Out came the resume again. The job search is never fun, but I found another role. And here’s what all these layoffs have taught me: Yeah, it hurts. Yeah, you question everything. But each time, I got back up again. And every time I did, I found out I was stronger and scrappier than I realized.
Here’s the thing: I see all those LinkedIn posts from people who’ve been laid off, talking about “new adventures” and “exciting chapters.” And that’s great — I want to be that person! But the truth is, unless you’re sitting on a pile of cash, job loss is scary and stressful and messy. It’s not always a story you’d choose for yourself.
But here’s what I know for sure: The next thing can be even better than the last. Every time I’ve been knocked down, I’ve picked myself up and found something new — and usually, something better. You don’t have to love every minute of being “between jobs.” You just have to trust that you’re resilient enough to bounce back, sass intact.
So here's the takeaway: if you’re in the thick of it right now, know this: You’re not alone. You can get up again. And sometimes, your second (or third, or fourth) act is the one that fits you best.
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