Someone once told me that a corporation was a nasty thing to fall in love with, because it will never love you back. The rules of loyalty in the workforce are changing. No one can deny that.
However, knowing this doesn’t change the pain of getting laid off or let go. It hurts. It can wound.
Each of us reacts in one of two ways — either by getting pissed off and hating the company we used to love, or by blaming ourselves in what can be called a state of numbness.
These wounds deserve every bit of healing that we have. However, because our financial situation may depend on sweeping the pain aside and getting another job as quickly as possible, we might need a strategy for getting past this stage.
Speed Coping
For those of you who can’t afford to wait a month to regroup, lick your wounds and find your emotional footing again, I offer these simple speed coping tips:
1. Stop the story. Stop replying the day you got the pink slip. Stop repeating the story that is pissing you off. Instead, replace it with what you need to do right now.
2. Breathe. Calm down. You can never get anywhere if your mind is still in fighting mode or if you’re numb. Wake up in the morning and count 10 breaths. Allow your mind to calm back down.
3. Allow the feelings. Allow the part of you that is angry to be angry — on the weekend when you can afford it. Allow that part of you that is sad or afraid to feel that way… after 5 p.m. when you’ve completed your job search tasks for the day. (Tweet this thought.)
4. Let it out. Find ways to channel the emotion. If you need to punch something, then punch a punching bag. If you want to shout, then shout in the car on the highway. If you feel like crying, then give yourself space to do that. And, when you are done, leave the emotion there.
What are your best tips for handling a career breakup? Share in the comments!
This post originally appeared on Career Enlightenment.
Image: Flickr
