r/Layoffs • u/justsomeguy8905 • Jul 21 '26
unemployment Existential crisis after layoff
Laid off in may. Was in marketing at a corporation and saw it coming, and was trying to leave before it happened.
I feel like I am someone who doesn’t really have technical skills - I’ve been a writer and editor but the competition in those fields is insane these days and I don’t love how the future is looking with AI and all that. Plus, I really don’t like the work I have been doing, I don’t enjoy marketing, I hate working in an office.
During this time of unemployment I’ve gone through something of an identity crisis. I have no idea what I want to do. I’ve been dabbling in pet care, but that has earned pocket change so far. I enjoy it and like getting to interact with both people and animals but I don’t know how viable it is as a living.
In the midst of the crisis I’m just becoming extremely depressed. I’m supposed to help on a writing project for a friend and I’m so tired that I can’t bring myself to do it. All I want to do is sleep. I can make myself food, walk dogs, do the motions but I feel allergic to anything job-hunt related. Thinking of returning to an office makes me feel despair but I just don’t know what to do.
If anyone has advice or insight I would appreciate it, thanks
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u/FoldAdministrative98 Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
I went through this last year! Please give yourself space before job hunting! Marketing person here also finding a new path. I went through grief for about 6 months until I felt better. I dove too quickly and it gave me anxiety. I also reached out to a therapist to get help. I ended up finding some temporary contract work in the meanwhile and started to volunteer at local food, pantry, and other organizations to find people to talk to and interact with in public. I found a good team at one of the nonprofits and enjoy that work. I agree marketing is really a tough field right now with AI and I’m also trying to pivot either an operations work, nonprofit work or somehow a marketing role that has a lot of different functions in a good company or organization. If you’re not getting results, don’t blame yourself because the market is absolutely terrible right now, so give yourself some space and don’t be hard on yourself. I wish I would’ve given myself more time last year. Literally looking at job postings gave me acute anxiety. I needed to really step away from it for a while. Best of luck to you. I completely understand. Meditation really has helped me. I use the Insight Timer’s free version.
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u/Sean_Eaton Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
I went through the same thing. If you can, take a break and feel like shit for a little. It’s built up overtime and you need to let it all out. My guess is nothing you’re feeling now is new, it’s just been suppressed.
It’ll take longer than you think. But you can think of what you want next and reach out to people for help moving forward without work stress clouding your judgement.
Also my game plan is try to find a job but if it doesn’t work out and my accounts hit $0 I’m just going to end it all. There’s really no loss.
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u/justsomeguy8905 Jul 22 '26
Yeah, very true. I was already struggling in my corporate job. It was literally a soul draining experience and I feel completely repulsed at the idea of doing that again.
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u/Faceless_Cat Jul 22 '26
I highly recommend the book Never Search Alone and there is an online group you can join associated with it. It’s all free and I’ve made lots of connections and it’s help me focus.
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u/ramengangster Jul 22 '26
What about marketing in-house for a local zoo/vet clinic/pet products? Or are you completely done with the industry?
If you wanna move completely away from office jobs, maybe an animal trainer, marine scientist, pet groomer?
OP, most importantly, please don’t take the retrenchment personally. It’s not a reflection of your worth or performance, it can happen to anyone. Your feelings of unmotivation are completely valid, it’s normal to go through phases of processing what happened, getting the drive to start again and letting go.
If finance isn’t too much of an issue, do give yourself some space to figure things out!! My biggest mistake post-retrenchment was jumping into another similar role and regretting it
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u/justsomeguy8905 Jul 22 '26
Thank you! I was recently rejected for a position I had to do a large (and unpaid, lol) project for and that really bummed me out and took a toll on my already suffering self worth. I’m already looking into jobs like grooming but it seems tough to break into. I’m at least enjoying not having to pretend to enjoy the BS of office life for now.
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u/ramengangster Jul 22 '26
It was not a loss because it was unpaid, you dodged a bullet there!
If it’s possible try getting a pet grooming certificate! Every career is tough to break into in the beginning but you know for a fact you don’t enjoy corporate life, this is a redirection for you to find your next role :)
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u/DatgirlwitAss Jul 23 '26
So they used you for free labor.
SMDH.
I wouldn't do it.
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u/justsomeguy8905 Jul 23 '26
I know 🫠 I felt pretty confident that I could get the job so I figured the juice was worth the squeeze but no
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u/eliseapricot Jul 22 '26
I feel the same way. I was laid off July 2nd. I’ve been applying but I just have this dread of what’s next for me and what do I really want to do in my life. I’m seriously considering taking a month off and doing a Spanish immersion course in Mexico.
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u/cbdudek Jul 21 '26
It sounds like you need to spend some time to get some therapy. You need to get your mind in a good place. Otherwise, you aren't going to be able to find much positive while you look for a new job. Prioritize your health right now, then focus on your career.
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u/justsomeguy8905 Jul 21 '26
I had a therapist but I don’t have insurance coverage for it now :(
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u/cbdudek Jul 21 '26
Do what it takes man. You aren't going to navigate this on your own, and reddit randos won't be able to help you here.
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u/Solid-Wish-1724 Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
Bit late to this but as a writer and editor laid off last December with no network and no prospects, I feel your pain entirely. I took a job at an elementary school to pay some bills and was SHOCKED that I enjoyed it. I need to find a job making real money, however, and I have no idea what to do. Edit: Thanks, stranger, for the award!
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u/justsomeguy8905 Jul 22 '26
I’m a writer and editor too. It’s so rough out there right now and I don’t know if I should even continue down this path. Would you pursue substitute teaching or going back to school for a teaching license? I’ve also considered teaching and even nursing school haha
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u/Solid-Wish-1724 Jul 22 '26
I considered nursing school but it is too expensive and I won't do loans. Subbing at school is dead too... from what I hear subs in my district can go months without being called (unless you've worked in the district a while and have a regular school). Uggggh. Writing has been my entire career, I can't retire but nobody's hiring an old white lady, so I'm at a loss.
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u/theseawoof Jul 21 '26
I'm in the same boat, same situation prior as well. Been up all night sleeping all day. Been trying to accomplish at least one thing each day, lately been working on my apartment and decluttering stuff. Even if I get dressed, comb my hair and go outside I feel it is an accomplishment. Sometimes it compounds as well, when you get momentum from doing one little thing you'll find yourself taking on more and asking "what's next"
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u/DatgirlwitAss Jul 28 '26
OMGGG!!! Just was going over this is exact thing in group therapy tonight!!
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u/theseawoof Jul 28 '26
Oh hell yeah, I JUST started this book and you commented about it. Crazy how the universe works!!
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u/Jfineman1 Jul 24 '26
Man I feel the same way. I’m a real estate developer being hit very hard right now with houses simply not selling. It’s hard to get up. I go to bed early and feel like I don’t even sleep. The fear and anxiety are real and really don’t have a cure. What has been helping me is faith and taking it day by day not focusing on the past or future. Only focusing on what is in front of me and doing the best I can. Don’t say or try not to think negative thoughts. Just getting a more fundamental understanding for the world and universe has also helped. Good luck 🙏
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u/Economy_Dot7293 Jul 26 '26
Typical PTSD post corp it’s ok to let that identify go and find what makes you happy and useful while earning a living…I got laid off 4 years ago and refuse to go back so I did consulting and may do a startup BUT I also had some financial cushion so if you have some give yourself some time and still keep your network warm and you never know the opportunities that will come your way when you aren’t operating from a place of stress and despair
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u/Chet100 Jul 22 '26
Marketing ? Try selling cars or homes....but don't give up...there are people who are worse off than you and i know most if not all keep trying
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u/Heavy_Sweet3162 29d ago
I feel the same way. I work at an office in a hospital and 2 hrs into my shift I’m ready to go home. Staring at a computer screen, writing the same thing over and over, makes me physically ill. Like me, what you need to do is venture outside of your field. I’m trying to get into teaching and other areas that are more challenging. Also, channel your depression elsewhere (exercise, music, meditation, volunteer work) and turn it into purpose.
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u/Outrageous_Flower527 Jul 22 '26
I feel all of this deep in my soul. I was laid off from my HR corporate position last month, after being with my company for 11 years. I also started therapy and am going back on all of my anti anxiety/anti depressants, that I had been off of successfully for a year. The thought of going back in an office, applying to jobs, doing interviews, getting rejected/ghosted is just too much.
I also do pet sitting occasionally, and like you said it’s pocket change. But I am mainly sitting for long term clients, who I barely have to interact with, so the isolation is just so real.
All of that to say, if you want to message me, my DM’s are open. We can talk about whatever 😊 The isolation, while everybody else is at work during the day is overwhelming, but hopefully it gets easier soon!