Losing my job wasn’t just about the paycheck—it felt like losing a part of myself. I spiraled into depression without fully understanding why. It brought up old wounds and emotions I had buried long ago, making it difficult to recognize what I was truly feeling. Job grief is real, and it’s okay to feel it.
For years, I had been out of the workforce, and when I finally returned, I took immense pride in contributing to my home. It gave me a renewed sense of worth and purpose. But when I lost my job, that sense of purpose seemed to vanish overnight. Though my husband was incredibly supportive, and I believed I had made peace with my situation, life had other plans.
Not long after, my husband lost his job too. At first, I wasn’t too worried—I assumed he would find something quickly. Little did we know, this would become one of the most stressful times in our lives. As months passed without him securing employment, the weight of our circumstances became unbearable. It wasn’t just financial stress—it was an emotional unraveling.
I didn’t realize it at first, but I had fallen into a deep depression. I wasn’t just mourning the loss of my job; I was mourning the life we once had, the stability we had worked so hard to build. And the hardest part? We were both struggling in the same household, trying to navigate our emotions while still being there for each other and our family.
Even when things slowly started to improve, I remained frustrated and angry. I blamed myself for not fixing the situation, for not being able to protect my family from the hardship. I had always been the problem solver, the one who found a way forward. And yet, here I was, stuck. I didn’t realize how much this grief was affecting me and the energy of my home.
It took time, self-reflection, and the support of those around me to shift my perspective. I had to learn to give myself grace, to recognize that my worth wasn’t tied to my job or my ability to fix everything. Through this process, I found gratitude—not just for the struggle, but for the lessons it brought me. I realized that job loss doesn’t define me, and neither does the grief that comes with it.
Job grief is real, and it can deeply impact how we see ourselves. But if we allow ourselves to truly grieve, we can also begin to see the hidden gift behind the loss. It’s a journey, one that requires patience, self-compassion, and the willingness to embrace change. And through it all, we find our way to liberation.
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