15 Ways to Cope with Job Transition or Loss

Job transitions are their own kind of special stress, to say the least—whether they’re due to a new job, extra hours required for work, a layoff, or because other workers were laid off or due to company restructuring. We all have been there; I can personally tell you I have many times over; at first, it was hard for me, but after a while, I learned that nothing is permanent therefore adopting an open mindset of growth through the pain, losses, discomfort, or transition by meeting each situation as is but with preparation and new insights. No blaming, self-defeating thoughts, or self-doubts.

 

If you are facing a transition or a loss, consider the following:

 

1. Reflect and review. Take inventory of your strengths, weaknesses, and skills. What kind of influence did they have, positively or negatively, in your transition?

 

2. Focus on self-care. Significant changes are emotionally and physically taxing. Boosting your self-care is needed now more than ever. Getting a massage, mindful practice meditation, or journaling, to name a few, to help kick start your self-care routine.

 

3. Explore and engage with curiosity. Look to identify things that went wrong or right? What could you have done better? What worked well?

 

4. Focus on what matters and less on what doesn’t serve you anymore. Keep your eye on the prize and stay motivated.

 

5. Look for support. Your transition affects your family, so it may be better to seek friends or professionals outside support.

 

6. Be mindful of your thoughts. Reinforce your sense of hope and happiness by calming your fears.

 

7. Take action. Get yourself back in the game, refine your resume, practice interviewing, update your professional profile, and upskill if possible. And when possible, even consider a career shift if needed.

 

8. Create a daily plan. That should include job search, exploring sites for companies of interest, networking with past colleagues, peers, or managers. Reach out to recruiters, ask for referrals and connections, gather references and notify your network that you are looking for new opportunities

 

9. Reassure (or avoid) those who are not thrilled, threatened by, or jealous of the change.

 

10. Create your own rite of passage. Ceremony and ritual help with all transitions.

 

11. Let go of how things were “supposed to be” and accept “how things are.” Find appreciation for what is.

 

12. Keep things in perspective. Or try on a new perspective. Don’t get stuck or let yourself be overtaken by negative emotions. Remember, the only constant changes.

 

13. Stay open. The best thing you can do for yourself is to remain open to the possibilities. While this may seem hard to do at first, especially if someone lost their job most times amid despair and chaos, the whole picture becomes complete later where the very thing that happened to you turns out to be blessings in disguise.

 

14. Stay grounded and centered. Use meditation and journaling to help you sort out your feelings of anxiety, fear, or stress, find refuge in spending time in nature getting fresh air, long walks to clear your head. Freaking out won’t be the answer; staying calm and centered for clarity of thoughts and a better outcome is key.

 

15. When all else fails. Stay busy volunteering at a shelter, library, or join non-profit fighting for a better cause than yourself helps you keep things in perspective. Putting your skills to good use can fill the gap during unemployment and be helpful as a new reference. For what it’s worth, You never know who you might run into that could help get you closer to your job potential.

 

In summary, job transition or job loss, for whatever the reasons are, can be stressful and filled with uncertainty; however, keeping things in perspective is key to overcoming setbacks and staying resilient. Job loss can be an additional source of worry and stress on family dynamics and financial strains. I hear you; I see you, but from a personal experience, your sources of help and grace come unexpectedly when you least expected. Stay open, positive, and grateful the universe will provide. And remember, no small income is too small; doing something is better than none.