#66: Finding a Way Forward When Life Hits Hard
After setbacks and relentless effort, sometimes survival means taking it hour by hour—one small step at a time.
Laid Off Life is a place of respite for the weary workforce. Whether you’re unemployed, underemployed, or just trying to make it through the workday, let this be your 5-minute mental break from the grind of late-stage capitalism.
Finding a Way Forward When Life Hits Hard
Post-election, I feel dazed, wrung out, splattered, run over. But you don’t need yet another person spewing their thoughts while you’re processing your own. There’s a lot to process.
What I will share my thoughts on is how to keep moving forward when you find yourself slamming into barriers over and over.
In one of my former apartments, a bird visited every day. Actually, "visited" may not be the right word. The bird flew full speed into my window again and again, day after day after day.
I would watch and wonder, “When will it learn? When will it stop trying?”
For those of us who’ve been laid off, pushed out, or disenfranchised in our careers, we can probably relate to that bird right about now.
Nearly two years post-layoff, and I still haven’t been able to find solid ground beneath my feet. Honestly, I’m exhausted. The energy needed to grieve my job, mourn the demise of my industry, apply for endless positions, get my hopes up and then dashed over and over, start a business, work on creative projects, scrape together a living, fight for health care coverage, stay positive, and stay motivated—it’s left me feeling a bit like Elizabeth Sparkles at the end of The Substance.
I always try to bring my optimism and fighting spirit to this newsletter, to my career, to every project and every client. Because that’s what’s required of me. Of all of us, really. To keep going, keep fighting, keep pressing forward, giving it our all, even when we’re flying at full speed into closed windows. Finding the strength to keep going when the world seems like it’s all brick walls glass ceilings, closed windows, and locked gates—that’s what true bravery and courage look like.
Nothing is promised or guaranteed. The world owes us nothing. But we owe the world our gifts and talents. Figuring out how to use them—where they’re most wanted and needed—can feel insurmountable. But maybe that’s the assignment.
For anyone feeling shut out, I’m right there with you. Right now, I’m taking it hour by hour, focusing on just one step at a time. No big picture. No grand plans. No ambitious goals. Just any forward motion I can manage. And I’m reminding myself — and you — that’s enough.
The Results Are In…
The LOLers voted and you want me to write about How People are Landing Jobs Right Now. I am in the process of crowdsourcing for this piece. If you have recently-ish landed a new job, I would love to hear your hiring story, including the following:
How long were you on the market?
How did you hear about the job?
Did you cold apply or have a contact at the company?
Were you working as contractor and got converted?
How long did it take from interview to offer?
How many rounds of interviews did you go through?
Did you have to do a presentation?
Anything else important to know?
You can remain anonymous if you wish.
Worthy Time Wasters: The Holiday Movie Edition
Here are my recs to combat doom scrolling.
🎥 🎄🕎 The season is upon us! Those of you who know me know I LIVE for the holiday season. My alter ego Elfowicz is ready to make an appearance, no matter what challenges or disappointments this year may have brought. I'm not saying you should escape from reality, but if an infusion of uncomplicated joy is what you’re after, I won’t judge. For me, it means gearing up for a serious holiday movie marathon!
I kicked off the season with Meet Me Next Christmas (Netflix), which was packed with plenty of silly holiday romance fun including a lip sync ball.
The New York Times wrote a piece about the new “sexy Christmas” movie trend being embraced by Netflix and Lifetime. Forthcoming sexy Christmas titles include Hot Frosty (Netflix, Nov. 13) about a widow that falls in love with a snow man come to life ☃️, The Merry Gentlemen (Netflix, Nov. 20) billed as a holiday/Magic Mike mashup, and A Carpenter Christmas Romance (Lifetime, Dec. 21) use your imagination. I’m in!
A other new holiday titles on my watch list include:
A Sudden Case of Christmas (Prime Video). An all-star cast and a trip to Italy. DONE and DONE!
Three Wiser Men and a Boy (Hallmark, Nov. 23), a sequel to the Hallmark instant classic, Three Wise Men and a Baby.
Our Little Secret (Netflix, Nov. 27). I’ll watch any Lindsay Lohan movie. Don’t care what the plot is.
Nutcrackers (Hulu, Nov. 29). Ben Stiller+holiday movie = YES.
Holiday Touchdown (Hallmark, Nov. 30), which is the Taylor Swift/ Travis Kelce-inspired Christmas love story.
Have a question, suggestions, or thoughts? Message me!
Have thoughts about what you read, have suggestions for future topics, or a question you want me to answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from readers.
Become a paid subscriber!
This newsletter is a reader-supported publication. If you enjoy Laid Off Life, consider becoming a paid subscriber. In honor of the impending sweater weather, subscribe now and receive 50% off an annual membership.
Great reminder to take things hour by hour and not get overwhelmed by the unknown. Also, I saw this article on Ghost Jobs and thought of our recent conversation. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/22/ghost-jobs-why-fake-job-listings-are-on-the-rise.html
Not the substance spoiler!! This inspired me to take it hour by hour and watch the substance RIGHT NOW. Looking forward to your next one!!