Hi.
I'm glad you found this.
Maybe the email already came.
The one with the calendar invite.
A short meeting with HR.
And a vague subject line.
Or maybe you're still waiting.
Watching the rumors at work.
Reading every all-hands clues.
for
Either way...
let's take six minutes for your body first.
The thinking can come after.
Put both feet flat on the floor.
Feel them there.
Solid.
Now breathe in, easy...
And breathe out slowly.
Like letting air out of a tire.
Once more.
In...
And slowly out...
Let's be honest about what's here.
There might be shock.
That numb feeling.
Did this really happen?
There's probably money worry.
Rent.
The car payment.
Health insurance, and what happens next.
And maybe some hurt, too.
You gave them years.
Late nights.
Weekends, sometimes.
Let all of it be true for now.
You don't need to be brave today.
You can just be someone...
this happened to.
That's allowed for a little while.
Where does it live in your body?
Maybe a hollow feeling in your stomach.
Maybe your jaw is locked tight.
Or your mind is racing.
Doing math at two in the morning.
That's your body trying to protect It's you.
on high We're alert.
not going to solve anything We're yet.
just going to help it So settle.
you can think clearly.
Press your feet into the floor again.
Feel how it holds you.
Breathe in slowly...
And out...
even slower.
Now let's remember something.
A job is a place you work.
It isn't the whole of who you are.
Think of something you're good at.
Something real.
Something specific.
Maybe you calm down angry customers.
Or you're the one who fixes...
the spreadsheet everyone else breaks.
That skill didn't belong to the company.
It belongs to you.
It walks out the door with you.
Now think of someone you helped.
A coworker you covered for.
A client thanked who you.
That kindness goes with you too.
And so do the people who saw it.
Breathe in...
and say quietly to yourself...
My skills come with me.
Breathe out...
worth My comes with me.
Whatever happens with this job...
those stay yours.
A lot of good people get laid off.
It's often about budgets.
Not about the person.
It still hurts.
But it isn't verdict a on you.
Now let's rest for a few breaths.
No planning.
No math.
Just the rain outside.
And your feet on the floor.
Breathe in...
And out...
The plans will still be there.
Right now, you can just breathe.
Alright.
Let the rain keep going on its own.
Roll your shoulders.
Stretch your hands open.
A slow breath in...
And out.
Here's your next step.
One practical thing, this week.
Open your resume.
Just add your latest role.
And one thing you're proud of there.
One line.
With a real number, if you have one.
Like...
cut response time in half.
It doesn't need to be polished.
You can fix the wording later.
That one line is enough for today.
It's a small thing.
But it turns the fear into a task.
And tasks are easier to hold.
And if the fear gets heavy...
please talk to someone you trust.
Or a licensed professional.
In the US...
you can call or text 988.
Your skills are still yours.
Go write that one line.