What I Wish I Knew Before Losing My Job | Layoff 2025

My First Layoff Experience [0:05]

• Layoffs can happen to anyone at any time, leaving individuals feeling lost, shameful, and uncertain about their next steps.
• The narrator describes their first layoff experience after Thanksgiving, noting a premonition due to organizational instability and previous team reductions.
• The manager’s unusually nice demeanor preceded the layoff announcement, followed by an offer of recommendations and potential internal openings.
• The immediate reaction was feeling frozen and overwhelmed by the decision between staying with the company or immediately seeking a new job.
• A long walk after the layoff brought a mix of emptiness, betrayal, and a strange excitement, which was attributed to an expectation that a layoff might happen.

"I got laid off just like you. I never thought this could happen to me."

The "Fake" Layoff and a Moment of Preparation [04:19]

• The narrator recounts a previous instance where 150 people were laid off without prior notice, causing panic.
• Despite not initially believing they would be affected, the narrator's account was disabled, leading to the realization they were laid off.
• This "fake" layoff, later explained as a technical mistake, served as a blessing in disguise, providing a moment to prepare for future job loss.
• The experience solidified a resolution: if laid off again, the narrator would not return to traditional employment but would work for themselves.

"I couldn't sleep that night, but it was a blessing in disguise. Not because I actually didn't get laid off, but because I had a had a moment to prepare for a layoff."

Reframing Layoffs: Becoming the Main Character [06:31]

• A key insight is that individuals can be abandoned or let go, making them side characters in their own lives if they don't take control.
• The narrator realized this after the "fake" layoff and was prepared for the subsequent layoff, viewing it as an opportunity for a new adventure to become the main character.
• This perspective shift encourages looking at one's life circumstances differently when a layoff occurs.

"Always keep in mind that you can be abandoned, that you can get let go, that you won't have a choice but will be decided for by others, that you are not the main character but a side character of your life."

The Dual Nature of the Nine-to-Five Job [07:12]

• The narrator admits to being a "coward" for a long time, staying in unfulfilling situations for a comfortable paycheck, despite feeling something was missing.
• While acknowledging the benefits of a nine-to-five job, such as providing a stable income for rent and savings, especially when moving to a new country, the job consumed time without fulfillment.
• The desire for well-spent time and work-life balance led to the realization that a paycheck doesn't have to be tied to traditional employment.
• Creating one's own paycheck, rather than receiving one for working for someone else, became a new goal.

"But the nine-to-five job was consuming my time without providing any fulfillment. I constantly questioned the purpose of it other than the income."

The Reckless Move and Manager's Encouragement [10:19]

• A few months before the layoff, the narrator made a "stupid but lucky" move by expressing their true feelings about the corporate job to their manager.
• This honesty about not caring about the company compared to personal happiness was acknowledged as a potentially reckless move.
• The manager shared his own passions and responsibilities, advising that if the time felt right, the narrator should pursue their own aspirations, as life’s responsibilities only increase over time.

"He was right. I will never have this moment back."

Taking the Leap: Reasons to Go For It [11:26]

• The video emphasizes that if one is in a position to take a leap (e.g., saved money, supportive family, no mortgage), they should seize the opportunity.
• It is crucial to look for reasons to allow yourself to take a leap rather than reasons why you shouldn't.
• There is no perfect time to make a change; the only time is when you decide to make it.
• The fear of failing can be overcome by considering that even if the venture doesn't work out, the learned experiences will be valuable for future endeavors.

"There's no perfect time. There's only the time that you decide."

The Decision to Take a Break and Embrace the Future [13:39]

• After the layoff and a long walk, the narrator decided against immediate interviews and opted for a long break.
• This break is intended for spending time with loved ones and potentially exploring new ventures.
• The video frames this period as life’s way of signaling readiness for something new.
• The ultimate message encourages viewers to think about what a layoff truly means to them and to consider it an opportunity to write a "hero story."

"Hold on tight. We are just about to write a hero story."