Losing a job is emotionally painful and it can be a lonely experience.
It feels isolating and creates so much uncertainty.
I know the devastating impact of losing a job and the emotional and financial toll it takes. I understand what it feels like – because I’ve experienced it. And it wasn’t easy.
The hardest part about losing my job was the doubt that invaded my thoughts like a faithful shadow. I felt like a failure and found it hard to share my feelings with others. Who could possibly feel what I’m feeling? How wrong I was.
Hardships are not easy, otherwise they wouldn’t be called HARDships. But the edges can be softened by sharing what you’re going through with someone who values you. And we’re more likely to put those overwhelming feelings in a more realistic perspective.
Giving voice to what feels scary lightens our inner burden.
Loss of work definitely comes with baggage. But our work alone doesn’t define us. It isn’t our identity. We’re so much more than what ails us and gives us emotional pain.
And it doesn’t take away our character, uniqueness, or value as a person.
Nothing and no one can take that away from us.
I do know one thing about me: I don’t measure myself by others’ expectations or let others define my worth.
~ Sonia Sotomayor ~