I’m 30, unemployed and moving back home.

I really didn’t think this is where I’d be in my life right now.  By 30 years of age, I thought I’d have a well established career, a house, maybe a marriage and a couple of kids.  I thought I’d finally feel secure.

But my life unraveled much differently than I expected…

I’ve now lost my job for the 3^rd time in a row in just 2 years.  Unemployment deserves as much space on my resume as my professional existence.  I’ve held 6 jobs since college not including my side jobs.  I’m currently renting my 4^th apartment and in a matter of a few short months, I am moving back home with my parents.

Not exactly what I had in mind…

But what is success, really?

I may not be what most people in our society deem as successful.  But what does success mean to most people? Is it the VP title on their email signature?  Is it the money, the cars and the house?  The lavish vacations?  I certainly don’t think so.  Success to me is being true to yourself.  It’s discovering your authentic voice and actually listening to it. The money, houses and vacations will follow if you so desire, as long as you’re being the real, authentic you.

Did you know these icons all lost their jobs at some point in their life?

• Steve Jobs was fired from Apple even though he was the creator
• Walt Disney hopped from one job to another before finding success
• Truman Capote was fired from The New Yorker. The NEW YORKER!
• Oprah Winfrey was let go as a news reporter

It happens to the best of us. It’s not easy, but getting up to try again is where you  find your real strength.  Although many of us identify ourselves with what we do from 9-5, we are NOT our jobs.  That’s why it’s so important to really listen to your gut and do what YOU want to do. If you’re at a crossroads in your career like I am, use this time as an opportunity to go within and reconsider what you want to spend your life doing.

Over several months of my own self reflection and rumination, I finally started listening to my heart. 

It was the only place left for me to go. Yet, it’s always been there.  The core of who I really am.  I have an opportunity to make a serious change in my life.  I chose what I want my future to be.  We ALL have that choice.

Losing your job is one of life’s biggest stressors.  When all hope and confidence is lost, your self esteem plummets.   You feel fearful and lost.  You start believing your doubts and there’s an overwhelming sense of insecurity with the uncertainty of what lies ahead.  It’s normal to experience these emotions as you get over the initial shock of what just happened.  And frankly, it’s necessary.  There is a grieving process that accompanies a job loss.  Don’t ignore it or try and fight it.  Go with it.  Be with it.  Let it do its work and move on.

As you move forward from losing your job, here are 5 things to keep in mind to help you stay afloat:

1) Nothing lasts forever.

This perceived roadblock in your life is temporary.  You won’t be unemployed forever.  You won’t feel the way you do forever either.  Good or bad – everything in this life is temporary. Keep this in mind for all you do!

2) Have no expectations.

If you don’t expect anything, you won’t be disappointed.  Think about the last time you expected something, and how disappointed you were when it didn’t happen. Without being affected by the outcomes that you encounter, you can be more at peace with the general twists and turns of life.  Living your life free of expectations is extremely liberating!

3) Listen to your gut.

It doesn’t lie!  Your gut literally acts as a second brain and reacts similarly in moments of distress as well as happiness.  Stomach ache?  Butterflies?  Listen to it. Intuition is another way of listening to your gut. If it just feels right or wrong, it probably is.

4) Let go. And let go of attachment.

When you stop holding on and let go, you are able to create space in your body and mind for the things that actually serve you.  Letting go of attachments to things and ideas – frees you from suffering.  Where could you let go a little more?

5) Find strength in times of adversity.

Most of our growth occurs as we experience tough times. It’s often hard to see it in the moment, but you will learn from this tremendously and you’ll be better off as a result.

Remember, you are exactly where you’re supposed to be.  Trust your instincts and listen to your gut. You’re not alone in this!

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau

Have you ever lost your job? How did you handle it?

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