I don’t usually talk about my work life so much here on A Pinch of Healthy. But something happened last week that is pretty life-changing. It would be awkward to not talk about it. So I decided to share it with you guys:
I got laid off from my day job.
It is still surreal to type that out in black and white! And unfortunately, I know that at least some of you know exactly what that feels like.
This is my first *official* brush with job loss. In years past I have worked at other companies that were bought by a bigger company, and we knew that our jobs would eventually be going away (like three-months-or-more-down-the-road kind of thing). But I was lucky to be able to find other employment rather quickly.
Not this time! I found out last Friday, and my last day will be this coming Friday. I did get a severance package, which is helpful. So I will have a few weeks of extra pay to help with the transition.
Right at this moment I am feeling pretty numb, and I am just still trying to process things. It wasn’t a total shock. The company has been going through a lot of transition as a result of a merger that happened two years ago. There was a lot of reengineering and reorganization going on. Even so, it hit me hard in the gut to hear those official words.
You want to hear some corporate irony!? Just three weeks prior I won a corporate excellence award for some work I did, which was kind of a big deal. And three weeks later…BUH-bye. That is so typical of large corporations! And I don’t mean that in any sort of disparaging way. It’s just the nature of things these days.
I actually have no bitter feelings toward my employer. It is truly just the nature of working for any big company in Corporate America. Most of them are at-will type employment situations where either party can end the employment arrangement at any time, for any reason. And loyalty is almost non-existent. It is what it is.
I still don’t mention my employer by name here either. I stand by that it was a good place to work in my three years there. There is a small change that I could find something else internally, but I am not counting on it.
Several people have asked me if I will be blogging full-time now. Well, I guess I sort of am by default (<- i.e., I have no other employment). I will continue to build my blog as much as I can, and I will use it to try and find other potential work.
I would LOVE to be able to support my family through blogging, but I am just not to that level yet. I will be working to grow and improve. But I will still be posting for other full-time work too. Because I have these guys counting on me.
I guess my main point in sharing this is to encourage you all (and myself!) to embrace the game-changers. Game-changers can be sudden and completely out of our control. But they can also set us free. And they can also lead to better things.
Dealing with the uncertainty in the present can be a challenge. But I remain (1) hopeful and (2) thankful for my many blessings.
I am thankful for the time at my (former) employer, the people I met and the things I learned there.
I still would appreciate your prayers, though!
Have you ever lost your job?
What about game-changers? How do you embrace them?
Jennifer says
I’ve been MIA a bit lately and I totally missed this post. I’m so sorry to hear about your job. Since I’m late to the game, hopefully you are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel by now. 🙂
Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says
Thank you Jennifer. I am still exploring options, so we’ll see how it all shakes out.
Carolyn Fernandez says
So sorry to hear this news, Marjorie! Our family has been through job loss twice in 20 years. Those were both very scary times, but we came out in a better place. Lifting you up in my prayers! I hope that soon you will find a silver lining in this, and an even better situation for your family <3
Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says
Thank you so much for the prayers and encouragement Carolyn!
Delicious Meets Healthy says
Sorry to hear that, Marjorie! I believe the Lord will provide, and may be this is the best time to get your blog to the next level and grow fast doing it full time. 🙂 I m sure one day when you look back you may realize that this situation was a blessing! 🙂 Prayers for your family!
Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says
Thank you – I hope so! 🙂
Kristy @ Southern In-Law says
Oh no! 🙁 Big hugs to you, lovely lady – being laid off is definitely tough, but especially when it comes out of nowhere!
I’ll be praying that either the perfect job comes up for you – or that you find yourself in a situation where you’re able to blog full time! Who knows where this will lead you – keep your head up! Xx
Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says
Thanks so much Kristy. 🙂
Julie Jones says
So sorry to hear that! I wish you lots of luck in finding a new job soon. Praying for you <3
Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says
Thank you Julie. 🙂
Sarah says
Sorry to hear this. I got laid off in 2013, but it ended up being a blessing. I got a new, better job very quickly, and I hope that you have the same luck.
Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says
Thanks Sarah! I hope I have the same luck as well.
Sarah Puleo says
That’s so hard- hoping things normalize quickly.
Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says
Thanks so much Sarah. I hope so too.
amanda simmons says
Sorry you are having to go through this. My job is moving to another state by the end of next year so I know at that time I will be without a job. At least I do have time to look for another job but still so stressful since I had planned on being at this job for a long time. Good luck with your job hunt!
Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says
Thanks Amanda! Good luck to you as well. I have been in a similar situation to yours. It WAS stressful, and I was thankfully able to find work quickly. Hopefully something will work out this time too.
Staci @ anewstaci.blogspot.com says
I got really disgusted last week. I have a certificate degree in Medical Transcription. Because of the new health laws, everyone is required by law to go to digital readout transcription. I basically found out I can never be an MT again. 🙁 I did MT work from 1999 to 2005 and loved it! I have good grammar and spelling, and my typing speed is good. I was able to do MT from home. There is no way I can go into the work force at this point with 4 children that I homeschool, so a job from home is essential. We could really use some extra income, but it feels impossible to find anything at this point. I am really sorry you lost your job, but you’re right – that’s corporations for you! Getting a severance package, though, is such a blessing!
Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says
It is a blessing. I am sorry to hear about your situation too Staci. Love and prayers to you and your family.
lynn says
I am very sorry to hear that! However, I totally believe that when the Lord closes one door, He WILL open another. Definitely will be praying for you and your sweet family.
Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says
Thank you so much Lynn. I ultimately believe that too, although the unknown is still a little scary at this point. I appreciate your prayers and kind words.