Day 9.5: Self Compassion is Key!

It can be such a blow to your ego to lose your job ... even (and sometimes, especially) when you felt trapped by your work.

There can be such a stigma to being laid off, down-sized or terminated. Historically people who got fired were people who were not very good at what they did. When we are terminated, we carry with us so many judgments of not being good enough or worse, the outcast.

Recently, with the market in a tumble, two friends secretly confided in me that they had been terminated. They didn't want anyone to know. Interestingly, they know each other ... and neither knows the other is out of work.

It is so stressful simply not to have work ... and then, adding the pressure of keeping it hidden can over burden an already taxed nervous system. Perhaps, for various reasons, you need to keep it hush-hush. But, please be compassionate to yourself. Make sure you surround yourself with people who can support you and nourish your spirit.

And, be ready, you might find yourself very tired. Or, conversely, hyper focused. My invitation. Take time for you. Be careful you don't nap your way into a downward spiral of despair. At the same time, be careful not to busy yourself into such a state of denial that you don't take time to assess what you really want.

For today... pamper yourself with a hot bath, a good movie or just time with friends.

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