CuriousConfection528's journey

I got laid off from my marketing role at a tech startup in March, and honestly, it was a relief. I had joined the company last year, eager to pivot from my writing background into marketing, but the job quickly revealed itself to be a mismatch. The role was advertised as entry to mid-level, but they expected someone to build things from scratch without any proper training or orientation. From day one, there were red flags. My boss was often absent, and the company culture felt toxic, with an emphasis on long hours and competition. I was overwhelmed with tasks I wasn't trained for, and after my boss went on maternity leave, I was left to figure things out on my own with minimal support. I struggled for half a year, trying to keep things afloat with the help of a consultant, but it was a lonely and miserable experience. When my boss returned, I had just come back from a family emergency, and it felt like everything was stacked against me. I was let go shortly after, and surprisingly, I felt happier than I had in months. The company assured me it wasn't performance-based and offered references, but I don't think I'll need them. Now, I'm collecting unemployment and have some savings to fall back on. The job market is tough, and I've only had one phone screen since being laid off, which was for another role that raised all the same red flags. However, I'm approaching this job search with a sense of apathy rather than desperation, which is a refreshing change for my mental health. I just wanted to share my experience and see if anyone else has felt relief after leaving a bad job.