I recently experienced a layoff from my job, and it's been tough to escape the constant reminders of it in my daily life. I was already feeling burnt out from the endless leetcode practice, trying to balance that with a social life for my mental health. However, I’ve noticed that in almost every social interaction, the topic of work comes up. People ask about my job, my commute, and return-to-office policies. Each time, I have to explain that I've been laid off, and then I sit through the obligatory condolences. It feels like my identity is tied to my job, and it’s hard to break free from that narrative. I’ve been reflecting on whether this is an American or Silicon Valley issue. In various social settings—whether it’s with friends, family dinners, or even hiking groups—everyone seems to focus on work. I remember seeing a social media post about how people in Europe tend to ask about hobbies and other defining aspects of life, rather than work. I brushed it off at the time, but now I can’t help but think it might be true. Maybe I’m just overly stressed and sensitive to the topic, but it feels like every mention of work is a trigger. I wonder if I'm overreacting, and I’m curious how others have navigated their layoff journeys. Any advice would be appreciated.