I was laid off today after five years at my company. Last night, I checked my work calendar before bed and saw an invite for an "organization update" meeting scheduled for 9:00 AM. I immediately knew what that meant, and it made for a sleepless night filled with anxiety. This is the third or fourth layoff round this year, and I thought I was safe after being promoted back in April. I was wrong. During the call, I received the typical corporate script about aligning with company goals, but I know the real reason is that they’re replacing us with AI. Just last week, I received praise from my director for my work on a high-stakes project, and now I'm left jobless. As soon as the call ended, my laptop access was cut off. It's disheartening to see how disposable we are in corporate America, all for cost-cutting measures. At least I got 10 weeks of severance, but I feel numb and overwhelmed at the thought of job hunting in this tough market. I’m considering taking some time for myself to recuperate, but I’m also looking for support and encouragement. The idea of going back to retail is daunting, especially with AI taking over many roles in my field. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this.