I recently experienced a layoff from my job, and it hit me hard. In that moment, I felt my chest tighten and my thoughts spiraled out of control. It was overwhelming, and I realized my body was reacting to the threat of losing my job, even though it wasn’t a physical danger. It’s strange how our nervous system can’t differentiate between a layoff and real danger; it just knows that something significant has been taken away. People tell you to think positively, but that’s not easy when your body is already in a state of panic. I had to remind myself that losing my job doesn’t mean I’ve lost who I am. I took a moment to close my eyes and reflect on a time when I felt truly myself, outside of my job title. I thought about the simple joys, like a quiet morning or the smile on a friend’s face when I walked into a room. I know I’ll drift back into negative thoughts, but I’m trying to practice returning to that feeling of being whole. I’m learning to ask myself smaller questions about what I can do in the next hour instead of overwhelming myself with what I’ll do with my life. When I feel that nagging thought that I wasn’t good enough or that my layoff reflects something wrong with me, I try to challenge it. I remind myself that layoffs often come down to numbers and budgets, not my worth as a person. It’s painful, but I need to carry forward the understanding that I am still capable and valuable beyond my job. I’m working on staying connected to that feeling of joy and self-worth, even as I navigate this difficult time. I know I’ll be okay because that part of me is still here, waiting for me to reconnect with it.