UnicornGirl7077's journey

This week, I experienced a layoff that I both anticipated and didn't see coming. Over the past few months, our unit had gone through some significant leadership changes, and I had a sense that things were unstable. However, during a recent team meeting, my manager assured us that our team would not be affected, which made me let my guard down. I thought I had some time, maybe until the end of the year, to figure things out. But then, during my usual 1-on-1 this Thursday, I logged in to find my manager and another person waiting for me. It was a shock. I still don't know if my entire team was let go or if it was just me; my manager seemed unaware as well. I had been in my role for less than two years, having started in May. I genuinely enjoyed my job, and for the first time in a while, my mental health felt stable. Looking back, I realize I had been aware that this position might not be my long-term career. There was a clear ceiling, my role was limited in scope, and I wasn't involved in the major projects of my team. I was comfortable, and I had planned to move on in a few years if I didn't receive a meaningful raise. I never expected it would happen so soon and that I would lose control over the situation. On the bright side, I have two years' worth of savings plus a decent severance package, so I should be financially secure for a while. However, the thought of job hunting again fills me with dread. Since starting this job, I've often woken up in the middle of the night, panicking at the idea of going through the interview and onboarding process again. Right now, I feel sick and hopeless about what comes next.