I recently experienced a layoff that has really impacted me. I had been with my previous company for 4.5 years, but due to office politics, I had to leave. I was released within just 7 days of joining a new company that promised a salary of 1 lakh as a Job Band. I jumped at the opportunity without waiting for other offers, only to find out that the office location in BLR Prestige Tech Park didn’t exist as promised. Instead, I discovered that I was part of an outsourcing arrangement, working with different vendor teams, and my client lead was not supportive at all. After about a year, I received an email stating that my position was being eliminated due to budget cuts, and it wasn’t a performance issue. This was a hard pill to swallow, especially since I had thought that once I got in, I would be secure. I had a moment of self-realization that maybe I wasn’t the ideal candidate for interviews, but I never expected to be let go so suddenly. In the 24 hours following the news, I tried to stay strong, but there were moments that brought me back to feeling defeated. It’s been particularly tough as I noticed that many of the unmarried employees were laid off, as the organization seemed to think they had fewer responsibilities. On top of that, I’ve been dealing with some health issues related to my kidneys and liver, which adds to the stress of this situation. Despite everything, I’m determined to keep hustling and remain hopeful for better opportunities ahead.