Reflecting on my journey, I can't help but recall the roller coaster of emotions I went through after unexpectedly losing my job. I believe as many of you can relate; I had a myriad of feelings that I was experiencing, such as grief, anxiety, pity, resentment, and loneliness – emotions that were traumatic to my mental state.

Losing my job wasn't just about losing a paycheck (but money was a HUGE factor); it was also about losing a piece of my self-worth, self-identity, and self-confidence in my eyes. The constant cycle of automated rejections (some of those messages were not empathetic at all) and the lack of feedback from job applications further amplified my emotional struggles.

My question to this audience and for folks who have gone through this: how did you navigate stepping into a new role while leaving behind the burdens of past trauma? I want a fresh start in my upcoming role, but a persistent fear lingers in me.