Friday, February 20, 2009

Anger, denial, bargaining, depression, acceptance

Yesterday, I became a statistic of the times. Like many people across the country these days, I was laid off. Yes, it's true. After 18 years and partnership, my role, as they said, has been eliminated. They call it separation, as if we're going to get back together. It wasn't done with respect or integrity, or even compassion. If fact, it was cold. And it went down that way for 70 people in the company.

I worked for an environmental consulting firm, and I worked in Marketing. In tough times, it's a natural that Marketing will get slashed because Marketing is an expensive endeavor. So, I do understand. However, I am filled with a field of emotions wrestling each other for space and voice. Right now, though, I'm still in shock. The rest will follow.

6 comments:

CreekHiker / HollysFolly said...

Oh Alison!!! I'm SO very sorry this has happened to you!!!

It's so hard out here (My own business is in the toilet and I've been job hunting for months.) and you have a hard road ahead. Just know that is was not personal. It's a numbers game.

My best advice is, while job hunting, do something you love, just for you ever day.

Hang in there...

Anonymous said...

Alison, I am so very, very sorry about this. I guess it is true that this can happen to anyone, because you are the absolute last person (my husband included) that I thought this could happen to. I really thought that "they" were smarter than this. I know that you are a very strong and resourceful person, and will get through this, but I am so angry that this is happening to you. Please let me know if there is anything under the sun that I can do for you.
-sdhb

Unknown said...

My every ounce of spiritual support is coming your way. What a blow and what a cold way to have it presented to you. It's a difficult time for all of us lately and I'm ready for a little more light and hope to appear. Carmon

Linda@VS said...

Alison, I completely understand your shock, and I'm so, so sorry that one more loss has been thrust upon you. It isn't fair to you after being there for such a long time, and I know from experience it will be a life-changing event.

I don't want to diminish what you're feeling now, because those feelings are valid, but I do want to offer a ray of hope, also from experience. Once you get far enough past the shock to do a thorough evaluation of what you liked and didn't like about your job, you'll have a much clearer idea about what you might want to do next. What's more, you're at a point in your life when you have the freedom and (I'm pretty sure) the resources to strike out in any new direction you choose. So, yes, there's a death in a sense, but a rebirth will follow.

I'll stop being so annoyingly Pollyanna-ish now and save the rest for later. I wish you didn't have to go through all the hurt to get to a good safe place again, and I'm glad you have a strong and loyal support network to help you along the way. In the meantime, there's a big, heartfelt hug coming to you from Louisiana.

ghost said...

damn.

Anonymous said...

Wow, just caught up on my blog reading from the weekend and saw this. Don't know what I can add to what everyone else has said. I hope the change will ultimately bring something wonderful and that you can not give up hope until that happens. If I may offer a thin thread of hope, Houston is one of the best economies going, so there are jobs here, though competition is fierce. I have every confidence that you'll find something wonderful quickly, but, if it's alright with you, I'll just go ahead and pray a little for you anyway.

And, as always, if there's something I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask.