Squeezing the lemons

"I'm sorry to tell you that your position has been eliminated.”

It was December 11, 2023.

That morning, I received the dreaded meeting invite from my boss. You know the one. The untitled meeting that pops up on your calendar unexpectedly.

I've been laid off 3 times before. I knew what the meeting was about before it started.

Much of the meeting was a blur. But I remember that my boss told me that I'd be getting a severance package and some health insurance coverage.

That was the silver lining to a shitty situation.

I'm proud to say that I kept my calm. I just focused on taking notes.

But I felt like the rug was being ripped out from underneath me.

Later that day, I didn't cry (and I'm a crier). I honestly didn't feel much of anything. Just an empty void.

The first thing I did was collect all of my company swag: T-shirts, sweatshirts, coffee mugs, a backpack. And I threw them all into a trash bag.

Like an ex-boyfriend, I wanted no physical reminder of the company that had just broken up with me.

Next came the digital purge. I unfollowed the company on all social media channels. I deleted the company apps from my phone. I updated my LinkedIn profile.

If they didn't think I was good enough for them, they didn't need to take up any more space in my life.

Moving Forward

Because this was my 4th layoff, I was able to move on pretty quickly. I didn't want to ruminate on the past. I just wanted to focus on what was next.

I also made a critical choice.

I wanted to take this awful situation of a layoff (a lemon, if you will) and do everything I could to turn it into a positive experience:

• Learn new skills

• Improve my health

• Create meaningful relationships

• Determine a new path for financial stability

• Challenge myself outside of my comfort zone

To turn lemons into lemonade.

Why I started Layoff Lemonade

This newsletter is for anyone who:

• Has felt like they were duped by their company

• Has felt directionless about what their next career path looks like

• Has felt depressed and alone because your title, and thus your identity, was stripped from you

I've been this person. I see you.

When your friends, family, and former coworkers don't know how to support you, I'm here to be your support system when you need it most.

I want to be the voice for you that I've been searching for, but still haven't found.

My goals:

• Provide actionable advice and ideas to propel you forward.

• Help you to discover the possibilities of what can be next for your career.

• Lift you up to stay positive. To make you laugh when you just want to cry.

I hope you find comfort and solace here. Some rays of sunshine during this dark time.

Let's get started on making that lemonade. 

Big hugs, Jenny

P.S. What are you looking to learn from this newsletter? I’d love to hear from you! I reply to every email.