The Aftermath

[wahlee]

So, yesterday was the 1-week anniversary of my layoff. I didn't even remember until I was in bed for the night. It's been an interesting week.

And I'm doing fine.

No, really. I'm actually quite surprised at how well I'm taking it. I really have been able to look at this whole thing as a gift, rather than as a misfortune. Of course, who knows how long this will last-- maybe when my savings account starts looking much more meager than it is now. But for now, I'm fine.

Some of it, of course, is because I'm in such a different situation this time around. While the layoff was just as sudden-- or even more so, since I got about 20 minutes notice before I clocked out for the last time-- I've been sort of mentally preparing myself for a while, just in case. I also got 2 weeks of severance pay and all my unused vacation, which I didn't get last time. My unemployment payment will be higher and extend for a longer period of time, since I worked more last year for more pay. I qualify for COBRA, and also for the federal COBRA subsidy, which means I'm guaranteed my current benefits for at least 18 months for only a little more than what I'm currently paying. I still live at home and have relatively few expenses (a student loan and a credit card payment, and that's about it), so I'm not too worried about my finances.

And mentally, I'm just in a much better place. I've been seeing a therapist for several months now, and have been taking an anti-depressant. And when I attended lydaclunas's wedding (which was AWESOME, and which I was in the process of writing about when I got laid off and therefore distracted), I spent the weekend either talking about theology and my thesis with callyperry and Melanie or writing processes with rj_anderson and risiti, or both, I came home ready to GO on my thesis. No, I haven't written anything yet-- I'm still trying to get my room clean so I have a pleasant place to write-- but I've got ideas. I've got plans. I feel a definite need to make my voice heard on this subject. And now I have all the time I need.

Last time, I was so worried about finding a new job that I still couldn't write. This time, I'm not going to worry. I'm going to seize the time I've been given, this wonderful chance to finish my thesis before time runs out, and run with it. I'll apply for jobs, of course, but only the minimum needed to keep my unemployment benefits. If I get one, great. If not-- it's okay. It really is.

Not that I don't miss my job. It was a great job, with great people. Hopefully the powers-that-be who decreed that I had to be let go will come to their senses and realize how much they need me, and I can go back. If not-- there's going to be something around the corner. Maybe even something better. Who knows?

For right now, though, I'm okay where I am. And that's a wonderful feeling-- one I haven't had in a long, long time.

Comments

[connielane.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I'm glad you're doing okay. Well, not as okay as if you still had your job, obviously, but that there's a bright side and that you can be optimistic. And I'm really glad you're getting excited about your thesis.

*cheers you on*

[divinemum.livejournal.com]

Good for you! A positive attitude goes along way when you're thrown for a loop.

You might want to see if you can be exempted from looking for a job while you are writing your thesis. The DH started school last time he was laid off, and he was exempted from the minimum search. His benefits were also extended. This might have only applied to undergrad schooling, but it's still worth looking into.

[alphabet26.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm so glad that if it had to happen, it happened at a good time for you. It's great that you're going to be able to take advantage of this and use it as an opportunity! :D :D

[ljrags.livejournal.com]

Hurray for silver linings :)

[duchessdollydot.livejournal.com]

What a great attitude. I think good things have to come out of that kind of mentality. <3

[frankieb-sq87.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I am SO glad you're doing well and not too stressed about how things are working out. I'm a big believer in everything happening for a reason. . .you just have to wait long enough to figure out what the reason is. :-)