I Lost My Job

[Becky_From_Canada]

Hi all,

Just wanted to check in and let you know that I got laid off day before yesterday. It came as a huge shock. I've been with the company for 6 years and thought I'd be there for much longer.

I'm on a roller coaster - my moods are swinging multiple times each hour. And they are swinging drastically, from one extreme to the other.

I am scared of depression. I know that if the depression hits full force, I will be incapable of any action. So I am trying hard to keep it at bay.

I feel anxious, and I feel like a failure, and this is triggering my PTSD in some unexpected ways.

Becky

 

[safenow]

Hi Becky,

Gentle hugs, if you'll allow them.

I'm glad you are speaking about this. I'm sorry you lost that job, but sugar, there are other jobs out there. if I may ask, what type of skills do you have? Do you live in a city or do you have to travel a long way to get to town? That can make all the difference in getting another one. You know?

Here is what I do when things get me down, such as what you are going through:

Be sure to keep a positivity journal. Write down all the things that uplift you in it and go outside and breathe deep each morning and again in the evening. It will help keep you calm, and mentally in tune with yourself. Cut pictures out of magazines of things that make you feel good. Like mountains or oceans or flowers, that type of thing. Then, put them in that journal. Each morning read what you put down, then add more things that you are grateful for.

When I first started mine, the only positive thing I could think of was Toilet Paper. (Blush). I was so down, I couldn't even remember what up looked like.

I'm proud of you for striving to keep depression at bay. Keep up the good work. And don't forget to breathe.

safenow

 

[dms]

Sorry Becky!

 

[I Can Do This]

Hi Becky - I'm in the same boat with you - and yes it does get PTSD going in a VERY big way. So I understand your fear and this tremendous threat to your existence. This is a terrifying experience that nobody wants to go through. Be gentle with yourself - you did nothing wrong.

I don't know how bad the unemployment rate is in Canada but I do know it is really bad in the US. The jobs numbers that are released each month are way below the truth of the situation. Does Canada have unemployemnt compensation? Your health insurance can't be taken away from you - is that right? If you have that going for you then you are way more blessed than those of us here in the US.

It is true there are other jobs - however in the US there are about 200 people competing for every open position. So I think many people do not grasp the severity of this economic crisis.

Becky I will pray for you that this situation is short lived and that you come away from it with something precious. You don't deserve it but I hope something good comes from it.