Soul Searching After Being Laid off
The email arrives in your inbox, or maybe it’s a calendar invite for an unexpected meeting. You step in, and before you know it, the words "we have to let you go" land in your lap like a weight you didn’t ask to carry. Layoffs aren’t new, but when it happens to you, it feels deeply personal. Your identity, once wrapped in the title, the team, the projects, and the clients, suddenly feels unmoored. So, what now?
The Initial Shock: Let Yourself Feel It
First, let’s acknowledge the gut punch. It’s normal to cycle through emotions—shock, anger, sadness, relief, or even excitement. Give yourself the space to process. Many creatives spend years pouring themselves into their work, making it more than just a job. When that’s suddenly taken away, it’s not just a loss of income; it’s a loss of purpose.
Take time to grieve. Go for long walks. Journal. Talk to trusted friends. Remember that while your job was a part of your identity, it was never the entirety of who you are.
Reflection: What Did This Job Teach You?
Once the dust settles, begin asking the tough but necessary questions:
What did I love about my role?
What did I tolerate?
What did I dread?
What skills have I honed that I want to keep using?
What no longer serves me?
Layoffs force us to confront whether we were truly happy in our roles or simply comfortable. Was the job fueling your creativity, or were you running on autopilot? Was the agency culture inspiring, or did it drain you? Honest reflection sets the foundation for your next move.
Redefining Your Creative Identity
Many people in creative consultancies wear multiple hats—designer, strategist, researcher, storyteller. Without a company name behind you, you might wonder: Who am I as a creative? This is the perfect time to reassess your creative identity on your own terms.
Revisit old projects and passion work. What still excites you?
Consider learning something new. Maybe it’s finally time to dive into 3D design, AI-generated art, or branding for social impact.
Start personal projects without client constraints. No better time than now.
Exploring New Paths: The Career Pivot or Freelance Leap
Some people return to another agency, while others explore new directions. If the traditional creative consultancy path no longer feels like the right fit, now is the time to experiment.
Freelancing or Consulting: If you enjoyed the project-based nature of agency life but want more autonomy, freelancing could be your next step.
Brand-Side Roles: Moving in-house can provide creative stability and long-term impact rather than the fast-paced churn of agency work.
Creative Entrepreneurship: Have you been sitting on a business idea? Now might be the perfect time to start building.
A Complete Career Shift: Maybe this is the push you needed to move into a different industry, like tech, education, or nonprofit work.
The Mindset Shift: From Loss to Opportunity
Being laid off is an ending, but it’s also a beginning. It’s a forced reset, an uncomfortable but often necessary pause that can lead to something even better. Many people look back on their layoffs as a pivotal moment that led them toward more fulfilling careers.
This is your chance to recalibrate. To strip away what no longer serves you and rebuild with intention. To find work that aligns with your values, creativity, and aspirations.
You’re not just a title or a job description. You are a creative force, and your best work may still be ahead of you.
So take a breath. Take a beat. And when you’re ready, take the next step forward.
If you need help, I’m here for you.