Month 1: Laid Off – Now What?

The calendar invite came on a Thursday afternoon. Twenty-eight years in corporate America — gone in a 30-minute call. I sat there stunned, trying to process what had just happened.

The first few weeks were pure panic mode. I updated my résumé, refreshed my LinkedIn, applied to dozens of jobs, and took every interview that came my way. After nearly three decades in enterprise technology leadership, I thought the “logical” next step was to find another corporate role.

Then one morning I woke up and asked myself the question that changed everything:

“Why am I rushing back into the same system that just let me go?”

That single question cracked the door open to a completely different path. Instead of searching for another job, I started imagining what it would look like to bet on myself.

What I’m Learning in These Early Days

Feeling lost is normal. It doesn’t mean you’re failing — it means you’re transitioning.
Support often shows up in the moments you need it most.
Betting on yourself doesn’t require having all the answers. It only requires taking the next small, brave step.

This is just the beginning. The road ahead is uncertain, but for the first time in a long time, it also feels full of possibility.

You’re not alone in this journey. Whether you’re still in the fog of a recent layoff or quietly wondering if there’s something more for you — I see you.

→ Read Month 2: Research Mode, Spouse Brainstorms & The Big Decision