How to get your life back after you get laid off

There’s no way around it — getting laid off hurts. You’re angry, scared, your financial health is suddenly up in the air, and your self-esteem took a big hit right when you need to hang onto it most.

Maybe you saw it coming, or maybe you feel like you got the rug pulled out from under you; either way, you’re not alone. Historic mass layoffs are sweeping through the white-collar workforce and show no signs of slowing down as the era of AI-induced cuts continues.

To recover from a layoff, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. But after the dust settles, something else begins — a chance to start fresh.

Some people use the time off to take their side hustle to the next level. Alex Marshall, who worked in fintech, became a full-time music content creator, and Raheel Khwaja, who had always dreamed of a long career at Microsoft, now invests full-time.

Some recently laid-off workers told Business Insider that they took the time off to pivot entirely into a new industry. Former software engineer Tabby Toney transitioned to blue-collar work by enrolling in welding courses, while former Meta producer Scott Goodfriend became a food tour guide.

The reality of job loss is difficult both financially and personally, and how you cope with a layoff is entirely up to you. But these stories show that even though layoffs can feel like an ending, they can also be the start of something better.